Patents by Inventor Robert A. Astle

Robert A. Astle 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: 6900700
    Abstract: A communication semiconductor integrated circuit has an oscillator circuit forming part of a transmission PLL circuit fabricated on a single semiconductor chip together with an oscillator circuit forming part of a reception PLL circuit and an oscillator circuit for an intermediate frequency. The oscillator circuit forming part of the transmission PLL circuit is configured to be operable in a plurality of bands. A circuit for measuring the oscillating frequency of the oscillator circuit forming part of the transmission PLL circuit is also used for measuring the oscillating frequency of the oscillator circuit forming part of the reception PLL circuit or for measuring the oscillating frequency of the oscillator circuit for the intermediate frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., TTPCOM Limited
    Inventors: Hirotaka Oosawa, Jiro Shinbo, Noriyuki Kurakami, Masumi Kasahara, Robert Astle Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20050103241
    Abstract: An end cap for a structure such as a table leg is disclosed. The end cap may include a retention assembly with an elongated body and a head. The elongated body may be disposed inside an opening in the table leg and the head may be disposed outside the opening in the table leg. The end cap may also include an annular member and at least a portion of the table leg may be disposed inside the annular member. The annular member may also include a lip and the lip is preferably disposed between an end of the table leg and the head of the retention assembly to limit axial movement of the annular member relative to the table leg. Advantageously, because the annular portion of the end cap may rotate relative to the table leg, it may allow the table to be easily moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: David Winter, L. Strong, Thayne Haney, Robert Astle
  • Publication number: 20050104421
    Abstract: A chair including a backrest and a chair seat is disclosed. The back rest and the chair seat are preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and an opening or hole may be disposed through a portion of the chair. The opening is preferably formed in the backrest and the opening may extend completely through the backrest. Advantageously, the opening may form at least a portion of a handle and the opening may be formed during the blow-molding process. The chair may also include a frame and one or more legs that support the chair seat and backrest above a surface such as the floor or ground. In addition, the chair may include a first groove formed in the lower portion of the chair seat and a second groove formed in the lower portion of the chair seat, and a first crossbar may be at least partially disposed within the first groove and a second crossbar may be at least partially disposed within the second groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Martin Neunzert
  • Publication number: 20050087108
    Abstract: A table may include a table top, a frame and one or more support members such as legs. Advantageously, the table top may include a generally planar upper surface and a generally planar lower surface. In particular, the lower surface of the table top may be substantially free of any downwardly extending projections such as a lip. Desirably, the table includes a frame and at least a portion of the frame is exposed and visible when the table is being used. In addition, the table may include one or more guard members that are sized and configured to protect portions of the table, such as the corners. Significantly, the guard members may be selectively connected to the table top or the frame, which may allow the guard members to be repaired or replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: David Winter, Robert Astle, S. Nye, Kent Ashby, L. Strong
  • Publication number: 20050028711
    Abstract: A slotted brace may be used, for example, to connect a table leg to a table and the slotted brace may allow the table leg to be moved between a collapsed position and an extended position relative to the table. The slotted brace may include a body with an elongated slot and a guide at least partially disposed within the elongated slot. The slotted brace may also include a first position in which the table leg is retained in a generally fixed position relative to the table top and a second position in which the table leg is movable relative to the table. A cover may be connected to the slotted brace and the cover may include an indicator that is sized and configured to indicate to a user that a force should be applied to the indicated portion to allow the slotted brace to be released from the first position and into the second position to allow the table leg to be moved relative to the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Neunzert, Thayne Haney, Robert Astle, L. Strong
  • Publication number: 20050001380
    Abstract: A table is disclosed having a table top and legs to support the table top. The table top can be constructed from blow-molded plastic having an upper surface and a spaced apart lower surface. The upper surface can have features formed therein including, but not limited to, a central portion and a boundary portion. The boundary portion can include various retaining regions for holding game pieces, beverages, and the like. The lower surface can include a plurality of depressions formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: David Winter, L. Strong, S. Nye, Kent Ashby, Robert Astle
  • Publication number: 20040266385
    Abstract: Receiving properties are greatly improved by varying and outputting an output voltage of I/Q signals, which correspond to an input level in a semiconductor integrated circuit device for baseband processing. When a portable terminals system reaches a training period after power is supplied thereto, a switch is turned on and another switch is turned off and a digital comparator compares an adjustment voltage outputted from an output-voltage adjustment circuit and a reference voltage of a baseband circuit to output comparison results thereof. A control circuit controls and adjusts, based on the comparison results, a voltage-controlled unit so that an adjustment voltage may become nearly equivalent to the reference voltage of the baseband circuit. Thereby the output level of the I signals (, Q signals) outputted from the RF processing unit is corrected, and the output levels of the I signals (, Q signals) are set to be equivalent to that of the reference voltage of the baseband circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Takeshi Uchitomi, Akira Okasaka, Robert Astle Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20040198257
    Abstract: A polar-loop wireless communication apparatus includes, on a forward path between an amplitude detector and a power amplifier which constitute an amplitude control loop, a variable gain amplifier and a switch to change characteristics of a loop filter to output a frequency bandwidth of the amplitude control loop to an order less than an order for normal operation. The system is operated with the characteristics set to the lower order to measure outputs from the power amplifier to calibrate the output power of the power transmitter, and the register is operated with the characteristics set to the higher order to measure the open loop gain of the amplitude control. According to results of the calculation, data to correct gain characteristics of the variable gain amplifier with respect to an output control signal is stored in a nonvolatile memory of a baseband circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Ryoichi Takano, Kenji Toyota, Patrick Wurm, Robert Astle Henshaw, David Freeborough
  • Publication number: 20040185971
    Abstract: A basketball goal system may include a backboard, an elongated support that positions the backboard above a playing surface, a backboard support assembly that connects the backboard to the elongated support, and a goal support assembly with a rim and a support member. Preferably the support member is attached to the backboard support assembly behind a plane that is generally aligned with the front surface of the backboard. In addition, the basketball goal system may include a resistance mechanism to create a breakaway type basketball rim. The resistance mechanism is also preferably positioned behind a plane that is generally aligned with the front surface of the backboard. Advantageously, the basketball goal system may be part of a portable basketball system and/or a basketball system in which the height of the backboard and rim is adjustable relative to the playing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: S. Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle, Christopher A. Parada, Kevin Bingham, David C. Winter
  • Publication number: 20040185970
    Abstract: A basketball backboard may include one or more weights disposed proximate the perimeter of the backboard in order to enhance the rebounding characteristics of the backboard. In particular, a first weight may be positioned proximate a first side of the backboard and a second weight may be positioned proximate a second side of the backboard in order to enhance the rebounding characteristics of the backboard. Advantageously, the weights may be positioned internally within the backboard or the weights may be positioned externally to the backboard. In addition, the weights may be selectively or permanently attached to the backboard, and the weights may also be sized and configured to increase the rigidity of the basketball backboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: S. Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D502028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Ashby, David C. Winter, S. Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D503441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Stanford, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D505497
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Kent Ashby
  • Patent number: D489925
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D490261
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, David C. Winter, S. Curtis Nye, Thayne B. Haney
  • Patent number: D491233
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, L. Curtis Strong, S. Curtis Nye, Kent Ashby, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D495909
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D498091
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Robert A. Astle, S. Curtis Nye, Kent Ashby, L. Curtis Strong
  • Patent number: D498800
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle, Christopher Anthony Parada, Kevin Bingham
  • Patent number: D499283
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Robert A. Astle, S. Curtis Nye, Kent Ashby, L. Curtis Strong