Patents by Inventor John T. Smith

John T. Smith 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: 20250042656
    Abstract: A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, JR., Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph RAMANDO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20250033876
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON_HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Patent number: 12210693
    Abstract: An input device comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising non-linear circuitry; resistive circuitry including a force-sensitive resistor (FSR) coupled to the PCB in parallel with the non-linear circuitry; and a hinge coupled to the PCB and the FSR configured to strain the FSR in response to a force applied to a tip of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Shapirten Laboratories LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Bechstein, Duc T. Duong, John S. Smith, Michael Vosgueritchian, Sinan Filiz, Vipin Ayanoor-Vitikkate, Vyom Sharma
  • Publication number: 20250026569
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel Carlton SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20250025341
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an optical system for obtaining surgical information includes a probe housing a first optical fiber, a light source, a photoanalyzer, and an optical circulator optically coupled to each of the first optical fiber, the light source, and the photoanalyzer. The optical circulator has a first port configured to receive source light generated from the light source, a second port configured to transmit the source light from the first port to the first optical fiber, and a third port configured to transmit return light in the first optical fiber from the second port to the photoanalyzer. The first optical fiber is configured to emit at least a portion of the source light in the first optical fiber from the probe to contact a body structure, and collect light returning from the body structure as a result of the portion of the source light contacting the body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: John Park, Qing Xiang, Ravi Durvasula, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250017639
    Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: W. Bret Smith, Paul Dayton, Sean F. Scanlan, F. Barry Bays, Carlos Eduardo Gil, John T. Treace, Robert D. Santrock, Daniel J. Hatch, Joe W. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11185805
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter attachment that removably couples with a faucet or other vessel. The attachment includes a flexible cover holding the filter on the vessel and that acts as a pressure relief mechanism if the water pressure of the faucet is above a predetermined threshold. Another flexible cover may be located on the opposite side of the attachment to allow reversible use and cleaning by backwashing. The attachment may further include a removable cap on one side that includes a flexible cover and that couples to the remainder of the attachment in a removable manner so as to allow other fitments to couple to the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sawyer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210275946
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter attachment that removably couples with a faucet or other vessel. The attachment includes a flexible cover holding the filter on the vessel and that acts as a pressure relief mechanism if the water pressure of the faucet is above a predetermined threshold. Another flexible cover may be located on the opposite side of the attachment to allow reversible use and cleaning by backwashing. The attachment may further include a removable cap on one side that includes a flexible cover and that couples to the remainder of the attachment in a removable manner so as to allow other fitments to couple to the attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Sawyer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10846675
    Abstract: A vending storage and retrieval system may include a housing with a screen, camera, scanner, card reader, and receipt port positioned on various exterior portions of the housing. Other hardware components may be positioned interiorly with respect to the housing. Such hardware components include but are not limited to a collection assembly, shelf, receipt printer, and central processing unit. A dispensing port may be positioned on said housing to provide access through said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Creative Methods, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 9277811
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a storage and retrieval system may include a storage assembly supported by a plurality of frame members. The storage assembly may include a plurality of storage members that may be engaged with one another such that each storage member may selectively move along a predetermined path. The exterior of the storage and retrieval system may include a front exterior panel that may be configured with an access port therein for interacting with items positioned on the storage members. The exterior may also include a first and/or second display, scanner, and one or more door flaps to allow/prevent access to the interior of the storage and retrieval system through the access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 9044106
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a storage and retrieval system may include a storage assembly supported by a plurality of frame members. The storage assembly may include a plurality of storage members that may be engaged with one another such that each storage member may selectively move along a predetermined path. The exterior of the storage and retrieval system may include a front exterior panel that may be configured with an access port therein for interacting with items positioned on the storage members. The exterior may also include a first and/or second display, scanner, and one or more door flaps to allow/prevent access to the interior of the storage and retrieval system through the access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 8632415
    Abstract: In one embodiment of a putter the putter comprises a head, a cap, at least one brush insert, and a handle. The brush insert(s) may be positioned between the head and cap and retained by the engagement of the cap with the head. The head and cap may be formed with respective ball apertures such that a golf ball may pass through those apertures. The brush insert, which is replaceable, may be formed with a plurality of radially oriented brushes having distal ends extending inward. The putter may be used to retrieve a golf ball from a golf cup by lowering the putter into the cup and forcing the golf ball into the brush insert. Subsequently removing the golf ball coupled with inserting the golf ball into the brush insert cleans the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 7075008
    Abstract: A wire guard for filling an opening in an electrical box, to protect contents contained therein, includes a plate having a circumferential wall projecting outward from the plate at a defined angle. The wall extends for a length of a perimeter of the plate, contacting an interior surface of the electrical box when the plate fills the opening. At least one bracket of the wire guard surrounds a tab formed in the electrical box. Further, an aperture in the bracket aligns with a bore hole in the tab. A mechanical fastener, e.g. a screw, may be inserted into the aperture to engage with the bore hole of the tab, thereby fastening the wire guard to the electrical box. A screw driver or other tool, inserted into an aperture in the plate, may be used to extract the wire guard from the electrical box after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6918910
    Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable distraction device comprises a first arm, having a first skeletal connector for attachment to a first skeletal component at a first location. A second arm has a second skeletal connector for attachment to a second skeletal component at a second location. The first and second arms are slidably moveable with respect to each other. A fluid actuator is associated with each of the first and second arms to apply a separating force between the arms to slidably move at least one of the arms relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventors: John T. Smith, Sohrab Gollogly, Robert A. Van Wyk
  • Patent number: 6854815
    Abstract: A powered carousel shelving unit is configured to bring individual shelves to a standard handicap accessible height at a front access opening for viewing and selection of product on the shelves. Stationary guide tracks and complimentary tracking elements connected to the shelves are cooperative to tip the shelves forward as they approach and leave the access area so as to organize the product to the front of the shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6789701
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a base into which the open end of a conventional tube of toothpaste is threaded, a manually operated pump in the base to draw paste from the tube and discharge the paste onto a toothbrush, a perforated tube positioned in the tube of toothpaste to prevent prematurely collapsing of the walls and resulting flow restriction as paste is drawn from the tube, and a cover that hinges to the top of the base to conceal the tube and that provides presentation area for advertising, logos and other graphic or written information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: John T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040153067
    Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable distraction device comprises a first arm, having a first skeletal connector for attachment to a first skeletal component at a first location. A second arm has a second skeletal connector for attachment to a second skeletal component at a second location. The first and second arms are slidably moveable with respect to each other. A fluid actuator is associated with each of the first and second arms to apply a separating force between the arms to slidably move at least one of the arms relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: John T. Smith, Sohrab Gollogly, Robert A. Van Wyk
  • Patent number: D831494
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: John T. Smith, Christer Broman
  • Patent number: D841776
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Sawyer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Smith, William E. Mowery
  • Patent number: D930112
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sawyer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Smith