Patents by Inventor Kirk S. Thomas

Kirk S. Thomas 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: 9717352
    Abstract: A system for dispensing, receiving, and tracking towels or other items includes a cabinet structure having first and second interior spaces. An access door provides access to the first interior space, and a return door permits items to be returned to the second interior space. An RFID system conducts read operations to determine how many items having RFID tags are disposed in the first and second interior spaces. The system determines what items have been removed from the first interior space, and associates removed items with specific users. The RFID system conducts read operations as items are returned to the second interior space and credits the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Steven P. Molewyk, Jack E. Spaans, Steven J. Lilly, Chad A. Davis, Kirk S. Thomas, Jeffrey A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20150366378
    Abstract: A system for dispensing, receiving, and tracking towels or other items includes a cabinet structure having first and second interior spaces. An access door provides access to the first interior space, and a return door permits items to be returned to the second interior space. An RFID system conducts read operations to determine how many items having RFID tags are disposed in the first and second interior spaces. The system determines what items have been removed from the first interior space, and associates removed items with specific users. The RFID system conducts read operations as items are returned to the second interior space and credits the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Steven P. Molewyk, Jack E. Spaans, Steven J. Lilly, Chad A. Davis, Kirk S. Thomas, Jeffrey A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8362878
    Abstract: A system for dispensing, receiving, and tracking towels or other items includes a cabinet structure having first and second interior spaces. An access door provides access to the first interior space, and a return door permits items to be returned to the second interior space. An RFID system conducts read operations to determine how many items having RFID tags are disposed in the first and second interior spaces. The system determines what items have been removed from the first interior space, and associates removed items with specific users. The RFID system conducts read operations as items are returned to the second interior space and credits the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: R.E.D. Stamp, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Molewyk, Jack E. Spaans, Steven J. Lilly, Chad A. Davis, Kirk S. Thomas, Jeffrey A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20110304433
    Abstract: A system for dispensing, receiving, and tracking towels or other items includes a cabinet structure having first and second interior spaces. An access door provides access to the first interior space, and a return door permits items to be returned to the second interior space. An RFID system conducts read operations to determine how many items having RFID tags are disposed in the first and second interior spaces. The system determines what items have been removed from the first interior space, and associates removed items with specific users. The RFID system conducts read operations as items are returned to the second interior space and credits the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Steven P. Molewyk, Jack E. Spaans, Steven J. Lilly, Chad A. Davis, Kirk S. Thomas, Jeffrey A. Davis
  • Patent number: 7006010
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for indicating events at various locations in a power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: Kirk S. Thomas, Don M. Westergren
  • Patent number: 6967583
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for indicating events at various locations in a power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Kirk S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030151308
    Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic tools and methods for a power distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Kirk S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030128133
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for indicating events at various locations in a power distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kirk S. Thomas, Don M. Westergren
  • Patent number: 6433698
    Abstract: A fault indicator for detecting the occurrence of a fault current in a monitored conductor and providing a light indication thereof includes a rotatably mounted indicator flag. The flag is positioned in either a reset indicating or a fault indicating state by a magnetic pole piece, which is magnetized in one magnetic direction or the other by momentary application of a current in one direction or the other to an actuator winding on the pole piece. A magnetically actuated reed switch in an auxiliary magnetic circuit comprising an auxiliary pole piece magnetized by the actuator winding and a bias magnet magnetically aligned to oppose the reset magnetic orientation and reenforce the trip magnetic orientation of the magnetic pole piece closes upon occurrence of the fault current to connect an internal lithium battery to an LED visible from the exterior of the fault indicator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: E.O. Schweitzer Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, Jr., Kirk S. Thomas