Patents by Inventor Mark R. Smith

Mark R. Smith 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: 6748997
    Abstract: An upright connector or support post usable in a space-dividing wall panel system formed from serially connected panel assemblies. The post includes a plurality of openings disposed in vertically spaced relation with one another which receive load-bearing elements such as hangers or hooks typically associated with furniture components. Dimples or deformations extend transversely along the upper and lower edges of the openings and provide increased strength at the attachment points along the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignees: Haworth, Inc., Innotec Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Fricano, Richard Dixon, Mark R. Smith, Jonathan R. DeYoung, Scott J. Leenstra
  • Patent number: 6688371
    Abstract: A glide assembly for a space-dividing wall panel arrangement including a housing which is mounted within a lower open end of an upright support element associated with a wall panel assembly, and a stem which projects downwardly from the housing for supportive engagement with a floor. The housing includes a lock plate which defines thereon projections which wedgingly engage within correspondingly located openings in the support element. Tabs are provided on the support element which are deformed during assembly so as to engage the respective projections and prevent disengagement of the glide assembly from the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignees: Haworth, Inc., Innotec Corporation
    Inventors: Fred E. Rutan, Nicholas Fricano, Mark R. Smith, Jonathan R. DeYoung, Scott J. Leenstra
  • Publication number: 20030221383
    Abstract: A glide assembly for a space-dividing wall panel arrangement including a housing which is mounted within a lower open end of an upright support element associated with a wall panel assembly, and a stem which projects downwardly from the housing for supportive engagement with a floor. The housing includes a lock plate which defines thereon projections which wedgingly engage within correspondingly located openings in the support element. Tabs are provided on the support element which are deformed during assembly so as to engage the respective projections and prevent disengagement of the glide assembly from the support element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Fred E. Rutan, Nicholas J. Fricano, Mark R. Smith, Jonathan R. DeYoung, Scott J. Leenstra
  • Patent number: 6649200
    Abstract: A method for cheese ripening using a primary starter culture and an attenuated starter culture, wherein the attenuated starter culture is treated with a surface active agent, such as SDS, which substantially kills all of the attenuated starter culture cells, but maintain their enzyme activity, and accelerate cheese ripening without compromising flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Imperial Biotechnology Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Paul D. Browning, Denise Pawlett
  • Publication number: 20030201075
    Abstract: An upright connector or support post usable in a space-dividing wall panel system formed from serially connected panel assemblies. The post includes a plurality of openings disposed in vertically spaced relation with one another which receive load-bearing elements such as hangers or hooks typically associated with furniture components. Dimples or deformations extend transversely along the upper and lower edges of the openings and provide increased strength at the attachment points along the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Fricano, Richard Dixon, Mark R. Smith, Jonathan R. DeYoung, Scott J. Leenstra
  • Publication number: 20030180429
    Abstract: A method for accelerated cheese ripening using a primary starter culture and an attenuated bacterial starter culture, the attenuated bacterial starter culture is treated with surface active agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Paul D. Browning, Denise Pawlett
  • Publication number: 20010024667
    Abstract: A method for accelerated cheese ripening using a primary starter culture and an attenuated bacterial starter culture, the attenuated bacterial starter culture is treated with surface active agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Paul D. Browning, Denise Pawlett
  • Patent number: 5628483
    Abstract: A wrist rest (1) of specially designed height and other characteristics is provided for reducing strain on the wrists and hands of a keyboard operator or a similar user of computer accessories. The rest (1) is made to be placed in front of the keyboard or accessory being used, and may be designed to have a particular firmness for comfort. In some embodiments the rest has two foam rubber layers (20,30) about 3/4 inch thick total; the bottom surface has no "skin", to prevent the rest from slipping, while the upper surface has a smooth covering (10) so hands may slide around easily and comfortably. In order to allow rests designed for a normal keyboard to be adapted for use with an especially long keyboard, or with an accessory like a mousepad (4), one embodiment (3) of the invention has contours (101) which can interlock with similar contours (100) on an extension pad (2); these contours are also designed to be easily and inexpensively manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: ACCO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Philip G. Wessells
  • Patent number: 5585316
    Abstract: A cobalt catalyst for use in the Fischer Tropsch reaction of synthesis gas to form hydrocarbons is activated or regenerated by treatment of a cobalt containing catalyst with a gas containing carbon monoxide, said gas containing less than 30% v hydrogen. The catalyst obtained has increased activity and greater selectivity towards producing C.sub.5+ hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Barry Nay, Mark R. Smith, Clive D. Telford
  • Patent number: 5451020
    Abstract: A wrist rest (1) of specially designed height and other characteristics is provided for reducing strain on the wrists and hands of a keyboard operator or a similar user of computer accessories. The rest (1) is made to be placed in front of the keyboard or accessory being used, and may be designed to have a particular firmness for comfort. In some embodiments the rest has two foam rubber layers (20, 30) about 3/4 inch thick total; the bottom surface has no "skin", to prevent the rest from slipping, while the upper surface has a smooth covering (10) so hands may slide around easily and comfortably. In order to allow rests designed for a normal keyboard to be adapted for use with an especially long keyboard, or with an accessory like a mousepad (4), one embodiment (3) of the invention has contours (101) which can interlock with similar contours (100) on an extension pad (2); these contours are also designed to be easily and inexpensively manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Silicon Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Philip G. Wessells
  • Patent number: 5382739
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of lubricating oils having a viscosity index of at least 120 and a pour point of at least -45.degree. C. by (a) oligomerizing a mixture of C5-C20 1-olefins comprising at least 2.6% w/w of 1-decene and at least 6% w/w of 1-hexene in the presence of a catalyst. The lubricating oil so formed may be hydrogenated in the presence of hydrogen to improve the oxidation stability thereof. The process is particularly suited to olefins feeds produced during a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are passed over a heated catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Martin P. Atkins, Mark R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5358203
    Abstract: A wrist rest (1) of specially designed height and other characteristics is provided for reducing strain on the wrists and hands of a keyboard operator or a similar user of computer accessories. The rest (1) is made to be placed in front of the keyboard or accessory being used, and may be designed to have a particular firmness for comfort. In some embodiments the rest has two foam rubber layers (20,30) about 3/4 inch thick total; the bottom surface has no "skin", to prevent the rest from slipping, while the upper surface has a smooth covering (10) so hands may slide around easily and comfortably. In order to allow rests designed for a normal keyboard to be adapted for use with an especially long keyboard, or with an accessory like a mousepad (4), one embodiment (3) of the invention has contours (101) which can interlock with similar contours (100) on an extension pad (2); these contours are also designed to be easily and inexpensively manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Silicon Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Philip G. Wessells
  • Patent number: 5197699
    Abstract: A wrist rest (1) of specially designed height and other characteristics is provided for reducing strain on the wrists and hands of a keyboard operator or a similar user of computer accessories. The rest (1) is made to be placed in front of the keyboard or accessory being used, and may be designed to have a particular firmness for comfort. In some embodiments the rest has two foam rubber layers (20,30) about 3/4 inch thick total; the bottom surface has no "skin", to prevent the rest from slipping, while the upper surface has a smooth covering (10) so hands may slide around easily and comfortably. In order to allow rests designed for a normal keyboard to be adapted for use with an especially long keyboard, or with an accessory like a mousepad (4), one embodiment (3) of the invention has contours (101) which can interlock with similar contours (100) on an extension pad (2); these contours are also designed to be easily and inexpensively manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Silicon Sports
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Philip G. Wessels
  • Patent number: 5064201
    Abstract: A board game apparatus is provided wherein the players are challenged with an objective of advancing and arranging movable game pieces within certain designated areas on a game board without being captured by the opponent. The game apparatus comprises a game board having a playing surface consisting of a plurality of squares and boundary markings dividing the playing surface into a plurality of subset areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Mark R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5024434
    Abstract: Disclosed is a weight lifting apparatus which includes an elongated bar having a pair of spaced, open circular housings mounted thereto. Each of the circular housings has a support member extending inwardly along at least a portion of an inner circumference of the housing. A handle assembly is positioned within each of the circular housings and is rotatably mounted on the support member. Each handle assembly includes a pair of rotating handle members positioned on opposite sides of the support member and fastened together in sliding engagement with the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Mark R. Smith
  • Patent number: D383620
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: ACCO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Philip G. Wessells