Patents by Inventor John M. Thornton

John M. Thornton 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: 11813501
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20230339157
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold while better centering a subassembly in the mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton, Kevin J. Rice, Donald A. Serino
  • Publication number: 20230234268
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11697231
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold while better centering a subassembly in the mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton, Kevin J. Rice, Donald A. Serino
  • Patent number: 11618192
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11529755
    Abstract: Golf ball molds and methods for molding golf balls, particularly golf balls having thermoplastic polyurethane covers, are provided. The molds and methods are particularly suitable for manufacturing covers for golf balls. Multi-piece golf balls having inner cores, outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made. Retractable pins are used for holding the golf ball within the mold, wherein each retractable pin has a primary vent section, secondary vent section, and tertiary vent section for removing air and other gasses from the interior spherical cavity of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20220370861
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11406878
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11176528
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the use and exchange of customized third-party content in a distributed computing environment that allows for third-party hosting. Embodiments of the disclosed technology concern an application store within an application (e.g., an “in-app app store”). The application store can offer downloadable digital content and/or roaming entitlements to a user of the application. Further, in particular embodiments, the downloadable content and/or entitlements are generated by a third party (e.g., a party different than the provider/publisher of the application and the user of the application). Also disclosed are methods and mechanisms for copy-protecting such content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Thornton, Jason M. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20210178646
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210094209
    Abstract: Golf ball molds and methods for molding golf balls, particularly golf balls having thermoplastic polyurethane covers, are provided. The molds and methods are particularly suitable for manufacturing covers for golf balls. Multi-piece golf balls having inner cores, outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made. Retractable pins are used for holding the golf ball within the mold, wherein each retractable pin has a primary vent section, secondary vent section, and tertiary vent section for removing air and other gasses from the interior spherical cavity of the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210093931
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20200160300
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the use and exchange of customized third-party content in a distributed computing environment that allows for third-party hosting. Embodiments of the disclosed technology concern an application store within an application (e.g., an “in-app app store”). The application store can offer downloadable digital content and/or roaming entitlements to a user of the application. Further, in particular embodiments, the downloadable content and/or entitlements are generated by a third party (e.g., a party different than the provider/publisher of the application and the user of the application). Also disclosed are methods and mechanisms for copy-protecting such content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Thornton, Jason M. Cahill
  • Patent number: 10565572
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the use and exchange of customized third-party content in a distributed computing environment that allows for third-party hosting. Embodiments of the disclosed technology concern an application store within an application (e.g., an “in-app app store”). The application store can offer downloadable digital content and/or roaming entitlements to a user of the application. Further, in particular embodiments, the downloadable content and/or entitlements are generated by a third party (e.g., a party different than the provider/publisher of the application and the user of the application). Also disclosed are methods and mechanisms for copy-protecting such content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Thornton, Jason M. Cahill
  • Patent number: 10473548
    Abstract: A device for detecting presence of a fluid is described, and includes a resistive sensing element including a first conductive element proximal to a second conductive element, wherein the first conductive element is electrically isolated from the second conductive element, and a controller disposed to monitor electrical conductivity between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to periodically monitor a signal associated with the electrical conductivity between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. A baseline value for the electrical conductivity between the first conductive element and the second conductive element can be determined based upon the periodically monitored signal, and a signal waveform can be determined based upon the periodically monitored signal. The signal waveform can be characterized, and presence of a fluid can be detected based upon the characterized waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Philip S. Jack, Douglas R. Drauch, John M. Thornton, Philip Wolschendorf, Joshua L. Engle, Derek M. Arrotta
  • Publication number: 20190063973
    Abstract: A device for detecting presence of a fluid is described, and includes a resistive sensing element including a first conductive element proximal to a second conductive element, wherein the first conductive element is electrically isolated from the second conductive element, and a controller disposed to monitor electrical conductivity between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to periodically monitor a signal associated with the electrical conductivity between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. A baseline value for the electrical conductivity between the first conductive element and the second conductive element can be determined based upon the periodically monitored signal, and a signal waveform can be determined based upon the periodically monitored signal. The signal waveform can be characterized, and presence of a fluid can be detected based upon the characterized waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Philip S. Jack, Douglas R. Drauch, John M. Thornton, Philip Wolschendorf, Joshua L. Engle, Derek M. Arrotta
  • Publication number: 20180293843
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the use and exchange of customized third-party content in a distributed computing environment that allows for third-party hosting. Embodiments of the disclosed technology concern an application store within an application (e.g., an “in-app app store”). The application store can offer downloadable digital content and/or roaming entitlements to a user of the application. Further, in particular embodiments, the downloadable content and/or entitlements are generated by a third party (e.g., a party different than the provider/publisher of the application and the user of the application). Also disclosed are methods and mechanisms for copy-protecting such content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Thornton, Jason M. Cahill, Thomas Gutschmidt, Cody J. Bird
  • Publication number: 20180293563
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the use and exchange of customized third-party content in a distributed computing environment that allows for third-party hosting. Embodiments of the disclosed technology concern an application store within an application (e.g., an “in-app app store”). The application store can offer downloadable digital content and/or roaming entitlements to a user of the application. Further, in particular embodiments, the downloadable content and/or entitlements are generated by a third party (e.g., a party different than the provider/publisher of the application and the user of the application). Also disclosed are methods and mechanisms for copy-protecting such content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Thornton, Jason M. Cahill
  • Patent number: 9663869
    Abstract: A metal part is surface treated using anodization and plating processes to produce different finishes on selective regions of the metal part. The different finishes can contrast in decorative appearance (such as color, shininess and texture) and structural properties (such as wear resistance).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Demers, Napthaneal Y. Tan, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 9020183
    Abstract: An image to be shared with other users based on input from a first user is received. A second user is identified from a tag of the image, and information is provided, based at least in part on the tag, to one or both of the first user and the second user. Additionally, after editing of an image a determination can be made as to whether a region of the image having an associated tag has been affected by the editing. The tag associated with the region is altered if the region has been affected by the editing, otherwise the tag associated with the region is left unaltered. Furthermore, the tag can include a first portion storing data identifying a region of the image to which the tag corresponds, and a second portion storing data identifying a person shown in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karthik G. Anbalagan, Scott R. Ramsby, Chunkit J. Chan, Michael H. Kim, John M. Thornton, Timothy R. O'Connor, Alexander S. Brodie, Samuel J. Pinson, Sr., Bryan P. Ferguson, Gyorgy K. Schadt, Aanand Narayanan Pulamanthole Pisharathu