Patents by Inventor John R. Fairhurst

John R. Fairhurst 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).

  • Publication number: 20250014870
    Abstract: A system for mounting the shield ring to the pedestal in a plasma chamber is disclosed. The mounting system includes compliant hardware. A fastener with a compliant component, such as an O-ring, is first secured to the pedestal. The shield ring has a top surface, a bottom surface and walls extending downward from the inner and outer diameter of the shield ring. Bores are located on the bottom surface of the shield ring. The bores of the shield ring are aligned with the fasteners and the shield ring is then pressed down onto the fasteners. As the shield ring is being pressed down, the walls of the bores force the compliant hardware to yield. When in place, the compliant hardware supplies the requisite compression force to hold the shield ring in place. The compliant hardware may be implemented in various manners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Jordan B. Tye, James A. Pixley, John R. Fairhurst
  • Patent number: 5558319
    Abstract: An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets of web material provides a conveyor for transporting the sheets from a source of sheets. The sheets are conveyed in a stream that is aligned in a downstream direction from a source to a stacking location. A kicker mechanism is located along the conveyor to offset sheets in a direction that is substantially transverse to the downstream direction. A stacking mechanism is positioned at the stacking location for receiving each sheet from the conveyor and overlaying each sheet into a stack that extends downstream in a horizontal orientation that is substantially parallel to the ground. The kicker mechanism may include an elastomeric foot that engages and withdraws from each selected sheet to drive it transversely to the downstream direction. The sheets may be cut from a continuous web source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Roll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: H. W. Crowley, John W. Clifford, Thomas Connolly, John R. Fairhurst, Bruce Taylor
  • Patent number: 5533719
    Abstract: A stacker jam detector, for use in a sheet handling device such as a stacker and separator, comprises a source of sheets that directs sheets downstream to a delivery location. The source of sheets includes a sheet sent signal generator that transmits a sheet sent signal in response to transferral of each of the sheets from the source. A moving sensing service, such as an elastomeric wheel, is provided at a delivery location, which can comprise a vertical stack. The surface engages each of the sheets as each of the sheets is transferred to the delivery location. Movement of the sheets thereover causes proportional movement of the sensing surface. A signal, such as a pulse, is generated in response to the movement of the sensing surface. A detector measures the signal and compares the signal received relative to at least one sheet sense signal to a predetermined signal value and indicates whether a sheet has been properly delivered to the delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Roll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: H. W. Crowley, John W. Clifford, Thomas Connolly, John R. Fairhurst, Bruce Taylor, John M. Fiske
  • Patent number: 5366212
    Abstract: An apparatus for stacking and separating sheets of web material provides a conveyor for transporting the sheets from a source of sheets. The sheets are conveyed in a stream that is aligned in a downstream direction from a source to a stacking location. A kicker mechanism is located along the conveyor to offset sheets in a direction that is substantially transverse to the downstream direction. A stacking mechanism is positioned at the stacking location for receiving each sheet from the conveyor and overlaying each sheet into a stack that extends downstream in a horizontal orientation that is substantially parallel to the ground. The kicker mechanism may include an elastomeric foot that engages and withdraws from each selected sheet to drive it transversely to the downstream direction. The sheets may be cut from a continuous web source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Roll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: H. W. Crowley, John W. Clifford, Thomas Connolly, John R. Fairhurst, Bruce Taylor