Patents by Inventor Lee Howard

Lee Howard 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: 11180323
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing gaps in article or package processing. In some embodiments, the system can include a conveying path along which a first advanced article and a second advanced article can be advanced. The system can further include a first stop location and a second stop location. The first stop location can include movable fingers that are configured to raise to stop the advance of the articles and then lower at specific times to allow the articles to advance with specific distances between the articles. Additionally, the system can include a paddle that also raises and lowers. The paddle lowers to stop an advancing article again, and in doing so, front-end registers the article. Then the paddle can raise to allow the package to advance again along the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: Neal J. Middelberg, Richard D. Johnson, Taner Lee Howard
  • Patent number: 11142129
    Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle front trunk utility systems for increasing the usefulness of front truck cargo spaces. In exemplary embodiments, a vehicle front trunk utility system includes a utility table that may be deployed between a first configuration in which the utility table functions as a floor liner of a cargo space of the front trunk and a second configuration in which the utility table functions as a tabletop or work space that extends away from the cargo space. The utility systems of this disclosure may additionally or alternatively include various other utility features including but not limited to storage compartments, lighting, battery and stereo interface panels, power outlets, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lee Howard, II, Roger Hicks, Mark McChesney, Russell Allan Sims, William K. Moore, Ehab Naguib Kaoud, Joshua Edward Brooker
  • Patent number: 11064773
    Abstract: An apparatus to be used as the slider on a zipper chain is disclosed. The apparatus may include a slider that may be configured with an attachment that may add decorative elements to the slider. The attachment may be configured to the slider using a mount that may include an inner opening that may receive the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: TALON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Nields, Stephen Lee Howard
  • Patent number: 10994947
    Abstract: An overhead reverse diverter for diverting cartons passing under the diverter along a primary transport path, the diverter including a diverter frame arranged over a space through which the cartons move along the primary transport path, a divert belt, and one or more divert paddles attached to the divert belt. The divert belt may be movable along a movement profile when the diverter is triggered to divert one or more of the cartons from the primary transport path, such that the one or more divert paddles are configured to sweep through the space through which the cartons pass as the divert belt moves along the movement profile to divert one or more of the cartons from the primary transport path along one or more divert paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: Neal J. Middelberg, Craig S. Adcock, Taner Lee Howard, Mark Gerard Paul, Richard Johnson
  • Patent number: 10959375
    Abstract: A catcher bag for ground tending machine such as a power lawn mower. The catcher bag is constructed of biodegradable perforated paper and replaces an O.E.M. fabric catcher bag. The disclosed catcher bag can mount on a variety of O.E.M. catcher bag frames of O.E.M. rear discharge lawn mowers, and greatly eases the effort of collecting and disposing of lawn clippings and leaf debris by eliminating labor-intensive, cumbersome, and often messy/dusty steps in transferring debris from a fabric catcher bag into a standard paper lawn refuse disposal bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Richard Lee Howard, II, Chase Richard Howard
  • Publication number: 20210053498
    Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle front trunk utility systems for increasing the usefulness of front truck cargo spaces. In exemplary embodiments, a vehicle front trunk utility system includes a utility table that may be deployed between a first configuration in which the utility table functions as a floor liner of a cargo space of the front trunk and a second configuration in which the utility table functions as a tabletop or work space that extends away from the cargo space. The utility systems of this disclosure may additionally or alternatively include various other utility features including but not limited to storage compartments, lighting, battery and stereo interface panels, power outlets, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Richard Lee HOWARD, II, Roger HICKS, Mark MCCHESNEY, Russell Allan SIMS, William K. MOORE, Ehab Naguib KAOUD, Joshua Edward BROOKER
  • Publication number: 20200289308
    Abstract: An ostomy appliance for receiving waste is described including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening; a waste collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls; a first weld portion positioned to one side of the appliance and which connects the first and second walls together, which first weld portion extends away from a periphery of the appliance and downwardly towards a bottom of the appliance; and a second weld portion positioned on an opposite side of the appliance to the first weld portion and which connects the first and second walls together, which second weld portion extends away from a periphery of the appliance and downwardly towards a bottom of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Iain Powner, Lee Howard, Jesus Alfaro
  • Publication number: 20200289307
    Abstract: A drainable ostomy appliance including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening; a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls; a connection member connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening, the outlet terminating at an opening; a first stiffening member positioned at or near the opening and extending across the outlet, the first stiffening member having an edge portion which is positioned close to the opening of the outlet; a second stiffening member positioned at or near the opening and extending across the outlet, the second stiffening member having an edge portion which is positioned close to the opening of the outlet; wherein the edge portions abut or are positioned next to each other when the opening is closed and wherein the edge portion
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, lain Powner
  • Publication number: 20200281761
    Abstract: A drainable ostomy appliance including first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries. The first wall has a stoma-receiving opening, and collecting cavity is defined between fee first and second walls. A connection member is connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user. An outlet extends away from the stoma-receiving opening and terminates at an opening. A stiffening member is positioned at or near the opening which extends across the outlet. The stiffening member has first and second end portions positioned at respective sides of the outlet, and a thickness of a portion of the stiffening member at or near its first end portion is greater than a thickness of a portion of the stiffening member at or near its second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, Iain Powner, Jesus Alfaro
  • Patent number: 10767812
    Abstract: A post mountable support includes: an elongate flexible bow having a first end and a second end that is distal from the first end; a top notch formed at the first end of the elongate flexible bow, the top notch including an open side and a tab extending at least partially over the open side of the top notch; a bottom notch formed at the second end of the elongate flexible bow, the bottom notch including an open side and a tab extending at least partially over the open side, the open side of the bottom notch facing a direction that is opposite a direction of the open side of the top notch; a connector attached to the elongate flexible bow between the top notch and the bottom notch, the connector configured to removably receive an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Lee Howard
  • Patent number: 10709970
    Abstract: Described herein are electronic gaming machines, and methods of operating electronic gaming machines, configured to enable display of game display data and additional information via common video output. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed to enable display of information such as machine diagnostics and bonus games, for example via a secondary display device. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology Limited
    Inventor: Lee Howard Weekes
  • Publication number: 20200214873
    Abstract: A drainable ostomy appliance includes first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries. The first wall has a stoma-receiving opening, and a collecting cavity is defined between the first and second walls. A connection member is connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user. An outlet extends away front the stoma-receiving opening and terminates at an opening. A stiffening member is positioned at or near the opening which extends across the outlet. The stiffening member has first and second sides which extend across the outlet, with the first side being closer to the stoma receiving opening than the second side. A thickness of the stiffening member increases as it extends from the first side to the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, Iain Powner, Jesus Alfaro
  • Publication number: 20200214875
    Abstract: A drainable ostomy appliance including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening; a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls; a connection member connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening, the outlet terminating at an opening; and a first stiffening member positioned immediately adjacent the opening on a wall of the outlet facing the user, in use, the first stiffening member extending across the outlet; and a second stiffening member positioned next to the first stiffening member, further away from the outlet than the first stiffening member and on the same wall as the first stiffening member, the second stiffening member also extending across the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, Iain Powner, Jesus Alfaro
  • Publication number: 20200214872
    Abstract: A drainable ostomy appliance including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening; a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls; a connection member connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening, the outlet having an opening for waste and the outlet being formed from at least one wall which terminates at a wall edge; and a stiffening member which is connected to the wall forming the outlet, the stiffening member being positioned such that it overlaps the edge of said wall effectively extending the length of the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Lee TRETHEWAY, Lee HOWARD, Iain POWNER, Jesus ALFARO
  • Patent number: 10688697
    Abstract: A drape forming apparatus for use in forming a composite structure. The apparatus includes a forming tool including an upper forming surface and at least one side forming surface that extends from the upper forming surface. The forming tool receives at least one layer of composite material over the upper forming surface. The apparatus also includes a flange forming device including a tray coplanarly aligned with the upper forming surface when in a first operating position. The tray is configured to receive a flange portion of the at least one layer of composite material. A pressurized bladder extends over the forming tool and the tray. The pressurized bladder is configured to induce a first force against the tray such that the tray rotates about a pivot line, and such that the flange portion is withdrawn from the tray and draped over the at least one side forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David John Sundquist, Trevor Lee Howard, Eric Eldon Deck, Steven J. Burpo, Kurtis Shuldberg Willden
  • Publication number: 20200170357
    Abstract: An apparatus to be used as the slider on a zipper chain is disclosed. The apparatus may include a slider that may be configured with an attachment that may add decorative elements to the slider. The attachment may be configured to the slider using a mount that may include an inner opening that may receive the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas B. Nields, Stephen Lee Howard
  • Patent number: 10532686
    Abstract: A refuse bag support apparatus for use with a vehicle is provided. The support apparatus includes a base member having a frame and a first pad slidably mounted to a second pad, the first pad and the second pad oriented substantially parallel to each other and able to adjust to create space sufficiently large to permit a tire of the vehicle to be disposed between the first pad and the second pad to support the base member, and a collar mechanically coupled to the frame of the base member. The collar supports a refuse bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Lee Howard
  • Patent number: D936213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Salts Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, Iain Powner, Jesus Alfaro
  • Patent number: D938579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Salts Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, Iain Powner, Jesus Alfaro
  • Patent number: D939081
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Salts Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Lee Tretheway, Lee Howard, Iain Powner, Jesus Alfaro