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: 10940636
    Abstract: One example of a flexible structure includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, and the first end is configured to be releasably connected to the second end. As well, one or more living hinges are positioned in the elongate body between the first end and the second end, and the one or more living hinges are configured and arranged to enable the first end and second end to be moved toward each other. Finally, the flexible structure is configured to alternatively assume at least a flat state and an assembled state, and in the assembled state, the first end of the elongate body is connected to the second end of the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, Eric Olsen
  • Publication number: 20210060469
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold and a filter cartridge in magnetic communication with one another, such that a latching mechanism and latch blocking structure in the manifold secures the filter cartridge with a manifold sump when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump. The magnetic communication is formed between two complementary coded magnets capable of producing a magnetic shear force when in close proximity to one another. The magnetic shear force removes the latching blocking structure from interfering with the latch, allowing the latch to secure the filter cartridge. Movement of the latching blocking structure coded magnet relative to the filter cartridge coded magnet may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Garett Strandemo, Jordan Robert Fuhs, Matthew W. Hartmann, Gregory Gene Hortin, Jason Morgan
  • Publication number: 20210062559
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold and a filter cartridge in magnetic communication with one another, such that a latching mechanism and latch blocking structure in the manifold secures the filter cartridge with a manifold sump when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump. The magnetic communication is formed between two complementary coded magnets capable of producing a magnetic shear force when in close proximity to one another. The magnetic shear force removes the latching blocking structure from interfering with the latch, allowing the latch to secure the filter cartridge. Movement of the latching blocking structure coded magnet relative to the filter cartridge coded magnet may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Garett Strandemo, Jordan Robert Fuhs, Matthew W. Hartmann, Gregory Gene Hortin, Jason Morgan
  • Publication number: 20200360844
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold including a sump housing and a first correlated magnet located on or connected to a portion of the manifold, and a filter cartridge including a filter media, first and second end caps sealed to the filter media, and a second, paired correlated magnet located on or connected to the filter cartridge housing body. The first and second correlated magnets are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the sump housing, and upon movement of the filter cartridge into an alignment position, the correlated magnet located on or connected to the manifold is permitted to translate as a result of the magnetic communication. The polarity profiles of the paired correlated magnets are aligned such that a repulsion force is created when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Jason Morgan, Garett Strandemo, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20200360931
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold including a sump housing and a first correlated magnet located on or connected to a portion of the manifold, and a filter cartridge including a filter media, first and second end caps sealed to the filter media, and a second, paired correlated magnet located on or connected to the filter cartridge housing body. The first and second correlated magnets are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the sump housing, and upon movement of the filter cartridge into an alignment position, the correlated magnet located on or connected to the manifold is permitted to translate as a result of the magnetic communication. The polarity profiles of the paired correlated magnets are aligned such that a repulsion force is created when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Garett Strandemo, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 10800677
    Abstract: An electrolytic zinc dosing device that regulates the amount of zinc delivered or dosed into a flowing stream of water as a function, in part, of the current applied to an electrolytic cell and the flow rate of the flowing water. A replaceable electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode connected to a power supply, and at least one bipolar electrode in aqueous solution between the anode and cathode. Flow rate information and/or total current information are used to determine the dosing quantity of zinc delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ECOWATER SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Dimotsis
  • Publication number: 20200317545
    Abstract: An electrolytic zinc dosing device that regulates the amount of zinc delivered or dosed into a flowing stream of water as a function, in part, of the current applied to an electrolytic cell and the flow rate of the flowing water. A replaceable electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode connected to a power supply, and at least one bipolar electrode in aqueous solution between the anode and cathode. Flow rate information and/or total current information are used to determine the dosing quantity of zinc delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Dimotsis
  • Publication number: 20200129899
    Abstract: A filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly. The filter base includes a base platform having fluid ingress and egress stanchions, and a wire harness assembly including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly. The wire harness assembly includes conductors extending between first and second connectors, with one or more resilient contacts provided on the second connector. The connector housing has an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and is dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts. The contacts are flexible from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of the filter housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20200129897
    Abstract: A filter base for receiving a mating filter housing assembly having a base platform having fluid ingress and egress stanchions, and a wire harness assembly including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the mating filter housing assembly. The wire harness assembly having conductors extending between first and second connectors, with one or more resilient contacts provided on the second connector. The contacts are flexible from a first position to a second position when curved contact sections of the one or more contacts engage a mating connection surface of the complementary mating filter housing assembly. The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board, wherein the contact curved contact sections are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads when the filter housing assembly is received within the filter base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20200108338
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 10605515
    Abstract: A foot assembly includes a block retainer and a non-skid block. The block retainer is configured to be positioned at least proximate to an edge between a bottom surface and a side surface of a structure. The block retainer includes a planar portion, an angled portion, and a front surface. The planar portion has an interior surface configured to contact the bottom surface. The angled portion is diposed at an angle from the planar portion and includes an interior surface configured to contact an angled contact surface of the structure. The front surface includes a first dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF). The non-skid block is connected to the planar portion and includes an exterior portion extending from the front surface away from the structure and includes a second DCOF greater than the first DCOF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Stanford, Robert A. Astle, Gary Phillips
  • Publication number: 20200086248
    Abstract: An authentication system for authenticating a water filter cartridge at an appliance is provided. The water filter cartridge comprises a connection assembly having one or more connection devices that are structured for engaging an electrical connector of an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. A method of use of the water filter cartridge at the appliance comprises inserting the water filter cartridge into a receptacle of an appliance water filter manifold assembly. A method of authentication of the water filter cartridge comprises establishing an electrical communication link between a memory device of a water filter cartridge and an appliance water filter manifold assembly of the appliance, and retrieving, via the electrical communication link, a unique identifier associated with the water filter cartridge from the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Ken Brandt, Marcelo C. Candeo, Ramesh Subramanian, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III, Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser
  • Publication number: 20200091638
    Abstract: A wire harness assembly including a first connector, a second connector, and conductors extending between the first connector and the second connector. Contacts are provided on the second connector. The contacts have termination sections which are mounted on the second connector, compliant sections which extend from the termination sections, and substrate engagement sections which extend from the compliant sections. The substrate engagement sections have curved contact sections which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with circuit pads of a mating printed circuit board. Embossments are provided on the curved contact sections to provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Chong Hun Yi, Brian Keith Weaver, William James Moyer, II, Ronald Skovira, Gary Altemose, Richard Benjamin Emenheiser, William Thomas Anniss, III, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William L. Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Stephan Rousey, Robert Astle, George Nicholas Lauri, III
  • Publication number: 20200023568
    Abstract: In one example, a structure includes a flexible plastic body having a first end and a second end, as well as a first side and a second side disposed opposite each other. The first side includes a first group of segments, and the second side includes a second group of segments. The structure also includes a group of living hinges integral with the body, and one of the living hinges is positioned between segments, and the living hinges enable the flexible plastic body to alternatively assume a flat state, or another state in which the body is not flat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, Eric Olsen
  • Publication number: 20200001211
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: William Li, Robert Astle, Bruno Chima
  • Publication number: 20190319720
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of calibrating a power amplifier system to compensate for envelope amplitude misalignment are provided. In certain configurations, a method of calibrating a power amplifier system includes generating a supply voltage of a power amplifier using an envelope tracker based on shaping a scaled envelope signal using shaping data generated at a target gain compression, controlling a variable gain of a variable gain amplifier based on a gain control level signal, changing the variable gain by adjusting the gain control level signal using a calibration module, monitoring an output of the power amplifier to determine an amount of variable gain at which a detected gain compression of the power amplifier corresponds to the target gain compression of the shaping data, and calibrating the power amplifier system to compensate for envelope amplitude misalignment based on the determined amount of variable gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: David Steven Ripley, Sabah Khesbak, Benjamin Bartram, Kevin Lee Cobley, Robert Astle Henshaw, Julian Hildersley, Robert John Thompson
  • Patent number: D891193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Stanford, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D891194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Stanford, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: D892565
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Allen Keetch
  • Patent number: D904129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Astle