Patents by Inventor Mark A. Spangler

Mark A. Spangler 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: 10113252
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling and improving the consistency of yarn texture in a yarn system. The system and method are configured to monitor, improve and/or control the operating parameters of the yarn system. A plurality of sensors sense the operating conditions and send the sensed conditions to a processor. The processor and/or a user monitoring the system can make adjustments to the operating parameters in a parameter is outside of a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Beard Boetsch, Kevin Cowart, Mark Spangler, Larry Sims, Brent Brown, Nathan Smith, Chris Cooper
  • Patent number: 10011805
    Abstract: A candle wick includes a first portion oriented perpendicular to a second portion to form a candle wick with a plus-shaped configuration. A wick clip includes a first slot oriented perpendicular to a second slot to form a wick clip plus-shaped configuration sized to receive the plus-shaped configuration of the candle wick. The first slot of the wick clip is configured to receive the first portion of the candle wick, and the second slot of the wick clip is configured to receive the second portion of the candle wick. The candle wick and wick clip form a clip assembly. A candle comprises a plus-shaped candle wick held in place by a wick clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ramaker, Beth A. Larson, Mark A. Spangler
  • Patent number: 9951445
    Abstract: A system and method for automated control and improvement of the consistency of yarn texture in a yarn system. The system and method are configured to monitor, improve and/or control the operating conditions of the yarn system. A plurality of sensors sense the operating conditions and send the sensed conditions to a processor. The processor monitoring the system can cause adjustments to the operating conditions to be made if a condition is outside of a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Beard Boetsch, Kevin Cowart, Mark Spangler, Larry Sims, Brent Brown, Nathan Smith, Chris Cooper
  • Patent number: 9896786
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling and improving the consistency of yarn texture in a yarn system. The system and method are configured to monitor, improve and/or control the operating parameters of the yarn system. A plurality of sensors sense the operating conditions and send the sensed conditions to a processor. The processor and/or a user monitoring the system can make adjustments to the operating parameters in a parameter is outside of a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Beard Boetsch, Kevin Cowart, Mark Spangler, Larry Sims, Brent Brown, Nathan Smith, Chris Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170158987
    Abstract: A substantially planar wick is formed with a two- or three-dimensional pattern. The contours of this pattern are determined by the desired flame characteristics or the desired visual aesthetics of the pattern itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Mark A. Spangler
  • Patent number: 9658379
    Abstract: A fiber optic display device reciprocates fiber optics to create decorative optical fiber light displays. The device can include one or more optical fibers contained at one end by a holding member and left suspended freely at the other end. The holding member and optical fibers are functionally attached about a pivot point axis that is across the longitudinal axis of the fibers and the holding member, to a housing. A light source can be affixed to either the holding member or the housing, opposite the freely suspended optical fiber ends, and is oriented to expose and illuminate the optical fibers. A drive means causes the holding member and optical fibers to reciprocate back and forth about the pivot point axis of the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Mark Spangler
  • Patent number: 9644172
    Abstract: A substantially planar wick is formed with a two- or three-dimensional pattern. The contours of this pattern are determined by the desired flame characteristics or the desired visual aesthetics of the pattern itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20150191855
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling and improving the consistency of yarn texture in a yarn system. The system and method are configured to monitor, improve and/or control the operating parameters of the yarn system. A plurality of sensors sense the operating conditions and send the sensed conditions to a processor. The processor and/or a user monitoring the system can make adjustments to the operating parameters in a parameter is outside of a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: ERIC BEARD BOETSCH, KEVIN COWART, MARK SPANGLER, LARRY SIMS, BRENT BROWN, NATHAN SMITH, CHRIS COOPER
  • Publication number: 20140196264
    Abstract: A system and method for automated control and improvement of the consistency of yarn texture in a yarn system. The system and method are configured to monitor, improve and/or control the operating conditions of the yarn system. A plurality of sensors sense the operating conditions and send the sensed conditions to a processor. The processor monitoring the system can cause adjustments to the operating conditions to be made if a condition is outside of a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beard Boetsch, Kevin Cowart, Mark Spangler, Larry Sims, Brent Brown, Nathan Smith, Chris Cooper
  • Publication number: 20140104869
    Abstract: A fiber optic display device reciprocates fiber optics to create decorative optical fiber light displays. The device can include one or more optical fibers contained at one end by a holding member and left suspended freely at the other end. The holding member and optical fibers are functionally attached about a pivot point axis that is across the longitudinal axis of the fibers and the holding member, to a housing. A light source can be affixed to either the holding member or the housing, opposite the freely suspended optical fiber ends, and is oriented to expose and illuminate the optical fibers. A drive means causes the holding member and optical fibers to reciprocate back and forth about the pivot point axis of the holding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Mark Spangler
  • Publication number: 20140053381
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling and improving the consistency of yarn texture in a yarn system. The system and method are configured to monitor, improve and/or control the operating parameters of the yarn system. A plurality of sensors sense the operating conditions and send the sensed conditions to a processor. The processor and/or a user monitoring the system can make adjustments to the operating parameters in a parameter is outside of a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Beard Boetsch, Kevin Cowart, Mark Spangler, Larry Sims, Brent Brown, Nathan Smith, Chris Cooper
  • Publication number: 20130157207
    Abstract: A substantially planar wick is formed with a two- or three-dimensional pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20120314444
    Abstract: An optical fiber display apparatus includes a housing, a holding member moveable about a pivot point axis functionally connected to the housing, and one or more fiber optic strands having a first end attached to the holding member and a second end unrestrained. The fiber optic strands define a longitudinal axis, and the pivot point axis of the holding member is non-parallel to the fiber strands axis such that movement of the holding member about the pivot point axis causes the second unrestrained end of the fiber strand to move back and forth along a line that is non-parallel to the longitudinal fiber strand axis. A light source illuminates the first end of the fiber strands, so that light emits from the second end of the fiber strands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Mark Spangler
  • Publication number: 20120148966
    Abstract: A candle wick includes a first portion oriented perpendicular to a second portion to form a candle wick with a plus-shaped configuration. A wick clip includes a first slot oriented perpendicular to a second slot to form a wick clip plus-shaped configuration sized to receive the plus-shaped configuration of the candle wick. The first slot of the wick clip is configured to receive the first portion of the candle wick, and the second slot of the wick clip is configured to receive the second portion of the candle wick. The candle wick and wick clip form a clip assembly. A candle comprises a plus-shaped candle wick held in place by a wick clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: James Ramaker, Beth A. Larson, Mark A. Spangler
  • Patent number: D582063
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Spangler, Lynn A. Clark, Neohni B. Warner
  • Patent number: D582580
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Spangler, Lynn A. Clark, Neohni B. Warner
  • Patent number: D679441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ramaker, Beth A. Larson, Mark A. Spangler
  • Patent number: D685518
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ramaker, Beth A. Larson, Mark A. Spangler
  • Patent number: D727557
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Smith Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Neohni Warner, Lorene Robinson, Jennifer Choate, Jon Irvan, Mark A. Spangler
  • Patent number: D754910
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SMITH MOUNTAIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Neohni Warner, Lorene Robinson, Jennifer Choate, Jon Irvan, Mark A. Spangler