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).

  • Patent number: 11955296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Publication number: 20240096576
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 11837421
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 11575670
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Peter McDougall, Michael John Simmons, Gerard Johan Landman
  • Publication number: 20220392722
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Anthony Wayne Klosterman, Michael John Simmons
  • Publication number: 20220344109
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Publication number: 20220310337
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 11443905
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Anthony Wayne Klosterman, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 11417475
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 11246023
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Peter Mcdougall, Michael John Simmons
  • Publication number: 20210258756
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Peter Mcdougall, Michael John Simmons
  • Publication number: 20210233724
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Anthony Wayne Klosterman, Michael John Simmons
  • Publication number: 20210176242
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Peter MCDOUGALL, Michael John SIMMONS, Gerard Johan LANDMAN
  • Publication number: 20210057171
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 9460875
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Penning, Robert Lynn LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 8866571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lynn LaFountain, Gregory Curtis Merrifield, Michael John Simmons, Brian Phillip Pate