Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Hill

Joseph M. Hill 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: 8746605
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20140021284
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller causes the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20130032654
    Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20130015284
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 8156215
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of device management. In one embodiment of the present invention, a management device can receive device management data from devices on a network in a variety of device management protocols and map the device management data to a protocol used by a device management client. Because the management device can provide device management data in a format usable by the device management client, regardless of which protocol was originally used to generate the device management data, the device management client can turn to the management device to gather all or a portion the device management data from heterogeneous devices on a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Crossroads Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Griswold, Jr., Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20110047258
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of device management. In one embodiment of the present invention, a management device can receive device management data from devices on a network in a variety of device management protocols and map the device management data to a protocol used by a device management client. Because the management device can provide device management data in a format usable by the device management client, regardless of which protocol was originally used to generate the device management data, the device management client can turn to the management device to gather all or a portion the device management data from heterogeneous devices on a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert M. Griswold, JR., Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 7827261
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of device management. In one embodiment of the present invention, a management device can receive device management data from devices on a network in a variety of device management protocols and map the device management data to a protocol used by a device management client. Because the management device can provide device management data in a format usable by the device management client, regardless of which protocol was originally used to generate the device management data, the device management client can turn to the management device to gather all or a portion the device management data from heterogeneous devices on a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Crossroads Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Griswold, Jr., Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 7480569
    Abstract: Golf cart movements at a golf course are controlled by a limited access controller that compares a golf cart's GPS-determined position against a limited access map to restrict performance of inputs by the golf cart's driver to the golf cart's motor under predetermined conditions, such as if a golf cart enters or has a predetermined likelihood of entering a limited access area. The limited access controller inhibits motor responses, such as by preventing motor operation, limiting available motor speeds, or allowing motor operation only in a vector that removes the golf cart from the limited access area, such as operation in reverse. Golf carts of a golf course communicate with a base station that updates the limited access map by defining limited access area perimeters and allowable actions within a limited access area and that directly commands allowable motor operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Uplink Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Wehrlen, Joseph M. Hill, III, David J. Mullinix
  • Patent number: 7239965
    Abstract: Golf cart movements at a golf course are controlled by a limited access controller that compares a golf cart's GPS-determined position against a limited access map to restrict performance of inputs by the golf cart's driver to the golf cart's motor under predetermined conditions, such as if a golf cart enters or has a predetermined likelihood of entering a limited access area. The limited access controller inhibits motor responses, such as by preventing motor operation, limiting available motor speeds, or allowing motor operation only in a vector that removes the golf cart from the limited access area, such as operation in reverse. Golf carts of a golf course communicate with a base station that updates the limited access map by defining limited access area perimeters and allowable actions within a limited access area and that directly commands allowable motor operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Uplink Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Wehrlen, Joseph M. Hill, III, David J. Mullinix
  • Publication number: 20040260467
    Abstract: Golf cart movements at a golf course are controlled by a limited access controller that compares a golf cart's GPS-determined position against a limited access map to restrict performance of inputs by the golf cart's driver to the golf cart's motor under predetermined conditions, such as if a golf cart enters or has a predetermined likelihood of entering a limited access area. The limited access controller inhibits motor responses, such as by preventing motor operation, limiting available motor speeds, or allowing motor operation only in a vector that removes the golf cart from the limited access area, such as operation in reverse. Golf carts of a golf course communicate with a base station that updates the limited access map by defining limited access area perimeters and allowable actions within a limited access area and that directly commands allowable motor operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Uplink Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Wehrlen, Joseph M. Hill, David J. Mullinix
  • Patent number: 5129854
    Abstract: A rolling toy is created by segments which are bound together by connectors and axles. The toy has a plurality of segments including front and rear segments. The toy declines in a revolving end-to-end motion. The segments are spaced apart with a specified distance and are rotatable to each other. This rolling toy has the capability of declining down stairways and rolling on most horizontal surfaces. The toy is of an appropriate length for revolving end-to-end while declining down stairways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph M. Hill
  • Patent number: 4038150
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing fluids especially suitable for use in laboratory tests for the detection of microbial pathogens which includes an elongated centrifugation vessel, an injectable closure, completely enclosing a treating fluid chamber, and a novel stylus which causes a sample to be admixed and commingled with a treating fluid upon injection. The treating fluid is disposed within the treating fluid chamber and a sterile aqueous solution having a greater density than a sample fluid but able to selectively receive microbial pathogens from the sample fluid is disposed within an evacuated space within the centrifugation vessel. The sample is mixed with the treating fluid when the novel stylus is injected through the injectable closure means facilitating contact of the treating fluid and the sample via an aperture or apertures longitudinally spaced along the stylus so as to be within the treating fluid chamber upon injection of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: J. K. and Susie L. Wadley Research Institute and Blood Bank
    Inventors: Gordon L. Dorn, Joseph M. Hill