Patents by Inventor Robert F. Young

Robert F. Young 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: 9873904
    Abstract: The disclosure provides culture devices and methods useful for detecting acid-producing bacteria in a sample. The devices include a nutrient medium and a pH indicator to detect and differentiate acid-producing microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating acid-producing microorganisms. The methods further provide for the detection of gas-producing acid-producing bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Young, Patrick A. Mach, Michael E. Hughes, Christine A. Binsfeld, Jason W. Bjork, Mara S. Celt, Henry J. Lubrant
  • Publication number: 20150010941
    Abstract: The disclosure provides culture devices and methods useful for detecting acid-producing bacteria in a sample. The devices include a nutrient medium and a pH indicator to detect and differentiate acid-producing microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating acid-producing microorganisms. The methods further provide for the detection of gas-producing acid-producing bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT F. YOUNG, PATRICK A. MACH, MICHAEL E. HUGHES, CHRISTINE A. BINSFELD, JASON W. BJORK, MARA S. CELT, HENRY J. LUBRANT
  • Patent number: 8846334
    Abstract: The disclosure provides culture devices and methods useful for detecting acid-producing bacteria in a sample. The devices include a nutrient medium and a pH indicator to detect and differentiate acid-producing microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating acid-producing microorganisms. The methods further provide for the detection of gas-producing acid-producing bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Young, Patrick A. Mach, Michael E. Hughes, Christine A. Binsfeld, Jason W. Bjork, Mara S. Reif-Wenner, Henry J. Lubrant
  • Publication number: 20120094327
    Abstract: The disclosure provides culture devices and methods useful for detecting acid-producing bacteria in a sample. The devices include a nutrient medium and a pH indicator to detect and differentiate acid-producing microorganisms, such as lactic acid bacteria. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating acid-producing microorganisms. The methods further provide for the detection of gas-producing acid-producing bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Robert F. Young, Patrick A. Mach, Michael E. Hughes, Christine A. Binsfeld, Jason W. Bjork, Mara S. Reif-Wenner, Henry J. Lubrant
  • Patent number: 6068235
    Abstract: A microphone connector assembly includes a housing enclosing a resilient damping grommet. The grommet includes an opening for receiving and orienting a microphone fitted in the grommet opening so that the face of the microphone forms a plane substantially perpendicular to the top side of the circuit board on which it is placed. The connector may alternatively include an inner portion connected to an outer portion by at least one narrow web portion. The inner portion includes an opening for receiving the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Gaffney, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 5912967
    Abstract: A speaker-phone assembly includes a speaker assembly, a microphone and an outer shell. The speaker assembly includes an upper lid, a bottom cup, and a speaker. A gasket may be positioned between the lid and cup, a C-shaped gasket may be positioned around the rim of the speaker to isolate the speaker from the lid. A plurality of brackets including gaskets extend from the cup and are received by posts extending from an interior portion of the outer shell to isolate the speaker assembly from the outer shell. A microphone stand having an inner region connected to an outer region by at least one web portion isolates the microphone. The microphone is positioned upright and in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane which includes a rim of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: 3COM Corp.
    Inventors: David G. Gaffney, Edward B. Endejan, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 5696521
    Abstract: A video headset is worn comfortably on the head of a user, supported by a pair of spaced apart straps extending over the top of the head and across the lower back of the head. The rear strap may be counterweighted. A pair of headphone type speakers are supported on pivoted arms from a frame of the headset, so as to be swingably adjustable to accommodate ear position. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of LCD video displays are positioned above the level of the user's eyes, each with a beam splitter positioned in front of the eyes to reflect a portion of the light from the video screens to the user. The partially transmissive beam splitters allow the user to see through to the ambient scene beyond, increasing the comfort of the user in viewing the video. A transparent shield preferably is positioned forward of the video optics, with an adjustment under the control of the user for controlling the brightness of the ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Astounding Technologies (M) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Jack D. Robinson, Clifton M. Schor, Peter H. Muller, Wayne A. Yankee, Robert F. Young, Stephen D. Fantone
  • Patent number: 5615229
    Abstract: A short range magnetically coupled wireless communication system employs time variant modulation of a high repetition rate pulse stream and magnetic coupling between a transmission magnetic element and a receiving magnetic element. The pulse stream is modulated by an input audio frequency signal in the time domain, for example, through pulse position modulation, pulse width modulation or pulse symmetry modulation. The receiving magnetic element is coupled to a demodulator circuit which detects the transmitted pulses induced in the receiving magnetic element and reproduces the audio frequency signal. Transmission over short range is thus efficiently accomplished through magnetic coupling in a simple, low cost, low power consumption communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Phonic Ear, Incorporated
    Inventors: Madan M. Sharma, Robert F. Young, Gene M. Strohallen
  • Patent number: 5568516
    Abstract: A cordless headset, requiring very low power using Time Variant Modulation (TVM) for reception of a magnetic signal and TVM of RF or infrared as the transmitter. The headset area or zone of operations is defined by the magnetic field that the headset operates within and uses a handshake protocol that takes advantage of the TVM fixed clock period. The headset communicates with a base station that includes a TVM transmitter and loop for transmitting a TVM signal to the cordless headset, and a RF or infrared receiver capable of receiving TVM signals from the headset. The base station also contains the headset protocol logic for controlling the headset transmission. The headset and base station receiver can both be fixed, mobile or portable and vary with respect to orientation and distance from each other. The receiver circuits in both base station and headset automatically adjust to the variance in signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Phonic Ear Incorporated
    Inventors: Gene M. Strohallen, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4879746
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for interfacing a voice communication instrument, e.g. headset, to a communication link, e.g. a telephone line. The interface includes a transmit channel having amplification, frequency shaping and voice switching to suppress background noise. The interface includes a receive channel having compression limiting as a function of the received signal amplitude and frequency. The interface further includes a power-down circuit and a low battery indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Young, Vladimir Kraz
  • Patent number: 4708673
    Abstract: An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit having opposite first and second sides and including a lower unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and a drive shaft housing including a drive shaft drivingly connected to the propeller, and a power head mounted on the drive shaft housing and including an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the drive shaft, a cowl assembly enclosing the power head and including a first lower cowl member removably and resiliently mounted on the first side of the propulsion unit, a second lower cowl member removably and resiliently mounted on the second side of the propulsion unit, and an upper cowl member removably mounted on the first and second lower cowl members, and a bolt detachably connecting the first lower cowl member to the second lower cowl member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Dunham, John D. Flaig, H. Norman Petersen, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4621523
    Abstract: Means and method for making rapid determinations of the strength of metal materials from hardness evaluations of the materials. The means comprises an indentor for making impressions in a metal material, the indentor having a known predetermined dimension. Apparatus for mechanically directing the indentor against the material is provided and mechanically connected to the indentor. The driving apparatus moves the indentor against the material under successive predetermined loads or forces and in a manner that makes a series of impressions in the material. Means are provided for characterizing the respective geometries of the impressions, and means are provided for utilizing the dimension of the indentor, the values of the applied loads, and the respective geometries, to calculate the yield and/or tensile strength of the material therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Barrie S. Shabel, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4525149
    Abstract: Shifting of a marine propulsion device transmission drivingly connecting a drive shaft to an internal combustion engine and including a rotatable member operable to shift the transmission between forward drive, reverse drive and neutral positions in response to rotation of a shift lever is assisted by a shift assistance arrangement including a pivotal actuation lever connected to a push-pull assembly operated by a main control and a connecting link pivotally connected to the shift lever and to the actuator lever. The pivotal connection between the connecting link and the actuation lever includes a slider element mounted for reciprocative axial movement relative to the connecting link and pivotally receiving a pivot pin on the actuation lever. A pair of springs acting on the opposite ends of the slider element maintain the connecting link and the actuation lever in a normal position so they move together to effect shifting when the resistance to transmission shift is below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Broughton, Jeffrey P. Higby, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4498871
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a first pivot connecting a stern bracket to a transom bracket for pivotal movement therebetween about a first pivot axis which is horizontal when the transom bracket is boat mounted, a second pivot connecting the swivel bracket to the stern bracket for pivotal movement of the swivel bracket with the stern bracket and relative to the stern bracket about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, a propulsion unit including, at the lower end thereof, a rotatably mounted propeller and connected to the swivel bracket for steering movement therebetween and for common pivotal movement, a trim cylinder-piston assembly pivotally connected to the stern bracket and to the swivel bracket and including first and second ends, a tilt cylinder-piston assembly pivotally connected to the transom bracket means and to the stern bracket and including first and second ends, and a hydraulic system for sequentially operating the tilt and trim cylinder-piston assem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4395239
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a trim cylinder pivotally connected to a stern bracket and to a swivel bracket, a tilt cylinder pivotally connected to a transom bracket and to the stern bracket, a reversible pump including first and second ports, a first conduit communicating between the first pump port and one end of the trim cylinder, a second conduit communicating between the first pump port and one end of the tilt cylinder, a third conduit including a third check valve dividing the third conduit into an upstream portion communicating with the second pump port and a downstream portion communicating with the other end of the trim cylinder, a fourth conduit including a fourth check valve dividing the fourth conduit into an upstream portion communicating with the second pump port and a downstream portion communicating with the other end of the tilt cylinder, and a fifth conduit including a fifth check valve communicating between the downstream portion of the third conduit and the dow
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4384856
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be connected to a boat transom, a propulsion unit which is mounted to the transom bracket for pivotal steering movement of the propulsion unit in a horizontal plane and for pivotal movement of the propulsion unit in a vertical plane between a lowermost running position and a full tilt position, which propulsion unit mounting includes a first pivot connecting an intermediate bracket to the transom bracket for pivotal movement of the intermediate bracket relative to the transom bracket about a first pivot axis which is horizontal when the transom bracket is boat mounted, whereby to enable movement of the propulsion unit through a tilt range, a second pivot connecting a swivel bracket to the intermediate bracket for pivotal movement of the swivel bracket with the intermediate bracket and relative to the intermediate bracket about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, whereby to enable movement of the propulsion unit thr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4373921
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a transom bracket adapted to be connected to a boat transom, a stern bracket having an upper end, a first pivot connecting the upper end of the stern bracket to the transom bracket for pivotal movement of the stern bracket relative to the transom bracket about a first pivot axis which is horizontal when the transom bracket is boat mounted, a swivel bracket, a second pivot connecting the swivel bracket to the stern bracket below the first pivot for pivotal movement of the swivel bracket relative to the stern bracket about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, a propulsion unit including, at the lower end thereof, a rotatably mounted propeller, a third pivot connecting the propulsion unit to the swivel bracket for steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to the swivel bracket about a generally vertical axis and for common pivotal movement with the swivel bracket in a vertical plane about the first and second horizontal axes, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4373920
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a bracket adapted to be fixed relative to a boat transom, a propulsion unit including a steering arm, pivots pivotally connecting the bracket and the propulsion unit for vertical pivotal movement of the propulsion unit about a tilt axis which is substantially horizontal when the bracket is boat mounted, and for swinging movement of the propulsion unit about a steering axis which is generally transverse to the horizontal axis, a support rod fixed in spaced parallel rotation to the bracket and against movement axially of the horizontal axis and for tilting movement in common with the propulsion unit, a member carried by the support rod for movement axially of the support rod, a coupling connecting the member and the steering arm for swinging the propulsion unit about the steering axis in response to movement of the member axially of the support rod, and mechanism for selectively displacing the member axially of the support rod to thereby steer the propul
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4363629
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a transom bracket adapted to be connected to a boat transom, a first pivot connecting a stern bracket to the transom bracket for pivotal movement of the stern bracket relative to the transom bracket about a first pivot axis which is horizontal when the transom bracket is boat mounted, a second pivot connecting a swivel bracket to the stern bracket below the first pivot for pivotal movement of the swivel bracket with the stern bracket and relative to the stern bracket about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, a king pin pivotally connecting a propulsion unit including a rotatably mounted propeller to the swivel bracket for steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to the swivel bracket about a generally vertical axis and for common pivotal movement with the swivel bracket in a vertical plane about the first and second horizontal axes, a trim cylinder-piston assembly pivotally connected to the stern bracket and to the swivel bra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young
  • Patent number: 4362513
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a transom bracket adapted to be connected to a boat transom, a tilt bracket having an upper end, a first pivot located behind the transom and connecting the tilt bracket to the transom bracket for pivotal movement of the tilt bracket relative to the transom bracket between a lower position and a full tilt position about a first pivot axis which is horizontal when the transom bracket is boat mounted, a trim bracket, a second pivot connecting the trim bracket to the tilt bracket below the first pivot for pivotal movement of the trim bracket relative to the tilt bracket between a lowermost position and a full trim position about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis, a propulsion unit including, at the lower end thereof, a rotatably mounted propeller, a third pivot connecting the propulsion unit to the trim bracket for steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to the trim bracket about a generally vertical axis and for common pivota
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Hall, Edward D. McBride, Robert F. Young