Patents by Inventor John W. Simon

John W. Simon 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: 20250026189
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 12109874
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 12071608
    Abstract: An interface for coupling a dissolved oxygen sensor to a single-use bioreactor container is provided. A dissolved oxygen (DO) window membrane is operably coupled to the single-use container and configured to position a DO sensor at least partially within the single-use container. In some embodiments, a DO window body mounts the DO window membrane at a distal end thereof. The DO window body can include a slide lock for facilitating positioning of a DO sensor within the DO window body. Additionally, the DO window body may include at least one heat exchange fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew S. Dierker, Jinbo Hu, Tyrel L. Ruch, Rick J. Sumrall, Taufiq Ahmed, Ryan L. Bowlds, Michalle J. A. Adkins, Marc R. Mason, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20230331074
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11725966
    Abstract: A multi-stage irreversible sensor coupling is provided. A sensor body includes a sensor and has a sensor body wall and at least one sensor body engagement feature. A clip barrel is configured to slidably engage the sensor body and has at least one clip barrel engagement feature. A wedge clip is configured to slidably engage the clip barrel and has at least one wedge clip engagement feature that is configured to urge the at least one sensor body engagement feature into cooperative engagement with the at least one clip barrel engagement feature when the wedge clip, clip barrel, and sensor body are fully engaged together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Tyrel L. Ruch, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11685242
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11667880
    Abstract: A pH sensor for a single-use container includes a plunger sleeve configured to couple to a flange of the single-use container. A plunger is axially movable within the plunger sleeve between a storage position and an operating position. A pH sensing element coupled to the plunger wherein the pH element is disposed within a storage chamber in the storage position and is configured to be exposed to an interior of the single-use container in the operating position. In one example, a temperature sensitive element is disposed within the pH sensor and configured to sense temperature proximate the pH sensing element. In another example, a lock member is coupled to the plunger, where the lock member has a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock member being configured to inhibit movement of the plunger when in the locked position. In yet another example, the plunger includes at least one filling channel that allows access to a reference fill chamber when the plunger is in a filling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: Jinbo Hu, Andrew S. Dierker, Rick J. Sumrall, Tyrel L. Ruch, John W. Simon, Ryan L. Bowlds
  • Patent number: 11642948
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20230121434
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20220219516
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges. Elongated support members having hinge support flanges help to secure the flexible hinges to the rigid panels. In preferred embodiments, the support flanges of the elongated support members cooperate with the underside of the respective rigid panels to which the support members are secured, to form a partial enclosure within which a side portion of the respective flexible hinge is secured. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20220153105
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11292324
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges. Elongated support members having hinge support flanges help to secure the flexible hinges to the rigid panels. In preferred embodiments, the support flanges of the elongated support members cooperate with the underside of the respective rigid panels to which the support members are secured, to form a partial enclosure within which a side portion of the respective flexible hinge is secured. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Agh-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20220091085
    Abstract: A multi-stage irreversible sensor coupling is provided. A sensor body includes a sensor and has a sensor body wall and at least one sensor body engagement feature. A clip barrel is configured to slidably engage the sensor body and has at least one clip barrel engagement feature. A wedge clip is configured to slidably engage the clip barrel and has at least one wedge clip engagement feature that is configured to urge the at least one sensor body engagement feature into cooperative engagement with the at least one clip barrel engagement feature when the wedge clip, clip barrel, and sensor body are fully engaged together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Tyrel L. Ruch, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11235652
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges preferably made from a laminated woven fabric material. The rigid panels are preferably stiffened by elongated support members secured to the undersides of the respective panels and the top surfaces of portions of the rigid panels are preferably downwardly concave. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Agh-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, John W. Simon
  • Patent number: 11046927
    Abstract: A pH sensor for a single-use container includes a plunger sleeve configured to couple to a flange of the single-use container. A plunger is axially movable within the plunger sleeve between a storage position and an operating position. A pH sensing element coupled to the plunger wherein the pH element is disposed within a storage chamber in the storage position and is configured to be exposed to an interior of the single-use container in the operating position. In one example, a temperature sensitive element is disposed within the pH sensor and configured to sense temperature proximate the pH sensing element. In another example, a lock member is coupled to the plunger, where the lock member has a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock member being configured to inhibit movement of the plunger when in the locked position. In yet another example, the plunger includes at least one filling channel that allows access to a reference fill chamber when the plunger is in a filling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Jinbo Hu, Andrew S. Dierker, Rick J. Sumrall, Tyrel L. Ruch, John W. Simon, Ryan L. Bowlds
  • Publication number: 20210189319
    Abstract: A pH sensor for a single-use container includes a plunger sleeve configured to couple to a flange of the single-use container. A plunger is axially movable within the plunger sleeve between a storage position and an operating position. A pH sensing element coupled to the plunger wherein the pH element is disposed within a storage chamber in the storage position and is configured to be exposed to an interior of the single-use container in the operating position. In one example, a temperature sensitive element is disposed within the pH sensor and configured to sense temperature proximate the pH sensing element. In another example, a lock member is coupled to the plunger, where the lock member has a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock member being configured to inhibit movement of the plunger when in the locked position. In yet another example, the plunger includes at least one filling channel that allows access to a reference fill chamber when the plunger is in a filling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Jinbo Hu, Andrew S. Dierker, Rick J. Sumrall, Tyrel L. Ruch, John W. Simon, Ryan L. Bowlds
  • Publication number: 20210114446
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment to a cargo box of a pickup truck including a support frame assembly and a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected rigid panels that can be folded up and secured to the cargo box such that respective upper surfaces of at least two of the plurality of rigid panels reside in an upright folded orientation. The tonneau cover apparatus further includes a mechanism for securing the at least two of the plurality of rigid panels in the upright folded orientation. A method of removably securing the tonneau cover apparatus to the pickup truck is also described, as is an alternate embodiment of the tonneau cover apparatus, wherein the cover assembly includes first and second pivotally interconnected rigid panels and a pair of hinge support mechanisms that generally restrict the way the second rigid panel pivots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20200331329
    Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges. Elongated support members having hinge support flanges help to secure the flexible hinges to the rigid panels. In preferred embodiments, the support flanges of the elongated support members cooperate with the underside of the respective rigid panels to which the support members are secured, to form a partial enclosure within which a side portion of the respective flexible hinge is secured. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Brendan T. Bohn, Mark E. Beam, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20190264163
    Abstract: An interface for coupling a dissolved oxygen sensor to a single-use bioreactor container is provided. A dissolved oxygen (DO) window membrane is operably coupled to the single-use container and configured to position a DO sensor at least partially within the single-use container. In some embodiments, a DO window body mounts the DO window membrane at a distal end thereof. The DO window body can include a slide lock for facilitating positioning of a DO sensor within the DO window body. Additionally, the DO window body may include at least one heat exchange fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew S. Dierker, Jinbo Hu, Tyrel L. Ruch, Rick J. Sumrall, Taufiq Ahmed, Ryan L. Bowlds, Michalle J.A. Adkins, Marc R. Mason, John W. Simon
  • Publication number: 20190264161
    Abstract: A pH sensor for a single-use container includes a plunger sleeve configured to couple to a flange of the single-use container. A plunger is axially movable within the plunger sleeve between a storage position and an operating position. A pH sensing element coupled to the plunger wherein the pH element is disposed within a storage chamber in the storage position and is configured to be exposed to an interior of the single-use container in the operating position. In one example, a temperature sensitive element is disposed within the pH sensor and configured to sense temperature proximate the pH sensing element. In another example, a lock member is coupled to the plunger, where the lock member has a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock member being configured to inhibit movement of the plunger when in the locked position. In yet another example, the plunger includes at least one filling channel that allows access to a reference fill chamber when the plunger is in a filling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jinbo Hu, Andrew S. Dierker, Rick J. Sumrall, Tyrel L. Ruch, John W. Simon, Ryan L. Bowlds