Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Stevens

Kenneth A. Stevens 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: 7077397
    Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: EMC Document Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7063312
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Patent number: 7036812
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The resister, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Patent number: 6978991
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Publication number: 20030222389
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The resister, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Publication number: 20030189280
    Abstract: The universal document processor provides for an economical document processing solution. Thus the capital investment in equipment could be maximized by the use of a single system to perform a wide variety of tasks by a single system. Presently, no system combines all these described functions in a single system, instead requiring a plurality of input and output devices, frequently certain of them requiring installation and setup to the exclusion of others, greatly decreasing efficiency in operation. With use on an inserter system one would have a universal document processing solution system processing both cut sheet and continuous in one front end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6624533
    Abstract: A power controller for controlling an engine-driven generator includes a high voltage DC bus interconnecting various power modules. In electrical communication with the DC bus are: a bi-directional DC-DC converter constructed to transfer electrical power from the DC bus to a battery to charge the battery, and from the battery to the DC bus; a rectifier constructed to rectify electrical power from the generator and to supply the rectified power to the DC bus; an inverter constructed to convert DC bus electrical power to AC electrical power and to supply the AC power to an output connector; and an AC-DC constructed to convert AC electrical power, supplied via an input connector, to DC bus electrical power. The controller may be employed in a power supply on a mobile vehicle or boat, for example. The power modules of the controller cooperate in various combinations to provide a wide variety of power transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Westerbeke Corporation
    Inventors: Allen K. Swanson, Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20030173728
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Publication number: 20030173729
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Patent number: 6616399
    Abstract: An improved gripping arm assembly including a two-piece gripper arm body construction which includes an arm clamp having alignment pins, and an arm main body with corresponding alignment holes for receiving the clamp pins, and a means for securably attaching the main body with the clamp. This two-piece gripper arm construction is simpler to remove than one-piece standard gripper arms. To replace a broken gripper arm with a new gripper arm only requires unscrewing fasteners holding the two-piece old gripper arm together allowing detachment of the broken gripper arm from the shaft, and clamping the two pieces of the new gripper arm together around the shafts and securing the screws and re-clipping an operating rod. The two-piece construction eliminates the need to remove a shaft from the machine or other gripper arms from the shaft when repairing or replacing one gripper arm or replacing or repairing a shaft having gripper arms mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6592114
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Patent number: 6575454
    Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20030042666
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a High Page Count method for mail inserters. The High Page Count method utilizes multiple source feeders to deposit source material onto a moving track at a rate equal to the speed at which the track operates. The High Page Count method is designed to optimize the mail inserter process by ensuring that no track position goes unfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20030025266
    Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6467764
    Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20020124703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated in-line drop cut apparatus comprising a drop cut unit and a pathway for receiving folded documents from an upstream feeder and transporting said documents to and from the drop cut unit. The drop cut unit includes at least one cutter for cutting the folded documents along a document folded edge parallel to the direction of document travel, said cutter being positioned adjacent said pathway. A method of producing nested drop cut documents in-line is also provided by this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20020117794
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing, stacking and thereafter collecting printed forms, includes: a dual registering stacking interface, that stacks and accumulates forms in a stack or in a continuing feeding as separate forms; and, a sequencer merger that receives the forms from the dual registering stacking interface and directs the forms in a selected order to an output end. The output end communicates with an accumulator that feeds the forms to a folder. The folder thereafter feeds the forms to a collector to be held until called for by a subsequent downstream device, such as a mail inserter device. The register, accumulator and collector are belt and/or roller driven devices, wherein the invention provides clutching assemblies for the transport belts and rollers in order to eliminate the streaking of the printed forms when idled forms are held stationary against the transport belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas A. Keller
  • Patent number: 6289657
    Abstract: A mail inserter machine having a drive system including a drive motor, gear reducer unit and indexing unit. The drive motor and gear reducer communicate by a belt driven around pulleys residing in a plane and the gear reducer communicating through a direct shaft drive with the indexing unit. The indexing unit rotating a belt pulley which carries a belt connected to a timing pulley for driving a cross shaft. The belt pulley and timing pulley residing in a plane parallel to said drive motor and gear reducer unit pulleys. Said drive system arranged in a lower portion of the mail inserter machine chassis, whereby the said parallel planar pulleys thereby generate forces vectored in parallel directions enabling a greater size, greater precision, high durability, and greater dynamic stability for the mail inserter machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6109603
    Abstract: Control apparatus enable the selective injection of individual sheets from channels one or two to collate and combine a stream of sheets in a selected presentation of East/West or West/East mixed multiple forms using both channels one and two to process one particular form, effectively zig-zagging from one channel to the other, and also adapted to control and inject North/South mixed multiples in which all the pages for one form in one channel, but both channels must be controlled to be sure multiple forms from one channel are not processed out of order relative to the other channel. A dual registering stacking interface stages, registers, transports, justifies and stacks forms in which forms are delivered to a side-by-side holding areas known as channels one and two, where they are held stationary and accumulate in a stack or continue feeding as separate forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stevens, Douglas J. Keller
  • Patent number: D421655
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Daugherty, Kenneth A. Stevens