Patents by Inventor Michael A. Morrison

Michael A. Morrison 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: 12377918
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Banks Morrison Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Banks, Jr., Michael A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 12291283
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Banks Morrison Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Banks, Jr., Michael A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 12240533
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Banks Morrison Innovations LLC
    Inventors: James E. Banks, Jr., Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20250065959
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: James E. Banks, JR., Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20240417003
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: James E. Banks, JR., Michael A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 11827283
    Abstract: A tailgate stop apparatus. The apparatus includes a base member configured to be fixed with respect to a primary gate assembly of a multiple-gate tailgate. The apparatus includes a stop member coupled to the base member, wherein the stop member is movable between a tailgate-engaged position configured to inhibit an inner gate panel of an inner gate assembly of the multiple-gate tailgate from being moved to a closed position, and a tailgate-disengaged position configured to allow the inner gate panel to be moved to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Banks Morrison Innovations LLC
    Inventors: James E. Banks, Jr., Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20230322309
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: James E. Banks, JR., Michael A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 11702148
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Banks Morrison Innovations LLC
    Inventors: James E. Banks, Jr., Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20220048580
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: James E. Banks, JR., Michael A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 11161555
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Banks Morrison Innovations LLC
    Inventors: James E. Banks, Jr., Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20210107572
    Abstract: A tailgate stop apparatus. The apparatus includes a base member configured to be fixed with respect to a primary gate assembly of a multiple-gate tailgate. The apparatus includes a stop member coupled to the base member, wherein the stop member is movable between a tailgate-engaged position configured to inhibit an inner gate panel of an inner gate assembly of the multiple-gate tailgate from being moved to a closed position, and a tailgate-disengaged position configured to allow the inner gate panel to be moved to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: James E. Banks, JR., Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20210070377
    Abstract: A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: James E. Banks, JR., Michael A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7284279
    Abstract: Improvements in security relating to the use of personalized document production equipment. The invention has particular use with respect to printers that are used to produce plastic cards, such as financial cards and identification cards. The invention prevents the unauthorized production of personalized documents through the use of stolen or fraudulently obtained production equipment or software. The equipment is locked until a user enters authorization data that matches authorization data stored in memory of the equipment. The equipment is able to power-up in the locked state, at which point the user is prompted to enter the authorization data. As a result, if the equipment is stolen, the thief is unable to operate the equipment without the necessary authorization data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Morrison, James A. Jordan, Jon E. Freise
  • Patent number: 7070100
    Abstract: A desktop card printer having an external communication link, a multi-platform standardized PDL controller in communication with the link, and at least one data writer in communication with the controller. The controller controls the data output of data writers. The controller may be a PCL® controller. The data writers may include one or more print heads for visible printing, magnetic write heads for writing to magnetic media, and smart card contacts for writing to embedded smart card chips. The printer may include one or more couplers in communication with one or more of the data writers, for converting information into a form usable by the data writer. The data link may be a USB or Telnet link. The printer may include an internal USB hub. Image processing and decision making may be performed primarily or entirely within the printer, in particular within the processor. The printer may be commanded by a dedicated host, such as a personal computer, or it may be connected to a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Davie, Craig A. Lebakken, Michael A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20030182587
    Abstract: Improvements in security relating to the use of personalized document production equipment. The invention has particular use with respect to printers that are used to produce plastic cards, such as financial cards and identification cards. The invention prevents the unauthorized production of personalized documents through the use of stolen or fraudulently obtained production equipment or software. The equipment is locked until a user enters authorization data that matches authorization data stored in memory of the equipment. The equipment is able to power-up in the locked state, at which point the user is prompted to enter the authorization data. As a result, if the equipment is stolen, the thief is unable to operate the equipment without the necessary authorization data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Michael A. Morrison, James A. Jordan, Jon E. Freise
  • Patent number: D522566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Stender, Faith J. Rekowski, Arthur J. Paulson, Michael A. Morrison, Charles A. Angell, Brian Clemens
  • Patent number: D481341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Michael A. Morrison