Patents by Inventor John C. Holman

John C. Holman 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: 11911058
    Abstract: Surgical forceps can include a drive pin an outer tube, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an inner tube. The outer tube can define a longitudinal axis. The first jaw can be pivotably connected to the outer tube. The first jaw can include a pair of flanges located at a proximal portion of the first jaw, where each flange can include a track receiving the drive pin. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can include a pair of arms extending from a distal portion of the inner tube. The drive pin can be securable to the pair of arms. The inner tube can be translatable within the outer tube to drive the drive pin along the tracks to move the second jaw between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanam Pham, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Theodore C. Blus, Jeffrey D. Holton, Thomas J. Holman
  • Patent number: 10781971
    Abstract: An autofill shutoff valve includes a valve body mounted to a lubricant reservoir and secured to a fill tube extending into the reservoir. The autofill shutoff valve has a valve stem extending through the valve body and into the lubricant reservoir. The valve stem is actuated by a plate disposed within the reservoir from a first position, wherein lubricant flows from a lubricant inlet to a lubricant outlet through the valve body, to a second position, wherein the valve stem blocks the flow of lubricant through the valve body. The autofill shutoff valve provides lubricant directly to the reservoir, thereby eliminating external plumbing and the autofill shutoff valve also prevents overfill of the reservoir by cutting off the flow when the reservoir is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Mike V. Atkinson, Brandon T. Gustafson, Benjamin J. Paar
  • Patent number: 10774988
    Abstract: A vent valve for an actuator disposed in a lubricant reservoir includes a bore extending through the plate, a seal disposed within the bore proximate a top surface of the plate, a retaining member extending about a lower opening of the bore, and a ball disposed within the bore between the seal and the retaining member. The vent valve is configured to allow air to pass from a lower portion of a lubricant reservoir as lubricant fills the lower portion. The vent valve also allows air to pass to the lower portion of the lubricant reservoir as lubricant is dispensed from the reservoir. The vent valve closes when the lubricant level reaches the vent valve, thereby preventing lubricant from flowing through the vent valve. The sealed vent valve allows the actuator to rise in response to a rising lubricant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Brandon T. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 10731791
    Abstract: A centerfill assembly for a lubricant reservoir includes a hollow tube for receiving lubricant from the top of the reservoir and loading the lubricant into the reservoir near the bottom of the reservoir. Loading the lubricant near the bottom of the reservoir introduces lubricant near where the stirring paddles mix the lubricant and near where the lubricant is loaded to the lubricant pump. Adding the lubricant near where the pumps load and near the stirring paddles helps to eliminate air pockets in the lubricant. In addition, having the centerfill rod minimizes exterior plumbing and allows for the mounting of valves on the fill line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Benjamin J. Paar, Mike V. Atkinson, Brandon T. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 10527228
    Abstract: A protection mechanism for a lubricant reservoir is mounted within a valve protection chamber disposed on an actuator. The protection mechanism includes a valve actuating plate and an elastic member biasing the valve actuating plate upwards. The actuator is pushed upwards by a rising level of lubricant as the lubricant reservoir is filled. When the reservoir is full, the actuator causes the valve actuating plate to contact a valve stem. The valve actuating plate pushes the valve stem up to shut off a flow of lubricant to the reservoir through the shut off valve. During an overfill event the actuator shifts upward due to the rising level of the lubricant in the reservoir. As the actuator shifts upward, the elastic member compresses such that valve actuating plate remains static relative to the lubricant reservoir as actuator rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Mike V. Atkinson, Benjamin J. Paar, Brandon T. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 10459182
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slidable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A movable take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer. The take-up mechanism includes a U-shaped trough section and cable retention tabs. A control mechanism is provided for controlling movement of the take-up mechanism relative to the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Trebesch, Thomas C. Tinucci, Joel B. Douglas, John C. Holman, Trevor D. Smith, Paul C. Lance
  • Patent number: 10167862
    Abstract: A pump assembly comprises a base, a cam, a cylinder, a piston, and a shim clip. The cam rotates about a rotational axis with respect to the base. The cylinder attaches to the base, and has an inlet port and an outlet for fluid. The piston is reciprocally driven by rotation of the cam to draw fluid into the cylinder through the inlet port during a fill stroke, and to close the inlet port and pump fluid in the cylinder toward the offset during a pump stroke. The shim clip is removably insertable between the cylinder and the base to increase the distance between the inlet port and the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman
  • Publication number: 20180142835
    Abstract: A vent valve for an actuator disposed in a lubricant reservoir includes a bore extending through the plate, a seal disposed within the bore proximate a top surface of the plate, a retaining member extending about a lower opening of the bore, and a ball disposed within the bore between the seal and the retaining member. The vent valve is configured to allow air to pass from a lower portion of a lubricant reservoir as lubricant fills the lower portion. The vent valve also allows air to pass to the lower portion of the lubricant reservoir as lubricant is dispensed from the reservoir. The vent valve closes when the lubricant level reaches the vent valve, thereby preventing lubricant from flowing through the vent valve. The sealed vent valve allows the actuator to rise in response to a rising lubricant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Brandon T. Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20180142796
    Abstract: A protection mechanism for a lubricant reservoir is mounted within a valve protection chamber disposed on an actuator. The protection mechanism includes a valve actuating plate and an elastic member biasing the valve actuating plate upwards. The actuator is pushed upwards by a rising level of lubricant as the lubricant reservoir is filled. When the reservoir is full, the actuator causes the valve actuating plate to contact a valve stem. The valve actuating plate pushes the valve stem up to shut off a flow of lubricant to the reservoir through the shut off valve. During an overfill event the actuator shifts upward due to the rising level of the lubricant in the reservoir. As the actuator shifts upward, the elastic member compresses such that valve actuating plate remains static relative to the lubricant reservoir as actuator rises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: John C. HOLMAN, Mike V. ATKINSON
  • Publication number: 20180112821
    Abstract: An autofill shutoff valve includes a valve body mounted to a lubricant reservoir and secured to a fill tube extending into the reservoir. The autofill shutoff valve has a valve stem extending through the valve body and into the lubricant reservoir. The valve stem is actuated by a plate disposed within the reservoir from a first position, wherein lubricant flows from a lubricant inlet to a lubricant outlet through the valve body, to a second position, wherein the valve stem blocks the flow of lubricant through the valve body. The autofill shutoff valve provides lubricant directly to the reservoir, thereby eliminating external plumbing and the autofill shutoff valve also prevents overfill of the reservoir by cutting off the flow when the reservoir is full.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Mike V. Atkinson, Brandon T. Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20180112776
    Abstract: A sealing assembly includes retaining clips fit within grooves in a throat disposed between a fluid chamber and a working fluid cylinder. The retaining clips define individual seal glands, and seals and spacers are disposed within the seal glands. A piston rod passes through the throat seal, and the throat seal provides a seal against lubricant pressure from inside the fluid chamber and working fluid pressure from inside the working fluid cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Suresha Saragur Nijaguna, John C. Holman, Dustin A. Tichy
  • Publication number: 20180100620
    Abstract: A centerfill assembly for a lubricant reservoir includes a hollow tube for receiving lubricant from the top of the reservoir and loading the lubricant into the reservoir near the bottom of the reservoir. Loading the lubricant near the bottom of the reservoir introduces lubricant near where the stirring paddles mix the lubricant and near where the lubricant is loaded to the lubricant pump. Adding the lubricant near where the pumps load and near the stirring paddles helps to eliminate air pockets in the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Benjamin J. Paar
  • Publication number: 20170351046
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slidable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A movable take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer. The take-up mechanism includes a U-shaped trough section and cable retention tabs. A control mechanism is provided for controlling movement of the take-up mechanism relative to the drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Steven P. Trebesch, Thomas C. Tinucci, Joel B. Douglas, John C. Holman, Trevor D. Smith, Paul C. Lance
  • Patent number: 9664870
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slidable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A movable take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer. The take-up mechanism includes a U-shaped trough section and cable retention tabs. A control mechanism is provided for controlling movement of the take-up mechanism relative to the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Trebesch, Thomas C. Tinucci, Joel B. Douglas, John C. Holman, Trevor D. Smith, Paul C. Lance
  • Patent number: 9617114
    Abstract: A hose reel structure includes an hose spool for coiling hose, a frame which rotatably supports the hose spool, and a guide arm which restricts the angle of approach of hose to the hose spool. The hose spool and guide arm are connected to the frame. At least one of the frame and guide arm are substantially U-shaped structures formed from an L-shaped piece and an I-shaped piece. The L-shaped piece has a first long side at approximately a right angle with a shorter base or front. The I-shaped piece has a second long side and fastener holes for connecting to the shorter base or front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Shakal, John C. Holman
  • Patent number: 9611840
    Abstract: A pump assembly comprises a cam and a piston. The cam rotates in a plane about an eccentric axis, and has a circumferential side wall. The piston engages the circumferential side wall of the cam, and runs along a piston axis which lies in the plane of the cam. The piston axis is parallel to but not coincident with a reference line perpendicular to and intersecting the eccentric axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman
  • Publication number: 20160312953
    Abstract: A dual parallel outlet check valve includes a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve. The first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are normally closed valves. Both the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are disposed in a valve housing, and the first one-way valve is disposed adjacent to and runs parallel with the second one-way valve. The first one-way valve allows lubricant to flow downstream from a fluid chamber to build a downstream pressure, thereby causing lubricant applicators to dispense lubricant. The second one-way valve allows lubricant to flow upstream back into the fluid chamber, thereby allowing the downstream pressure to drop and the lubricant applicators to reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Ryan David Kennedy, Suresha Saragur Nijaguna
  • Patent number: 9458966
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant reservoir, a inlet into the lubricant reservoir, a diaphragm plate, an actuator pin, a refill inlet, a refill outlet, and a shutoff valve. The diaphragm plate is disposed at a topmost location within the lubricant reservoir. The actuator pin is coupled to the diaphragm plate such that filling the lubricant reservoir drives the actuator pin from a first position to a second position. The refill inlet is configured to receive lubricant, and the refill outlet is fluidly connected to the inlet of the lubricant reservoir. The shutoff valve is connected between the refill inlet and the refill outlet, and actuated by the actuator pin so as to fluidly connect the refill inlet and refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the first position, and fluidly isolate the refill inlet from the refill outlet when the actuator pin is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holman, Andrew J. Klaphake
  • Publication number: 20160281706
    Abstract: A pump assembly comprises a base, a cam, a cylinder, a piston, and a shim clip. The cam rotates about a rotational axis with respect to the base. The cylinder attaches to the base, and has an inlet port and an outlet for fluid. The piston is reciprocally driven by rotation of the cam to draw fluid into the cylinder through the inlet port during a fill stroke, and to close the inlet port and pump fluid in the cylinder toward the offset during a pump stroke. The shim clip is removably insertable between the cylinder and the base to increase the distance between the inlet port and the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman
  • Patent number: 9388696
    Abstract: A pump assembly comprises a base, a cam, a cylinder, a piston, and a shim clip. The cam rotates about a rotational axis with respect to the base. The cylinder attaches to the base, and has an inlet port and an outlet for fluid. The piston is reciprocally driven by rotation of the cam to draw fluid into the cylinder through the inlet port during a fill stroke, and to close the inlet port and pump fluid in the cylinder toward the offset during a pump stroke. The shim clip is removably insertable between the cylinder and the base to increase the distance between the inlet port and the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman