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: 9067653
    Abstract: In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel H Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent R Steed, Eric M Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Publication number: 20150155834
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for envelope tracking calibration are provided. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier, an envelope tracker that generates the power amplifier's supply voltage, a power detector, and a calibration module. The envelope tracker includes an envelope shaping table generated at a desired gain compression and a scaling module that scales an amplitude of an envelope signal. The power detector measures the power amplifier's output power, and the calibration module provides calibration data to the scaling module to change the scaling of the envelope signal's amplitude. The calibration module sets the calibration data to a first value corresponding to a supply voltage level associated with substantially no gain compression, and reduces the supply voltage level by changing the calibration data until the power detector indicates that the gain compression of the power amplifier is about equal to the desired gain compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: David Steven Ripley, Sabah Khesbak, Benjamin Bartram, Kevin Lee Cobley, Robert Astle Henshaw, Julian Hildersley, Robert John Thompson
  • Patent number: 8989682
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for envelope tracking calibration are provided. In one embodiment, a method of calibrating an envelope tracker having an envelope shaping table generated at a desired gain compression of a power amplifier is provided. The method includes generating a supply voltage for the power amplifier using the envelope tracker, operating the supply voltage of the power amplifier at a first voltage level associated with substantially no gain compression of the power amplifier, and measuring an output power of the power amplifier at the first voltage level. The method further includes decreasing a voltage level of the supply voltage one or more times and measuring the output power at each voltage level, determining a second voltage level of the power amplifier associated with a gain compression equal to about that of the desired gain compression, and calibrating the envelope tracker based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Skyworks Solutions, Inc., Nujira Ltd.
    Inventors: David Steven Ripley, Sabah Khesbak, Benjamin Bartram, Kevin Lee Cobley, Robert Astle Henshaw, Julian Hildersley, Robert John Thompson
  • Patent number: 8443427
    Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a method of controlling access to a network resource. The method comprises receiving a request to grant a user access to the network resource, the request including a user identifier, determining whether the received user identifier is stored in a local user data store associated with the resource, and where it is not so determined determining, from user details stored in a master user data store, whether the user is authorized to access the resource, and where it is so determined obtaining a password, and storing the obtained password and user details in the local data store associated with the network resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gerald Dolan, John Couchot, Robert Astle
  • Publication number: 20130017743
    Abstract: In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel H. Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent R. Steed, Eric M. Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Publication number: 20120220397
    Abstract: In one example, a basketball system includes a base, a post connected at least indirectly to the base, a backboard, a backboard support structure connected at least indirectly to the backboard, a biasing mechanism connected at least indirectly to the backboard support structure, and an adjustment mechanism connected at least indirectly to the backboard support structure, the post, and the biasing mechanism, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the adjustment mechanism toward a fully extended state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Joel Bennett
  • Publication number: 20120200354
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for envelope tracking calibration are provided. In one embodiment, a method of calibrating an envelope tracker having an envelope shaping table generated at a desired gain compression of a power amplifier is provided. The method includes generating a supply voltage for the power amplifier using the envelope tracker, operating the supply voltage of the power amplifier at a first voltage level associated with substantially no gain compression of the power amplifier, and measuring an output power of the power amplifier at the first voltage level. The method further includes decreasing a voltage level of the supply voltage one or more times and measuring the output power at each voltage level, determining a second voltage level of the power amplifier associated with a gain compression equal to about that of the desired gain compression, and calibrating the envelope tracker based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: NUJIRA LTD, SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Steven Ripley, Sabah Khesbak, Benjamin Bartram, Kevin Lee Cobley, Robert Astle Henshaw, Julian Hildersley, Robert John Thompson
  • Patent number: 8172706
    Abstract: A basketball system may include a basketball goal and a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball system may also include an adjustment assembly that is sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted. The adjustment assembly may include an arm that is connected to the structure connecting the basketball goal and the support structure. The arm may include a plurality of receiving portions, such as openings or slots, and an engaging member may be connected to the support structure. When the engaging portion is connected to a first receiving portion, the basketball goal may be disposed at a first height. Preferably, when the engaging portion is connected to a second receiving portion, the basketball goal may be disposed at a second height. The adjustment assembly may also include a locking mechanism that is sized and configured to lock the arm and basketball goal in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell Peery, Brent Steed, Gary Phillips, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: 8132372
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of components, such as floor panels, wall panels and roof panels, which may be interconnected to form a structure such as a shed. For example, the shed may include wall panels with connecting portions that are sized and configured to allow adjacent wall panels to be interconnected. The wall panels may also include outwardly extending projections that allow the wall panels to be connected to the floor panels. In addition, the wall panels may include receiving portions that may receive portions of the roof panels, such as an outwardly extending lip. Advantageously, a truss may extend through the receiving portions in the wall panels and the truss may include a channel that is sized and configured to allow any water that enters the shed through a roof panel seam to be removed from the shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lifetime Products Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calken, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Patent number: 8091289
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a floor constructed from one or more floor panels. The floor panels, which may be constructed from blow-molded plastic, may include a pattern disposed on the upper surface. The floor panels may also include depressions that are formed in the lower surface and extend towards the upper surface. If desired, the depressions may be generally aligned with a portion of the pattern in the upper surface and the depressions may have a length that is less than the distance separating the upper surface and the lower surface. Advantageously, the depressions may be sized and configured to increase the strength of the floor panels. In addition, the floor panels may include a pattern disposed on the lower surface and the depressions may be at least partially disposed in the pattern. The patterns on the opposing sides of the panels may be generally offset and/or have different orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Patent number: 8051617
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. The panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and a first pattern may be disposed on one surface and a second pattern may be disposed on an opposing surface. One or more points of intersection may be located where the first pattern and the second pattern overlie, and a depression may be disposed at the points of intersection. The depressions are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Patent number: 8020347
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include one or more roof panels. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The shed may also include one or more support beams that may be connected to the truss and may be connected to one or more panels. The shed may include one or more brackets used to connect a pair of panels that are positioned at an angle to form a corner of the shed. The shed may also include a cover, which may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the brackets. A plurality of roof panels may be positioned within a shipping container to form storage areas or cavities sized and configured to receive all or at least a portion of one or more floor panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20110185403
    Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a method of controlling access to a network resource. The method comprises receiving a request to grant a user access to the network resource, the request including a user identifier, determining whether the received user identifier is stored in a local user data store associated with the resource, and where it is not so determined determining, from user details stored in a master user data store, whether the user is authorized to access the resource, and where it is so determined obtaining a password, and storing the obtained password and user details in the local data store associated with the network resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Gerald DOLAN, John COUCHOT, Robert ASTLE
  • Patent number: 7971930
    Abstract: A picnic table may include a table and one or more seat members disposed about the table. One end of each seat member is preferably pivotally attached to the table by a support structure so that the seat member may pivot or rotate between various positions relative to the table top. One or more feet may be connected to the support structures and the feet may be sized and configured to facilitate movement of the seat members relative to the table top. The picnic table may also include a frame and the frame may include a plurality of elongated support members with a first end and a second end. The elongated support members may be interconnected to form a generally polygon-shaped structure and an end of each support member may extend beyond the perimeter of the generally polygon-shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jered Larsen, S. Curtis Nye, L. Curtis Strong, Robert A. Astle
  • Patent number: 7946936
    Abstract: A sports system may include a base and a support structure that is sized and configured to support a goal, such as a netball goal or a basketball goal, at a height above a playing surface. The base may be constructed from plastic and may include a hollow interior portion that is sized and configured to receive ballast. The base may also include a protrusion that is sized and configured to abut a support surface and the protrusion may have an at least substantially solid construction. The sports system may further include a brace that may be connected to the support structure and the base. The brace may be disposed through an opening formed in the base and it may be connected to the base by a sleeve and a pin that is disposed within a receiving portion formed in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Stanford, Sharon Jones, Robert A. Astle, Wendell Peery, Danny Green, Gary Phillips, S. Curtis Nye
  • Patent number: 7926227
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a plurality of corner panels that are constructed from blow-molded plastic. Each of the corner panels may include a living hinge that generally divides the corner panel in half and allows the corner panel to be moved between a generally planar position to facilitate packaging of the shed and an angled position. The shed may also include a plurality of wall panels constructed from blow-molded plastic and disposed between the corner panels. The living hinge is preferably generally vertically positioned when the corner panels are used to construct the shed and the living hinge preferably extends generally from a top portion of the corner panel to a lower portion of the corner panel. Advantageously, the living hinge may be used to construct other portions of the shed such as shelves, skylights and roof caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20110011010
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. The panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and a first pattern may be disposed on one surface and a second pattern may be disposed on an opposing surface. One or more points of intersection may be located where the first pattern and the second pattern overlie, and a depression may be disposed at the points of intersection. The depressions are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Patent number: D714412
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A Astle, Danny Green, Joel Bennett, Eric Olsen
  • Patent number: D715386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Olsen, Robert A. Astle, Brent R. Allen
  • Patent number: D723127
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Robert A. Astle, Joel Bennett, Eric Olsen