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: 11911058Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Hanam Pham, John Mensch, Zane R. Ward, Theodore C. Blus, Jeffrey D. Holton, Thomas J. Holman
-
Patent number: 10781971Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: John C. Holman, Mike V. Atkinson, Brandon T. Gustafson, Benjamin J. Paar
-
Patent number: 10774988Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: John C. Holman, Brandon T. Gustafson
-
Patent number: 10731791Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: John C. Holman, Benjamin J. Paar, Mike V. Atkinson, Brandon T. Gustafson
-
Patent number: 10527228Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: John C. Holman, Mike V. Atkinson, Benjamin J. Paar, Brandon T. Gustafson
-
Patent number: 10459182Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Steven P. Trebesch, Thomas C. Tinucci, Joel B. Douglas, John C. Holman, Trevor D. Smith, Paul C. Lance
-
Patent number: 10167862Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman
-
Publication number: 20180142835Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: John C. Holman, Brandon T. Gustafson
-
Publication number: 20180142796Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: John C. HOLMAN, Mike V. ATKINSON
-
Publication number: 20180112821Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: John C. Holman, Mike V. Atkinson, Brandon T. Gustafson
-
Publication number: 20180112776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Suresha Saragur Nijaguna, John C. Holman, Dustin A. Tichy
-
Publication number: 20180100620Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: John C. Holman, Benjamin J. Paar
-
Publication number: 20170351046Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Steven P. Trebesch, Thomas C. Tinucci, Joel B. Douglas, John C. Holman, Trevor D. Smith, Paul C. Lance
-
Patent number: 9664870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Steven P. Trebesch, Thomas C. Tinucci, Joel B. Douglas, John C. Holman, Trevor D. Smith, Paul C. Lance
-
Patent number: 9617114Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: Anthony J. Shakal, John C. Holman
-
Patent number: 9611840Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman
-
Publication number: 20160312953Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: John C. Holman, Ryan David Kennedy, Suresha Saragur Nijaguna
-
Patent number: 9458966Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: John C. Holman, Andrew J. Klaphake
-
Publication number: 20160281706Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman
-
Patent number: 9388696Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Celotta, John C. Holman