Patents by Inventor Michael A. Swartz

Michael A. Swartz 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: 11305972
    Abstract: A vehicle lift utilizes a locally stored energy source configured to deliver energy at a high rate to a DC motor to provide a fast rise time and to replenish that energy at a lower rate over a relatively longer period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: VEHCILE SERVICE GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Elliot, Michael A. Swartz, Jason E. Matthews, Douglas J. Brown, Brian E. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8083034
    Abstract: A lift control interface is operable to control and monitor a lift system. Each lift column in the system has such a lift control interface. The lift control interface allows a user to assign lift columns to a lift system. One or more of the assigned lift columns may be assigned to a column control group. The user may lock the selection of these columns. The status of the assigned, selected, and locked lift columns may appear on every lift control interface in the lift system. The user may govern operation of the selected columns in the column control group from a single control interface, such as any control interface at any of the selected columns. The lift control interfaces may include visual representations showing the relationships between the lift columns and a vehicle, such as with lift column icons being positioned around a vehicle icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Bordwell, Robert W. Elliott, David P. Porter, Jason T. Stewart, Michael A. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20090236183
    Abstract: A lift control interface is operable to control and monitor a lift system. Each lift column in the system has such a lift control interface. The lift control interface allows a user to assign lift columns to a lift system. One or more of the assigned lift columns may be assigned to a column control group. The user may lock the selection of these columns. The status of the assigned, selected, and locked lift columns may appear on every lift control interface in the lift system. The user may govern operation of the selected columns in the column control group from a single control interface, such as any control interface at any of the selected columns. The lift control interfaces may include visual representations showing the relationships between the lift columns and a vehicle, such as with lift column icons being positioned around a vehicle icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Rotary Lift, a Division of Dover Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bordwell, Robert W. Elliott, David P. Porter, Jason T. Stewart, Michael A. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6592173
    Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: William H. Hardgrove, Hiroaki Yamamoto, Michael A. Swartz, Andrew G. Yorde
  • Publication number: 20020149231
    Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Hardgrove, Hiroaki Yamamoto, Michael A. Swartz, Andrew G. Yorde
  • Patent number: 6436329
    Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: William H. Hardgrove, Hiroaki Yamamoto, Michael A. Swartz, Andrew G. Yorde
  • Publication number: 20020031643
    Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: WILLIAM H. HARDGROVE, HIROAKI YAMAMOTO, MICHAEL A. SWARTZ, ANDREW G. YORDE
  • Patent number: 6277319
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser trimming a shaped plastic workpiece use a laser beam positioned and directed by a robotic arm traveling along a pre-programmed path to trim the edges of a workpiece held against a positioning block. Preferably, the positioning block includes a laser beam capturing channel comprising suction holes for removing smoke generated by the ablation and burning of the plastic so as to minimize the risk of smoke damage to the workpiece and to remove soot and vapors from the work area. At the same time, laser beams are inhibited form reflecting back off the block onto the workpiece by positioning the channel under the workpiece and along the predetermined cutting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: William H. Hardgrove, Michael A. Swartz, Andrew G. Yorde
  • Publication number: 20010001516
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser trimming a shaped plastic workpiece use a laser beam positioned and directed by a robotic arm traveling along a pre-programmed path to trim the edges of a workpiece held against a positioning block. Preferably, the positioning block includes a laser beam capturing channel comprising suction holes for removing smoke generated by the ablation and burning of the plastic so as to minimize the risk of smoke damage to the workpiece and to remove soot and vapors from the work area. At the same time, laser beams are inhibited form reflecting back off the block onto the workpiece by positioning the channel under the workpiece and along the predetermined cutting path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: WILLIAM H. HARDGROVE, MICHAEL A. SWARTZ, ANDREW G. YORDE