Patents by Inventor Patrick Melton
Patrick Melton 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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Publication number: 20230293208Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical implant includes simultaneously forming a first component and a second component of the surgical implant. Formation of the first and second components includes depositing a first quantity of material to a building platform and fusing the first quantity of material to form a first layer of the first and second components. The method of manufacturing also includes depositing a second quantity of material over the first layer of the first and second components and fusing the second quantity of material to form a second layer of the first and second components. The surgical implant is fully assembled upon the completion of the formation of the first and second components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Patrick Melton, Michael Prosser
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Patent number: 11701146Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical implant includes simultaneously forming a first component and a second component of the surgical implant. Formation of the first and second components includes depositing a first quantity of material to a building platform and fusing the first quantity of material to form a first layer of the first and second components. The method of manufacturing also includes depositing a second quantity of material over the first layer of the first and second components and fusing the second quantity of material to form a second layer of the first and second components. The surgical implant is fully assembled upon the completion of the formation of the first and second components.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Melton, Michael Prosser
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Patent number: 11497615Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Rick D. Guyer, Patrick Melton, Nick Padovani, Josh David Rubin, Casey Lee
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Publication number: 20210290273Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical implant includes simultaneously forming a first component and a second component of the surgical implant. Formation of the first and second components includes depositing a first quantity of material to a building platform and fusing the first quantity of material to form a first layer of the first and second components. The method of manufacturing also includes depositing a second quantity of material over the first layer of the first and second components and fusing the second quantity of material to form a second layer of the first and second components. The surgical implant is fully assembled upon the completion of the formation of the first and second components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Patrick Melton, Michael Prosser
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Patent number: 11006981Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical implant includes simultaneously forming a first component and a second component of the surgical implant. Formation of the first and second components includes depositing a first quantity of material to a building platform and fusing the first quantity of material to form a first layer of the first and second components. The method of manufacturing also includes depositing a second quantity of material over the first layer of the first and second components and fusing the second quantity of material to form a second layer of the first and second components. The surgical implant is fully assembled upon the completion of the formation of the first and second components.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Melton, Michael Prosser
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Publication number: 20200315602Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor device and a blade assembly. The retractor device includes a support and first and second arms. The retractor blade assembly includes first and second blades. Each of the first and second blades includes an elongate portion and a tubular portion. The elongate portion includes an engaging portion releasably coupled with the retractor device. The tubular portion extends distally from the elongate portion. The tubular portion defines a bore dimensioned to receive a housing of a bone screw. The tubular portion includes a clip deflectable radially outward. The clip is deflectable between a first state, in which, the clip is deflected radially outward such that the clip disengages the housing of the bone screw positioned in the tubular portion, and a second state, in which, the clip engages the housing of the bone screw positioned in the tubular portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Melton, Michael Prosser
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Publication number: 20200214849Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Rick D. Guyer, Patrick Melton, Nick Padovani, Josh David Rubin, Casey Lee
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Patent number: 10617531Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: K2M, Inc.Inventors: Rick Guyer, Patrick Melton, Nick Padovani, Josh Rubin, Casey Lee
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Publication number: 20190008562Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical implant includes simultaneously forming a first component and a second component of the surgical implant. Formation of the first and second components includes depositing a first quantity of material to a building platform and fusing the first quantity of material to form a first layer of the first and second components. The method of manufacturing also includes depositing a second quantity of material over the first layer of the first and second components and fusing the second quantity of material to form a second layer of the first and second components. The surgical implant is fully assembled upon the completion of the formation of the first and second components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Patrick Melton, Michael Prosser
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Publication number: 20170112633Abstract: A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper end plate including an outer surface extending between first and second end surfaces and opposed side surfaces. The outer surface includes a first convex profile extending between the first and second end surfaces and a second convex profile extending between the opposed side surfaces. The first convex profile and the second convex profile have different curvatures. The spinal implant further includes a lower end plate and a core disposed between the upper and lower end plates and coupled thereto. A method of assembling a spinal implant and a method of performing spinal surgery are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Rick Guyer, Patrick Melton, Nick Padovani, Josh Rubin, Casey Lee
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Patent number: 8544277Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine includes a portion where the aft end of a combustor liner is sealed to a forward end of a transition piece. A cover sleeve surrounds the aft end portion of the combustor liner to form an annular airflow passage between the exterior of the combustor liner and the inner side of the cover sleeve. A plurality of turbulators project radially outward from the combustor liner. One or more circumferential rows of supports also extend radially outward from the combustor liner to support the cover sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Patrick Melton
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Patent number: 8171737Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a cap assembly which gradually increases the volume of compressed air provided to the combustor assembly, and which slows the compressed air in a controlled manner before delivering the compressed air into a combustor area. The cap assembly includes inner and outer sleeves which are mounted in a concentric fashion. The annular space formed between the inner and outer sleeves gradually increases from an aft end to a forward end. A stepped portion is formed on the inner sleeve of the cap assembly, and this stepped portion is joined to a corresponding combustor liner.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Patrick Melton
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Patent number: 8042339Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lean direct injection (LDI) combustion system for a gas turbine using a shell and tube heat exchanger concept to construct a shell and tube lean direct injector (“LDI”) for the combustion system. One side of the LDI injector, either the shell side or the tube side, carries an oxidizer, such as air, to the combustor, while the other side of the LDI injector carries fuel to the combustor. Straight or angled holes drilled in an end plate of the combustor allow the fuel to enter the combustor and mix with air being injected into the combustor.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Benjamin Lacy, Balachandar Varatharajan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gilbert O. Kraemer, Gregory Allen Boardman, Ertan Yilmaz, Patrick Melton
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Publication number: 20110120135Abstract: A turbine includes a transition portion where a combustor section joins a transition piece. The combustor section includes a combustor liner having an aft end that joins a transition piece body of the transition piece. A reduced thickness portion at the aft end of the combustor liner is covered by a cover sleeve to form an air flow passage on the aft end of the combustor liner. Apertures in the forward portion of the cover sleeve allow cooling air to flow into air flow passage. A plurality of turbulators project radially outward from the reduced thickness portion of the combustor sleeve towards said cover sleeve. An arch shaped resilient seal structure is positioned between the cover sleeve and the transition piece body. Supports formed on the reduced thickness portion of the combustor liner bear against the inside of the cover sleeve to prevent the cover sleeve from deforming inward due to a force applied by the seal, thereby ensuring that the air flow passage remains open.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Thomas Edward JOHNSON, Patrick MELTON
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Patent number: 7918433Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly includes: a first bracket component having a first pair of laterally spaced securement tabs; a second bracket component having a second pair of laterally spaced securement tabs; wherein said first and second bracket components are engageable with each other such that respective ones of each of the first and second pairs of securement tabs are located adjacent each other and adapted to engage corresponding pairs of recesses in a machine component.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Melton, Kyle Kidder
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Publication number: 20100180602Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a cap assembly which gradually increases the volume of compressed air provided to the combustor assembly, and which slows the compressed air in a controlled manner before delivering the compressed air into a combustor area. The cap assembly includes inner and outer sleeves which are mounted in a concentric fashion. The annular space formed between the inner and outer sleeves gradually increases from an aft end to a forward end. A stepped portion is formed on the inner sleeve of the cap assembly, and this stepped portion is joined to a corresponding combustor liner.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Thomas Edward JOHNSON, Patrick Melton
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Publication number: 20090321608Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly includes: a first bracket component having a first pair of laterally spaced securement tabs; a second bracket component having a second pair of laterally spaced securement tabs; wherein said first and second bracket components are engageable with each other such that respective ones of each of the first and second pairs of securement tabs are located adjacent each other and adapted to engage corresponding pairs of recesses in a machine component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Melton, Kyle Kidder
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Publication number: 20090229269Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lean direct injection (LDI) combustion system for a gas turbine using a shell and tube heat exchanger concept to construct a shell and tube lean direct injector (“LDI”) for the combustion system. One side of the LDI injector, either the shell side or the tube side, carries an oxidizer, such as air, to the combustor, while the other side of the LDI injector carries fuel to the combustor. Straight or angled holes drilled in an end plate of the combustor allow the fuel to enter the combustor and mix with air being injected into the combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Benjamin Lacy, Balachandar Varatharajan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gilbert O. Kraemer, Gregory Allen Boardman, Ertan Yilmaz, Patrick Melton
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Publication number: 20090120093Abstract: In a combustor for a turbine a cover sleeve is disposed between the aft end portion of the combustor liner and a resilient seal structure to define an air flow passage therebetween. The cover sleeve has at a forward end thereof a plurality of air inlet feed holes for directing cooling air into the air flow passage. A radially outer surface of the combustor liner aft end portion defining the air flow passage includes a plurality of turbulators projecting towards but spaced from the cover sleeve and a plurality of supports extending to and engaging the cover sleeve to space the cover sleeve from the turbulators to define the air flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Patrick Melton
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Publication number: 20060267305Abstract: A vehicle axle assembly is provided including an axle housing having legs extending along an axis. Each housing leg has a wall defining an interior cavity with the wall having a first locating feature formed therein. The first locating feature may be an indentation in the wall of the axle housing that may be in the shape of a concave dimple or a trough running transverse to the axis. The first locating feature may also be a protrusion instead of an indentation. A suspension component is secured to the housing leg by clamps. A suspension component includes a second locating feature of a complimentary shape to the first locating feature. The locating features cooperate to axially locate the suspension component on the housing leg preventing lateral movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Inventor: Patrick Melton