Patents by Inventor Robert A. Small

Robert A. Small 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: 20210158018
    Abstract: An animated apparatus for vehicles can comprise an animated apparatus, an actuator, a controller, and a power supply. The animated apparatus having a shape to mimic an anatomical structure. The actuator coupled to the animated apparatus and capable of moving the animated apparatus mounted on the vehicle to mimic a gesture or movement of a portion of a creature or human anatomical structure or body part. The controller in electronic or mechanical communication with the actuator, wherein the controller responds to an input so as to control via the actuator a movement of the animated apparatus. The power supply coupled to the actuator to supply power to the actuator; and a vehicle coupling mechanism operable to couple at least one of the animated device and the actuator to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventor: Robert A. Small
  • Publication number: 20120326462
    Abstract: An anthropomorphic vehicle accessory is disclosed and described. The anthropomorphic vehicle accessory can include an interface portion to attach the accessory to a vehicle. Additionally, the anthropomorphic vehicle accessory can include a plurality of elongate strips resembling eyelashes coupled to and extending away from the interface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Robert A. Small
  • Patent number: 6235242
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes for water impurity analysis and for impurity analysis of various other liquids as well. Apparatus and processes are provided for physical characterization of liquid drops as a liquid sample builds up and then drops from a sample needle or other source. Liquid drop characterization is through utilization of infrared liquid drop measuring and computer modeling to measure a liquid drop as it builds up and then measures the falling liquid drop. By optically measuring an infrared radiated falling drop, and/or by characterizing the manner by which a sample drop is formed, a very precise way of determining the exact volume of a liquid sample is accomplished. Sample volume is typically directly proportional to concentration levels of the chemical constituent to be measured. By computer modeling, a falling drop can be quantified as to volume, rather than depending on the otherwise standard way of injecting a “known” volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Robert A. Small, Walter J. Gaylor
  • Patent number: 6063638
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes for water impurity analysis and for impurity analysis of various other liquids as well. More particularly, the present invention concerns apparatus and processes for chemical oxidant and catalyst enhanced total organic carbon analysis of liquid samples for determination of the level of organic contamination of the samples. In particular the present invention concerns a novel reactor for TOC anlysis in which carbon, particularly organic carbon is oxidized to CO.sup.2 gas for further measurement by a CO.sub.2 gas detector, preferably a non-dispersive infrared analyzer. The invention also concerns a process for TOC analysis wherein by measuring the CO.sub.2 gas created by combining carbon with oxygen (either in the water, with a carrier gas of oxygen (O.sup.2), or a chemical oxidant, such as sodium persulfate, the carbon in the water sample is determined. A process and apparatus are employed for TOC analysis in which UV light having a wave length in the range of from about 3.8 to about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Small Family 1992 Revocable Trust
    Inventors: Robert A. Small, Walter J. Gaylor
  • Patent number: D317543
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Robert A. Small