Patents by Inventor Laura Winfield Alexander

Laura Winfield Alexander 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: 9104285
    Abstract: A haptic device provides an indirect haptic device, having a substrate having a touch surface, a position sensor and a friction modulator associated with the substrate, a control device connected to the position sensor and the friction modulator, wherein a coefficient of friction on the touch surface is modulated in response to a sensed position of relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Publication number: 20150099392
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Publication number: 20150099393
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Patent number: 8910386
    Abstract: A hand pruner having a first and second handle, the first handle having a hook, formed at a far end, the second handle having a cutting blade formed at the far end. The first handle and hook and second handle and blade pivotally connected for movement with respect to each other. The blade and second handle having a cup formed between the blade and second handle. The hook and first handle having a cup formed between the hook and first handle. The cutting edge of the hook is formed along two concave intersecting arcs of different diameters, the smaller diameter arc located next to the pivot. The cutting edge of the blade is formed along two convex intersecting arcs having diameters that complement the two concave arcs in the hook cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Corona Clipper, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Atnip, Anthony Magana, James Wolf, Hyok Lee, Jeffrey Robert Burger, Laura Winfield Alexander, Sean Wesley Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20140347323
    Abstract: A haptic device provides an indirect haptic device, having a substrate having a touch surface, a position sensor and a friction modulator associated with the substrate, a control device connected to the position sensor and the friction modulator, wherein a coefficient of friction on the touch surface is modulated in response to a sensed position of relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael A. Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 8876546
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Patent number: 8836664
    Abstract: A haptic device provides indirect haptic feedback and includes a substrate having a touch surface, a position sensor and a friction modulator associated with the substrate, wherein a coefficient of friction of the touch surface is modulated in response to a sensed position of relative to the touch surface and/or a derivative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael Peshkin, John Glassmire, Laura Winfield Alexander
  • Patent number: 8780053
    Abstract: A haptic device is provided having a substrate with a touch surface and one or more actuators for vibrating the substrate in a multiplicity of higher resonant modes, each of which has a high enough frequency to be inaudible and high enough amplitude to create a friction reduction effect at a plurality of vibrating regions on the substrate touch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael Peshkin, Laura Winfield Alexander, Mario Schirru
  • Publication number: 20140038451
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable. The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end (before, during and/or after an electrical connection is established).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Patent number: 8616905
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable (e.g., while the cable is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cable tray). The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Publication number: 20130045623
    Abstract: A connector includes a cable tray configured to receive and retain a cable in a stable position and couple with a top cap configured to create an electrical connection with the cable as the top cap is manipulated in a predetermined manner while coupled with the cable tray. An upper surface of the cable tray is configured to receive the cable (e.g., while the cable is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cable tray). The cable tray also includes a finger extending beyond the first end for some distance longitudinally. The finger includes a protrusion that protrudes to some extent in a transverse direction so that a cable-accommodating gap is defined between the protrusion and the first end. The protrusion is configured to bear against the cable and retain the cable in the stable position when the cable is inserted between the protrusion and the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Tuck McGregor, James Michael Broughman, Allen R. Nelson, Darren Michael Mark, Laura Winfield Alexander, Donald Collins Meves
  • Publication number: 20120279072
    Abstract: A hand pruner having a first and second handle, the first handle having a hook, formed at a far end, the second handle having a cutting blade formed at the far end. The first handle and hook and second handle and blade pivotally connected for movement with respect to each other. The blade and second handle having a cup formed between the blade and second handle. The hook and first handle having a cup formed between the hook and first handle. The cutting edge of the hook is formed along two concave intersecting arcs of different diameters, the smaller diameter arc located next to the pivot. The cutting edge of the blade is formed along two convex intersecting arcs having diameters that complement the two concave arcs in the hook cutting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Corona Clipper, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Atnip, Anthony Magana, James Wolf, Hyok Lee, Jeffrey Robert Burger, Laura Winfield Alexander, Sean Wesley Svendsen
  • Publication number: 20090284485
    Abstract: A haptic device is provided having a substrate with a touch surface and one or more actuators for vibrating the substrate in a multiplicity of higher resonant modes, each of which has a high enough frequency to be inaudible and high enough amplitude to create a friction reduction effect at a plurality of vibrating regions on the substrate touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: James Edward Colgate, Michael Peshkin, Laura Winfield Alexander, Mario Schirru
  • Patent number: D698618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Corona Clipper, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Atnip, Anthony Magana, James Wolf, Hyok Lee, Jeffrey Robert Burger, Laura Winfield Alexander, Sean Wesley Svendsen