Patents by Inventor Michael John Simmons
Michael John Simmons 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).
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Patent number: 11955296Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Publication number: 20240096576Abstract: A method of converting a switch assembly from a non-contact switch assembly to a contact switch assembly to detect an event. The method includes securing an adapter body outside of an enclosed housing of the switch assembly, with an actuation body connected to the adapter body, so that a target connected to the actuation body is supported outside of the enclosed housing by the adapter body and so that the actuation body is disposed to be moved relative to the adapter body from a first orientation to second orientation, upon occurrence of the event, to activate the switch assembly by moving the target between a first location outside of the enclosed housing and a second location outside of the enclosed housing. In one example, the target may be one or more of a magnetic target or a ferrous target.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 11837421Abstract: A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Robert L LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 11575670Abstract: An adaptive user authentication system is disclosed that executes user authentication by verifying user identity using different authentication steps based on a risk score. The risk score enables determining if the requesting user's identity is to be verified. If it is determined that the user identity is to be verified, a sequence of authentication steps is implemented wherein more and more data is collected regarding the user as the user fails to be authenticated at each of the authentication steps. A first authentication step includes a numerical-based authentication step followed by a second authentication step including a live image authentication. If the user fails to be authenticated at either the first or the second authentication steps then a third authentication step to verify the user's passport is implemented.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITEDInventors: Anthony Peter McDougall, Michael John Simmons, Gerard Johan Landman
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Publication number: 20220392722Abstract: High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first plunger housing having a first cavity and a second plunger housing having a second cavity. The first plunger housing and the second plunger housing to couple to enclose a plunger assembly of a proximity switch. A first contact housing defines a third cavity and a second contact housing defines a fourth cavity. At least a portion of the third cavity and at least a portion of the fourth cavity are complementary to a shape of an outer surface of the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Anthony Wayne Klosterman, Michael John Simmons
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Publication number: 20220344109Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Publication number: 20220310337Abstract: A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 11443905Abstract: High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a ceramic contact base having an opening therein configured to removably receive a contact, a first ceramic plunger housing portion and a second ceramic plunger housing portion, the first ceramic plunger housing portion including a first protrusion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion including a first recess, the first recess to receive the first protrusion, and a first ceramic contact housing portion and a second ceramic contact housing portion, the first ceramic contact housing portion including a second protrusion and a first cavity, the second ceramic contact housing portion including a second recess and a second cavity, the first ceramic plunger housing portion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion, and the ceramic contact base configured to be coupled in between the first and second cavities when the second recess receives the second protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Anthony Wayne Klosterman, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 11417475Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 11246023Abstract: A location-based risk alerting system is disclosed. When information regarding a risk assessment situation is received, the location and time attributes of the risk assessment situation are extracted, a risk score is calculated and a risk alert is generated to include the attributes and the risk score upon validating the received information for risk. The risk alert is transmitted to client devices of subscribers where a user-specific risk score is calculated at each client device based on a comparison of the distance of the client device from the location attribute and the time at which the risk alert is received with the time attribute. The risk alert is displayed at the client device based on the user-specific risk score and information regarding the user is shared with trusted authorities upon receiving user consent.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITEDInventors: Anthony Peter Mcdougall, Michael John Simmons
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Publication number: 20210258756Abstract: A location-based risk alerting system is disclosed. When information regarding a risk assessment situation is received, the location and time attributes of the risk assessment situation are extracted, a risk score is calculated and a risk alert is generated to include the attributes and the risk score upon validating the received information for risk. The risk alert is transmitted to client devices of subscribers where a user-specific risk score is calculated at each client device based on a comparison of the distance of the client device from the location attribute and the time at which the risk alert is received with the time attribute. The risk alert is displayed at the client device based on the user-specific risk score and information regarding the user is shared with trusted authorities upon receiving user consent.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITEDInventors: Anthony Peter Mcdougall, Michael John Simmons
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Publication number: 20210233724Abstract: High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a ceramic contact base having an opening therein configured to removably receive a contact, a first ceramic plunger housing portion and a second ceramic plunger housing portion, the first ceramic plunger housing portion including a first protrusion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion including a first recess, the first recess to receive the first protrusion, and a first ceramic contact housing portion and a second ceramic contact housing portion, the first ceramic contact housing portion including a second protrusion and a first cavity, the second ceramic contact housing portion including a second recess and a second cavity, the first ceramic plunger housing portion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion, and the ceramic contact base configured to be coupled in between the first and second cavities when the second recess receives the second protrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Anthony Wayne Klosterman, Michael John Simmons
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Publication number: 20210176242Abstract: An adaptive user authentication system is disclosed that executes user authentication by verifying user identity using different authentication steps based on a risk score. The risk score enables determining if the requesting user's identity is to be verified. If it is determined that the user identity is to be verified, a sequence of authentication steps is implemented wherein more and more data is collected regarding the user as the user fails to be authenticated at each of the authentication steps. A first authentication step includes a numerical-based authentication step followed by a second authentication step including a live image authentication. If the user fails to be authenticated at either the first or the second authentication steps then a third authentication step to verify the user's passport is implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITEDInventors: Anthony Peter MCDOUGALL, Michael John SIMMONS, Gerard Johan LANDMAN
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Publication number: 20210057171Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 9460875Abstract: Magnetic switches are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a mount and a switch actuator assembly coupled to the mount. The switch actuator assembly includes a body, a trigger, and a first magnet oriented to be attracted to a second magnet. Movement of the body from a first position to a second position is to cause relative movement between the first magnet and the second magnet and relative movement between the trigger and a switch.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Bruce Robert Penning, Robert Lynn LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
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Patent number: 8866571Abstract: An enclosed proximity switch assembly includes a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure that are coupled to form an interior volume. A shaft protrusion upwardly extends from a top surface of the top enclosure, and an interior bore portion having an enclosed volume is defined within the shaft protrusion to form a portion of the interior volume. A first end of a vertical shaft is rotatably disposed within the interior bore portion such that the shaft rotates relative to the top and bottom enclosures. A samarium cobalt target magnet is coupled to the shaft, and the target magnet interacts with a samarium cobalt driver magnet within a proximity switch when the target magnet is rotated within a predetermined distance of a top portion of the proximity switch. The interaction causes a switch to move from a first state to a second state, or vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lynn LaFountain, Gregory Curtis Merrifield, Michael John Simmons, Brian Phillip Pate