Patents by Inventor Robert A. Couturier

Robert A. Couturier 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).

  • Publication number: 20230186748
    Abstract: A lockdown system for use in a building including multiple rooms with doors providing access to the rooms, the lockdown system including: at least one room lockdown component provided in each of a plurality of the rooms, the room lockdown components comprising door-securing devices that are external of the doors and, in a deployed condition of the room lockdown components, are manually positioned inside said rooms to oppose inward movement of the doors and thereby block or secure the doors, the room lockdown components further characterized by a non-deployed condition in which the door-securing devices are positioned at storage locations inside the rooms, and wherein further each room lockdown component is operative to automatically signal initiation of a lockdown event when its door-securing device has been moved from its storage location; and at least one communication device operative to receive the signaled initiation of a lockdown event when any one or more of the door-securing devices have been moved fr
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. Thiel, Robert Couturier
  • Patent number: 11495109
    Abstract: A lockdown system for use in a building including multiple rooms with doors providing access to the rooms, the lockdown system including: at least one room lockdown component provided in each of a plurality of the rooms, the room lockdown components comprising door-securing devices that are external of the doors and, in a deployed condition of the room lockdown components, are manually positioned inside said rooms to oppose inward movement of the doors and thereby block or secure the doors, the room lockdown components further characterized by a non-deployed condition in which the door-securing devices are positioned at storage locations inside the rooms, and wherein further each room lockdown component is operative to automatically signal initiation of a lockdown event when its door-securing device has been moved from its storage location; and at least one communication device operative to receive the signaled initiation of a lockdown event when any one or more of the door-securing devices have been moved fr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: The LockOut Co., LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Thiel, Robert Couturier
  • Patent number: 10726697
    Abstract: A building lockdown system for a building with multiple rooms with doors providing access to the rooms, the system including smart light fixtures positioned inside and outside at least some of the rooms, at least some of the smart light fixtures configured to be selectively illuminated in each of a plurality of colors, and room lockdown components provided in the plurality of rooms, the room lockdown components adapted to block or secure the doors of the rooms against opening in a deployed condition of the lockdown components. The smart light fixtures and the room lockdown components are equipped with BLE sensors defining a BLE mesh network. The room lockdown components are adapted to communicate, via the BLE mesh network, whether they are in the deployed condition thereof, and are further adapted to provide audio and/or visual signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: THE LOCKOUT CO., LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Thiel, Robert Couturier
  • Publication number: 20190130723
    Abstract: A building lockdown system for a building with multiple rooms with doors providing access to the rooms, the system including smart light fixtures positioned inside and outside at least some of the rooms, at least some of the smart light fixtures configured to be selectively illuminated in each of a plurality of colors, and room lockdown components provided in the plurality of rooms, the room lockdown components adapted to block or secure the doors of the rooms against opening in a deployed condition of the lockdown components. The smart light fixtures and the room lockdown components are equipped with BLE sensors defining a BLE mesh network. The room lockdown components are adapted to communicate, via the BLE mesh network, whether they are in the deployed condition thereof, and are further adapted to provide audio and/or visual signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph A. Thiel, Robert Couturier
  • Publication number: 20060074364
    Abstract: Shoulder dystocia occurs most frequently during the birth of large infants, where the shoulders remain impacted, and lateral traction on the fetal neck with evulsion of the brachial plexus may cause brachial plexus injury. The idea is to prevent excessive lateral bending of the infant's head, its ensuing stress, and damage to the brachial nerve bundle. This invention consists of a special head brace, which limits the lateral movement of the baby's head with respect to the clavicle, and can be quickly mounted when required by the specific medical situation. Its design in two sections provides a snug fit, regardless of the infant's head size, and permits its installation in the little time available to complete the birth process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Klein, Robert Couturier
  • Publication number: 20060025782
    Abstract: The invention consists of a bent flat member, which, properly inserted in the vagina, may be used to help a patient affected with rectocele (hernia) eliminate fecal matter, which otherwise may remain in the pocket formed by the hernia, and cause medical problems. The instrument is washable and may be indefinitely re-used by the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Klein, Robert Couturier
  • Publication number: 20050133090
    Abstract: The invention consists of an umbrella-like section used in an inverted vertical position as a funnel to receive rain water. The center of this foldable funnel is open and allows the water to flow out. The funnel is positioned over a vertical tubular housing, which has the dual purpose of channeling the water to a cistern, and to serve as the housing for the folded funnel. A mechanism consisting of a system of pulleys, and optionally electric motor, extracts and retracts the funnel as required by either human intervention, or automated logical decisions of a control device, or a combination of both, according to the degree of sophistication desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Couturier
  • Patent number: 4039751
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for closed loop testing of first and second modulators and demodulators from the modulated signal side of the first modulator and first demodulator. During ordinary communication, the first modulator and second demodulator are connected in series and the first demodulator and the second modulator are connected in series. In response to each test initiate signal, a loop is established between the second modulator and the second demodulator on their modulated signal side. Upon reception of some test initiate signals, a loop is established between the first modulator and first demodulator on their demodulated side and they are disconnected from the second demodulator and second modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: General Datacomm Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Couturier, Steven J. Davis, G. Howard Robbins
  • Patent number: 3952163
    Abstract: A data communication system is described in which dial access control signals such as RING, DATA SET READY, DATA TERMINAL READY, CARRIER DETECT, and OUT OF SERVICE are transmitted between a central processing unit (CPU) and remote terminals in the form of frequency-modulated signals. A special frequency signal is transmitted from a remote terminal whenever a RING or DATA SET READY control signal is present and a CARRIER DETECT signal is not. Preferably, this special frequency is midway between the center frequency used for data communication and the frequency of either the MARK or the SPACE signal. Upon reception, this special frequency signal is processed in a particular fashion to generate signals comparable to the RING or DATA SET READY signals of the prior art. DATA TERMINAL READY and CARRIER DETECT control signals are transmitted as carrier signals and the OUT OF SERVICE signal is transmitted as a center frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: General DataComm Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Couturier, Steven J. Davis, G. Howard Robbins