Patents by Inventor Robert F. Smith

Robert F. Smith 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: 10952573
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided that has a handle configured to provide flexion in a first orientation but to provide rigidity in a second orientation. In this manner, the user can use the handle in the first orientation to allow the cleaning device to flex into hard to reach places and can use the same handle in the second orientation to apply differing levels of cleaning force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210015246
    Abstract: Cleaning devices are provided that have a surface with areas that provide different cleaning states. The areas of different cleaning states are connected to one another by a deflection member that provides tactile and/or audible feedback to the user when transitioning between the different cleaning states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: William Harrington, James M. Buckley, Robert F. Smith, Paul Adams
  • Patent number: 10827822
    Abstract: Cleaning devices are provided that have a surface with areas that provide different cleaning states. The areas of different cleaning states are connected to one another by a deflection member that provides tactile and/or audible feedback to the user when transitioning between the different cleaning states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, James M. Buckley, Robert F. Smith, Paul Adams
  • Patent number: 10722297
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter, a longitudinal axis, and a sharp distal end. An insulating member extends through the hollow needle and is movable relative to the hollow needle. An elongated member extends through the insulating member and is movable relative to both the insulating member and the hollow needle. A resilient wire projects from the elongated member and is retractable within and extendable outside of the insulating member and the hollow needle. The insulating member, elongated member, and resilient wire are movable relative to the needle using first and second moving means whereby the surgical assembly assumes various configurations having different operational functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sundaram Ravikumar, H. Allan Alward, Robert F. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10607475
    Abstract: A remote monitoring system for monitoring parameters of an underground asset, such as an electric cable system, a pipeline serving as a conduit for water, gas, oil, sewage, or the like. Parameter detectors, such as sensors that measure temperature, voltage, current, moisture, etc., are distributed along the asset to provide electrical signals that represent respective monitored parameters of the asset. An underground hub disposed in an underground vault, or manhole, through which the asset passes is coupled to the parameter detectors to acquire the signals provided by the parameter detectors. The hub includes a controller to provide data derived from the acquired signals, the data being transmitted to a remote central location by a transceiver, or modem, via LP-WAN communication. Signals from the transceiver are transmitted directly from underground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Underground Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, Charles J. Wills, IV, Duncan C. Breese, Paul A. Alex
  • Patent number: 10575703
    Abstract: A versatile cleaning device is provided that can be easily configured for a number of different cleaning tasks and in a number of different positions. The device allows the user to change and/or replace to the cleaning head and/or the cleaning member carried by the head. The device allows the user to change a first angle between the handle and the extension arm via a pivot assembly. Further, the device allows the user to secure the handle to an extension device for greater reach and cleaning range. Accordingly, the cleaning device allows for even increased reach and cleaning range, as well as allowing the device to be folded for easy and compact storage/shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, James M. Buckley, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200001214
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190365192
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system and a method of cleaning a floor are provided. The cleaning system includes a flat headed mop. The system also includes a frame and at least one compartment removably coupled to the frame. A wringing assembly is fluidly coupled to the at least one compartment, the wringing assembly comprising a fixed extractor element and at least one roller movable from a first position when the mop head is being inserted to a second position when the mop head is being withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, Paul H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20190365191
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a plurality of compartments. At least one compartment is provided for cleaning the flat headed mop to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second compartment is provided for recharging the mop pad with fluid. At least one wringer device is operably coupled to one of the plurality of compartments. The at least one wringer device having an extractor element to remove at least a portion of fluid from the mop pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Joseph K. Patterson, Robert F. Smith, William Harrington
  • Publication number: 20190365193
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a plurality of compartments. At least one compartment is provided for cleaning the flat headed mop to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second compartment is provided for recharging the mop pad with water or a cleaning solution. At least one wringing device is operably coupled to one of the plurality of compartments. The at least one wringing device having an extractor element to remove at least a portion of water or cleaning solution from the mop pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, William Harrington, Paul H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20190239704
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided that has a handle configured to provide flexion in a first orientation but to provide rigidity in a second orientation. In this manner, the user can use the handle in the first orientation to allow the cleaning device to flex into hard to reach places and can use the same handle in the second orientation to apply differing levels of cleaning force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190193006
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for purifying a fluid is provided. The fluid purification device includes a tank, a cover and a release assembly. The tank having a hollow interior. The cover is sealingly coupled to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Paul H. Adams, Robert F. Smith, Qinxue Zhou, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: 10258205
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided that has a handle configured to provide flexion in a first orientation but to provide rigidity in a second orientation. In this manner, the user can use the handle in the first orientation to allow the cleaning device to flex into hard to reach places and can use the same handle in the second orientation to apply differing levels of cleaning force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190070535
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The device includes a tank having a hollow interior and a lock feature. A cover is sealingly coupled to the tank. A release assembly is pivotally coupled to the cover and engaged with the lock feature, the release assembly having a relief valve fluidly coupled to the hollow interior and a lock member, the release assembly being rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the relief valve is in a closed position and the lock member is engaged with the lock feature in the first position, and wherein the relief valve is open and the lock member rotates away from and is disengaged from the lock feature in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph K. Patterson, James M. Buckley, Robert F. Smith, Paul H. Adams
  • Patent number: 10166038
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter of 3.0 mm or smaller, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extended out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Teleflex Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Sundaram Ravikumar, H. Allan Alward, Steven J. Wysocki, Guy L. Osborne, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180308654
    Abstract: Light bulb removing and installing assemblies are provided that can be easily configured for use with light bulbs different sizes and/or shapes. The assembly can include at least two different types of bulb holding devices that are removably connected to one another in a nested manner. The assembly can include bulb holding devices of different sizes that have an open bottom, which is removably connectable to a common base. The assembly can include a resilient finger holder and a common base, where the common base includes a number of upstanding, radially directed flexible members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, James M. Buckley, Paul Adams, James Markland
  • Patent number: D826025
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, Paul H. Adams
  • Patent number: D840209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, James M. Buckley
  • Patent number: D864694
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, James M. Buckley
  • Patent number: D872403
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, Jr., Robert F. Smith