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).
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Patent number: 7797885Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7779579Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. In particular, the modular enclosure may consist of a shed and the shed may be packaged within a container. For example, the shed may constructed from a number of outer wall panels and corner panels. The corner panels preferably include a living hinge that allows the corner panel to be moved between a generally planar position and an angled position. Advantageously, the wall panels and the corner panels may be capable of being stacked within the container to facilitate packaging of the shed when the corner panels are in the generally planar position.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: 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, Troy William Nye
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Publication number: 20100205871Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calken, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
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Patent number: 7770334Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a door assembly. The door assembly may include a door constructed from blow-molded plastic and a hinge member receiving portion may be disposed on one side of the door. Advantageously, the hinge member receiving portion may be integrally formed with the door as part of a unitary, one-piece construction. A hinge member may be disposed within the hinge member receiving portion and the hinge member may pivotally connect the door to the shed. The door may include a reinforcement member, which is preferably constructed from metal and disposed proximate the second side of the door. If desired, the reinforcement member may be at least partially exposed on an outer surface of the door. In addition, the door assembly may include a flange that is sized and configured to prevent water from unintentionally entering the shed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7770339Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include first and second roof panels that are separated by a seam. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The truss may include a channel that allows any moisture entering the shed from between the roof panels to be removed from the shed. In particular, a portion of the first roof panel and a portion of the second roof panel may be at least partially disposed within the channel. Advantageously, the truss may be constructed from metal, which may allow a strong and sturdy shed to be constructed, and the roof panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic, which may allow a lightweight and generally weather resistant shed to be produced.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7770337Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a number of components. For example, the enclosure may include roof panels, floor panels and wall panels that are connected to the roof and/or floor panels. Preferably, the wall panels span the seams disposed between the roof and/or floor panels. In addition, the wall panels are preferably offset from the roof and/or floor panels. Further, the roof panels, wall panels and floor panels desirably have a substantially similar width. The enclosure may also include one or more corner panels and the corner panels may have a living hinge that generally divides the corner panel in half. Advantageously, the offset connection of the roof panels, wall panels and floor panels may facilitate construction of an enclosure with increased strength and functionality.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7707947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: David C. Winter, Robert A. Astle, S. Curtis Nye, Kent Ashby, L. Curtis Strong
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Patent number: 7707783Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7658038Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20090295109Abstract: A wheelbarrow may include a receiving or load carrying portion, such as a tub or container, and wheels. The wheels are preferably disposed proximate a central portion of the tub. The wheelbarrow may also include a frame with a base or platform, which may connect the wheels and load carrying portion. In addition, the wheelbarrow may include a handle that is connected to the base or platform. A substantial portion of the capacity of the tub may be disposed below the handle and/or a substantial portion of the capacity of the tub may be disposed above the handle, which may help increase the stability and/or load capacity of the wheelbarrow. The frame may also include a front dump roll cage, which may be connected to the base or platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: David C. Winter, Kevin Boydston, Robert A. Astle, Jered Larsen, S. Curtis Nye
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Patent number: 7504903Abstract: In a communication semiconductor integrated circuit device, an oscillator of a PLL circuit can operate in a plurality of frequency bands. With a control voltage (Vc) of the oscillator fixed to a predetermined value (VDC), an oscillation frequency of the oscillator is measured for each band to be stored in a storage. When the PLL operates, a setting value to specify a band is compared with the measured frequency values stored in the storage. As a result of the comparison, a band to be actually used by the oscillator is determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., TTPCom LimitedInventors: Masumi Kasahara, Hirotaka Osawa, Robert Astle Henshaw
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Patent number: 7480345Abstract: In a polar loop based radio-communications apparatus having a phase control loop for controlling the phase of a carrier outputted from an oscillator for transmission, and an amplitude control loop for controlling the amplitude of a transmission output signal outputted from a power amplification circuit, the phase control loop is first started while maintaining the amplitude control loop in an off state at the outset of transmission, and the amplitude control loop is started after stabilizing the phase control loop.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., TTPCOM LimitedInventors: Noriyuki Kurakami, Patrick Wurm, Robert Astle Henshaw, David Freeborough
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Patent number: 7452035Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Martin Neunzert
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Patent number: 7433653Abstract: A transmitter adopting a polar loop system including a phase control loop for controlling the phase of a carrier signal outputted from a transmitting oscillator and an amplitude control loop for controlling the amplitude of a transmitting output signal outputted from a power amplification circuit, and designed to be capable of performing transmission using a GMSK modulation mode and transmission using an 8-PSK modulation mode. In the transmitter, the phase control loop is shared as a phase control loop for use in the GMSK modulation mode and a phase control loop for use in the 8-PSK modulation mode. A component similar to any one of components constituting a loop filter is provided in parallel therewith so that the component can be connected or disconnected in accordance with the modulation mode, for example, by use of a switching element.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., TTPCOM LimitedInventors: Ryoichi Takano, Kazuhiko Hikasa, Yasuyuki Kimura, Hiroshi Hagisawa, Patrick Wurm, Robert Astle Henshaw, David Freeborough
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Publication number: 20080214333Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Wendell Peery, Brent Steed, Gary Phillips, Robert A. Astle
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Patent number: 7419445Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: S. Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle
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Patent number: 7386064Abstract: In one embodiment, a PLL circuit is provided with a plurality of pull-in operation modes for pulling a voltage across a filter capacitor (C1, C2) in a lock-up voltage, and with a register (CRG) for designating one of the plurality of pull-in operation modes. The pull-in operation is performed in accordance with a setting value in the register.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., TTPCOM Limited, Hitachi Advanced Digital, Inc., Hitachi ULSI Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Yahagi, Ryoji Furuya, Fumiaki Matsuzaki, Robert Astle Henshaw
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Publication number: 20080026881Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Carl Stanford, Sharon Jones, Robert Astle, Wendell Peery, Danny Green, Gary Phillips, S. Nye
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Patent number: 7313369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., TTPcom LimitedInventors: Hirotaka Oosawa, Jiro Shinbo, Noriyuki Kurakami, Masumi Kasahara, Robert Astle Henshaw
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Publication number: 20070290531Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Jered Larsen, S. Nye, L. Strong, Robert Astle, Edward VanNimwegen, Donald Waite