Patents by Inventor Kevin A. Sullivan

Kevin A. Sullivan 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: 20060016664
    Abstract: An extended life ball transfer unit has a housing with a well of generally cup-shaped configuration with at least the lower portion of its surface being defined by a pair of radii mutually offset to opposite sides from its vertical axis to generate a gothic church arch cross section. A passage extends therethrough at the base of the housing well. Sealed in the well is a spherical conveyor ball having a radius of smaller length than the radii defining the lower surface of the well, and the well defining radii having their origins above the center of the conveyor ball. A multiplicity of spherical bearing balls is disposed between the conveyor ball and at least the lower portion of the well. The bearing balls support the conveyor ball and transferring the load from the conveyor ball to the housing over an annular area defined by an arc of about 5-15° with its center spaced about 30°-40° upwardly from the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Pallini, Kevin Sullivan, Werner Guilford
  • Publication number: 20060000814
    Abstract: A laser-based method and system for processing targeted surface material and article produced thereby are provided. The system processes the targeted surface material within a region of a workpiece while avoiding undesirable changes to adjacent non-targeted material. The system includes a primary laser subsystem including a primary laser source for generating a pulsed laser output including at least one pulse having a wavelength and a pulse width less than 1 ns. A delivery subsystem irradiates the targeted surface material of the workpiece with the pulsed laser output including the at least one pulse to texture the targeted surface material. The pulsed laser output has sufficient total fluence to initiate ablation within at least a portion of the targeted surface material and the pulse width is short enough such that the region and the non-targeted material surrounding the material are substantially free of slag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Bo Gu, Jonathan Ehrmann, Donald Svetkoff, Steven Cahill, Kevin Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20050251470
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for implementing such method, the method comprising establishing a card payment instrument account for an approved customer and an investment account for the benefit of the approved customer. A rebate is calculated periodically based on credit card usage and the rebate is applied to fund the investment account periodically. The rebate is the only flnding of the investment account accomplished through the card payment instrument account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6941279
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for implementing such method, the method comprising establishing a card payment instrument account for an approved customer and an investment account for the benefit of the approved customer. A rebate is calculated periodically based on credit card usage and the rebate is applied to fund the investment account periodically. The rebate is the only funding of the investment account accomplished through the card payment instrument account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Banke One Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6917760
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reformatting or interleaving a WDM signal that includes a plurality of optical channels having a first bandwidth and a first channel spacing. The method begins by receiving the WDM signal and dividing it into first and second subsets of optical channels each having a second channel spacing. Next, the first subset of optical channels are divided into third and fourth subsets of optical channels each having a third channel spacing. In addition, the second subset of optical channels is divided into fifth and sixth subsets of optical channels each having a fourth channel spacing. The third and fifth subsets of optical channels are combined to generate a first output WDM signal, while the fourth and sixth subsets of optical channels are combined to generate a second output WDM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Wavesplitter Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan P. Li, Yan Wang, Robert John Shine, Jr., Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6854400
    Abstract: A hinge and support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment is provided. The system includes a hinge member, associated with a deck panel, which has at least one flexible projection. The hinge member mates with a support member having a pocket for which the hinge member's flexible projections can be snapped into and retained within so as to allow pivotal movement of the hinge member with respect to the support member. The hinge member is also movably supported by the deck panel so that the hinge member can move relative to the deck panel when the deck panel is deployed. The support member includes one ledge which engages the deck panel when deployed and a second ledge which engages the panel when stowed upright so as to substantially isolate the hinge member from the weight of the deck panel and items placed on it. The hinge structure can be utilized in other contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20040193539
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for implementing such method, the method comprising establishing a card payment instrument account for an approved customer and an investment account for the benefit of the approved customer. A rebate is calculated periodically based on credit card usage and the rebate is applied to fund the investment account periodically. The rebate is the only funding of the investment account accomplished through the card payment instrument account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: BANK ONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6782157
    Abstract: The abstract is amended to read, “An inventive method and apparatus is provided by a bidirectional optical 1×2 device formed by a cascade of three optical 2×2 devices. Each 2×2 device is bidirectional where optical signals propagate through the 2×2 device in the forward and backward directions simultaneously. The demultiplexing and multiplexing occur simultaneously to thereby perform bidirectional 1×2 optical demultiplexing and 2×1 optical multiplexing in the 1×2 device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Wavesplitter Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Huali Ariel Luo, Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6745938
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a percentage of consumer spending is rebated to the consumer for payment of premiums or the like for an account with an insurance company. In one version, an applicant provides a benefiting insurance account number to which the rebate is credited based on the rebate amount. The rebate is automatically submitted by the card issuer to the insurance account and, depending on the sizes of the rebate and premium, the cardholder may receive a bill reflecting a reduced premium or even a credit from the insurance concern. In another version, the rebate is submitted as a two-party check which can be cashed by the consumer or submitted by the consumer to the insurance company for cashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Bane One, Delaware
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6662703
    Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges. The mechanism includes a firing bolt having a bolt face configured to engage a programmable cartridge and force the programmable cartridge toward a barrel of the weapon. The mechanism also includes a cradle connected to the bolt for holding the programmable cartridge in a position adjacent to the bolt. The cradle stabilizes the cartridge so that fusing information may be transferred to the programmable cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nammo, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20030217670
    Abstract: A hinge and support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment is provided. The system includes a hinge member, associated with a deck panel, which has at least one flexible projection. The hinge member mates with a support member having a pocket for which the hinge member's flexible projections can be snapped into and retained within so as to allow pivotal movement of the hinge member with respect to the support member. The hinge member is also movably supported by the deck panel so that the hinge member can move relative to the deck panel when the deck panel is deployed. The support member includes one ledge which engages the deck panel when deployed and a second ledge which engages the panel when stowed upright so as to substantially isolate the hinge member from the weight of the deck panel and items placed on it. The hinge structure can be utilized in other contexts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20030123878
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reformatting or interleaving a WDM signal that includes a plurality of optical channels having a first bandwidth and a first channel spacing. The method begins by receiving the WDM signal and dividing it into first and second subsets of optical channels each having a second channel spacing. Next, the first subset of optical channels are divided into third and fourth subsets of optical channels each having a third channel spacing. In addition, the second subset of optical channels is divided into fifth and sixth subsets of optical channels each having a fourth channel spacing. The third and fifth subsets of optical channels are combined to generate a first output WDM signal, while the fourth and sixth subsets of optical channels are combined to generate a second output WDM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Yuan P. Li, Yan Wang, Robert John Shine, Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6585306
    Abstract: A deck support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment is provided. The system includes at least one pair of deck panels mounted opposite one another on the side walls of the freight compartment, which are capable of movement between a secure upright position and an extended horizontal deployed position. When the deck panels are in their extended position they at least partially define a platform above the floor of the vehicle freight compartment. The system also includes a support bracket that is secured to each respective deck panel when in the deployed position and adjacent the free end of the deck panels. The bracket has an elongated body, a longitudinally extending channel for engagement with the deck panels and a longitudinally extending support ledge. The longitudinally extending channel interlocks the deployed deck panels and the longitudinally extending support ledge provides support to further pairs of deployed deck panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Smith, Kevin Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20030047063
    Abstract: An open bolt firing mechanism for programmable cartridges. The mechanism includes a firing bolt having a bolt face configured to engage a programmable cartridge and force the programmable cartridge toward a barrel of the weapon. The mechanism also includes a cradle connected to the bolt for holding the programmable cartridge in a position adjacent to the bolt. The cradle stabilizes the cartridge so that fusing information may be transferred to the programmable cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: NAMMO, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20020161178
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel DKR polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brian Bass, John Kevin Sullivan, Lars Eyde Theill, Daguang Wang
  • Publication number: 20020096561
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a percentage of consumer spending is rebated to the consumer for payment of premiums or the like for an account with an insurance company. In one version, an applicant provides a benefiting insurance account number to which the rebate is credited based on the rebate amount. The rebate is automatically submitted by the card issuer to the insurance account and, depending on the sizes of the rebate and premium, the cardholder may receive a bill reflecting a reduced premium or even a credit from the insurance concern. In another version, the rebate is submitted as a two-party check which can be cashed by the consumer or submitted by the consumer to the insurance company for cashing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: First USA Bank
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6386444
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a percentage of consumer spending is rebated to the consumer for payment of premiums or the like for an account with an insurance company. In one version, an applicant provides a benefiting insurance account number to which the rebate is credited based on the rebate amount. The rebate is automatically submitted by the card issuer to the insurance account and, depending on the sizes of the rebate and premium, the cardholder may receive a bill reflecting a reduced premium or even a credit from the insurance concern. In another version, the rebate is submitted as a two-party check which can be cashed by the consumer or submitted by the consumer to the insurance company for cashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: First USA Bank, N.A.
    Inventor: Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6344541
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding novel DKR polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brian Bass, John Kevin Sullivan, Lars Eyde Theill, Daguang Wang
  • Patent number: 5925520
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the identity of at least two discrete single bases each adjacent to a predetermined nucleotide base sequence in a target sample having one or more types of polynucleotide chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for the Home Department
    Inventors: Gillian Tully, Kevin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5461156
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for the stereocontrolled synthesis of cis-bicyclic compounds, including cis-hexahydro-6-isoquinolones, cis-dihydroisochromanones, cis-dihydrothiochromanones, and cisbicyclo[4.4.0]dec-3-ene-2-ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventors: Vien V. Khau, Michael J. Martinelli, Barry C. Peterson, Kevin A. Sullivan