Patents by Inventor Robert A. Willis

Robert A. Willis 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: 9202723
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning substrates is provided. The device comprises a cleaning brush having an outer cleaning surface surrounding a hollow bore and positioned around a first central axis al defining a first rotational direction ?; and a plurality of cantilevered nodules formed on the outer cleaning surface, each nodule having a mounting portion connected with the outer cleaning surface, a cleaning portion connected with the mounting portion, and a contact member for engaging the substrate. The cleaning portion extends in a first direction D1 from the mounting portion to the contact member, wherein a radial direction Dr is defined as extending radially from the central axis a1 towards the outer cleaning surface and normal to the rotational direction ?, and wherein the first direction D1 intersects with the radial direction Dr at an angle ?. Angle ? is greater than 0° and less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Withers, Michael G. Croker, Robert A. Willis
  • Publication number: 20130133692
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning substrates is provided. The device comprises a cleaning brush having an outer cleaning surface surrounding a hollow bore and positioned around a first central axis al defining a first rotational direction ?; and a plurality of cantilevered nodules formed on the outer cleaning surface, each nodule having a mounting portion connected with the outer cleaning surface, a cleaning portion connected with the mounting portion, and a contact member for engaging the substrate. The cleaning portion extends in a first direction D1 from the mounting portion to the contact member, wherein a radial direction Dr is defined as extending radially from the central axis a1 towards the outer cleaning surface and normal to the rotational direction ?, and wherein the first direction D1 intersects with the radial direction Dr at an angle ?. Angle ? is greater than 0° and less than 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Withers, Michael G. Croker, Robert A. Willis
  • Patent number: 4135457
    Abstract: A towable seed drilling unit of the kind having a hopper-fed seed chamber whose base is constituted by a proportion of the lower run of an endless belt driven by a belt drive roller in a direction contrary to towing direction from a ground-contacting wheel and having regularly spaced holes therein for the containment of single seeds, a seed-repelling roller for agitating seed in the said chamber and a masking plate below the belt permitting release of seeds on a passage of holes therebeyond into a furrow formed ahead of temporarily unmasked holes by a coulter beneath the seed chamber and closed by a furrow closing member, wherein forward and rearward wheels supporting the unit are carried by arms pivotal about substantially horizontal axes and means are provided for adjusting the attitude of the arms relative to the remainder of the unit and thus the penetration depth of the coulter, and wherein a parallel linkage is provided by means of which the unit can be attached to a towing vehicle, said linkage being r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Hestair Stanhay Limited
    Inventor: Robert A. Willis
  • Patent number: D583482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: D. B. Kim, Robert A. Willis, John Fotiadis, Costas Kondylis, Thomas Ryan, Greg Bradshaw