Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Edwards

Kevin C. Edwards 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: 20120172877
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes distal and proximal tube sections and a coupling that couples the distal tube section to the proximal tube section. The coupling includes first and second connector portions coupled to one of the distal tube section and the proximal tube section. The first and second connector portions are selectively engageable and disengageable with respect to each other and each include selectively engageable fixing members. The distal and proximal tube sections are rotationally fixed to each other when the fixing members of the second connector portion are engaged with the fixing members of the first connector portion. The distal and proximal tube sections can rotate relative to each other when the fixing members of the second connector portion are disengaged from the fixing members of the first connector portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GYRUS ENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Ryan, Kevin C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8192489
    Abstract: A system for adjusting an adjustable ossicular prosthesis including an ossicular implant and an adjusting device is provided. The ossicular implant includes a first fixation element, an elongated member extending from the first fixation element with a plurality of notches, a receiving member receiving a portion of the elongated member, and a resilient arm coupled to the elongated member. The resilient arm has a locked position fixing the receiving member relative to the elongated member and the length of the implant, and an unlocked position. The adjusting device includes first and second arms having first and second sets of jaws coupled thereto, the first and second sets of jaws configured to selectively engage the implant, the second set of jaws being configured to position the resilient arm in the unlocked position when engaging the receiving member of the implant, and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Gyrus Ent, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120065730
    Abstract: A system for adjusting an adjustable ossicular prosthesis including an ossicular implant and an adjusting device is provided. The ossicular implant includes a first fixation element, an elongated member extending from the first fixation element with a plurality of notches, a receiving member receiving a portion of the elongated member, and a resilient arm coupled to the elongated member. The resilient arm has a locked position fixing the receiving member relative to the elongated member and the length of the implant, and an unlocked position. The adjusting device includes first and second arms having first and second sets of jaws coupled thereto, the first and second sets of jaws configured to selectively engage the implant, the second set of jaws being configured to position the resilient arm in the unlocked position when engaging the receiving member of the implant, and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the length of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GYRUS ENT L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20110071356
    Abstract: A flexible-shaft surgical instrument is provided that can be repeatably bent to one or more desired angles on demand by a user without the use of a special bending tool. The flexible-shaft surgical instrument can be repeatably bent and re-bent into multiple positions without plastic deformation of the flexible-shaft surgical instrument occurring in any of one or more bend portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GYRUS ENT, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20100087711
    Abstract: A flexible-shaft surgical instrument is provided that can be repeatably bent to one or more desired angles on demand by a user without the use of a special bending tool. The flexible-shaft surgical instrument can be repeatably bent and re-bent into multiple positions without plastic deformation of the flexible-shaft surgical instrument occurring in any of one or more bend portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: GYRUS ENT, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7197415
    Abstract: A method for setting or calibrating a machine tool wherein the critical components the machine tool are identified as are the critical devices that are employed to affect their position and each of the possible positions to which each of the critical devices may be set. Possible combinations consisting of one possible position for each of the critical devices are evaluated to identify the possible combinations that adversely effect the output of the machine tool. A method for calibrating an extrusion press and a tooling set for obtaining data to calibrate an extrusion press are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy L. Jamison, H. Glenn Dennis, Norman P. Lebel, Kevin C. Edwards, Kevin N. Young
  • Patent number: 6938342
    Abstract: A method for reducing seizure when a cageless ball bearing is placed in a hostile environment where foreign particles can enter the bearing, comprises removing at least one ball from a full complement of balls. In so doing, a larger circumferential gap between balls is created, thereby making it more difficult for foreign particles to become lodged between balls and seize the ball bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040267472
    Abstract: A method for setting or calibrating a machine tool wherein the critical components the machine tool are identified as are the critical devices that are employed to affect their position and each of the possible positions to which each of the critical devices may be set. Possible combinations consisting of one possible position for each of the critical devices are evaluated to identify the possible combinations that adversely effect the output of the machine tool. A method for calibrating an extrusion press and a tooling set for obtaining data to calibrate an extrusion press are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Tommy L. Jamison, H. Glenn Dennis, Norman P. Lebel, Kevin C. Edwards, Kevin N. Young
  • Patent number: 6367978
    Abstract: A seize resistant cageless ball bearing (20) includes an inner race (22), an outer race (24) which define a radial space (26) therebetween. A plurality of balls (28) are circumferentially disposed in radial space (26). The number of balls (28) is selected so that cageless ball bearing (20) has at least one ball less than a full complement of balls (28). By removing at least one ball (28) a large maximum circumferential gap (34) is formed. In a preferred embodiment, maximum circumferential gap (34) subtends and angle A of between about 50° and 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5581826
    Abstract: An automatic flow shift valve for use with swimming pool cleaning systems including a pool skimmer system for removing floating debris from the surface of the pool and an underwater pool cleaner system for removing debris from the floor of the pool, both of such systems operating through water suction by the periodic "on" and "off" cyclic operation of a suction pump. The valve is mounted over a flow orifice in a cover plate which is removably secured across the top of the well and removable debris basket of the skimmer and the underwater pool cleaner is connected by a hose to a second opening in the cover plate. The valve includes a central, fixed-position shift cylinder enclosing upper and lower spaced, but interconnected, pistons which are reciprocative within the shift cylinder. The upper piston is spring biased upwardly to open the valve when the pump is "off".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Philip L. Leslie
    Inventor: Kevin C. Edwards