Patents by Inventor Robert L. Stephenson

Robert L. Stephenson 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: 20200261160
    Abstract: Robotic surgical systems are operated in a manner that improves user experience and user control. The robotic surgical system systems are configured to have a carrying mode, a camera reposition mode, and/or a targeting mode, one or more of which is selectable by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: William Peine, Albert Dvornik, Jared Farlow, Robert W. Pierce, Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6543449
    Abstract: A ventilatory system which may be operated in an invasive and a non-invasive mode is provided utilizing a graphical user interface for presenting only those controlled parameters utilized for that specific mode of operation. Volume and pressure ventilatory support parameters are included for invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation control parameters are provided for non-invasive ventilatory assistance. The graphical user interface enables an operator to select the desired mode of operation wherein only those parameters related to that specific mode of operation are presented. Furthermore, a blower is provided for providing an air source to the ventilator enabling the ventilator to be self sufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Woodring, Gardner J. Kimm, Robert L. Stephenson, David R. Rogers, Donald J. Novkov, Rebecca A. Mabry, Steve Harrington
  • Publication number: 20030062045
    Abstract: A ventilatory system which may be operated in an invasive and a non-invasive mode is provided utilizing a graphical user interface for presenting only those controlled parameters utilized for that specific mode of operation. Volume and pressure ventilatory support parameters are included for invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation control parameters are provided for non-invasive ventilatory assistance. The graphical user interface enables an operator to select the desired mode of operation wherein only those parameters related to that specific mode of operation are presented. Furthermore, a blower is provided for providing an air source to the ventilator enabling the ventilator to be self sufficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Woodring, Gardner J. Kimm, Robert L. Stephenson, David R. Rogers, Donald J. Novkov, Rebecca A. Mabry, Steve Harrington
  • Patent number: 4881778
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is disclosed for automatically raising the arm rest of a vehicle front seat assembly when the seat back is tilted forward to permit ingress to and egress from the back seat of a two door motor vehicle. In one embodiment a solid link is attached to the arm rest and to the seat cushion to exert an upward force on the arm rest as the seat back is moved forward. In two other embodiments, a cable attached to the arm rest and to the seat cushion is provided which exerts an upward force on the arm rest as the tension in the cable increases when the seat back is rotated forward. In one embodiment, a spring is used to maintain the tension in the cable at a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Stephenson, Harvey R. Rumpel
  • Patent number: 4389059
    Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide (100) for directing seat belt webbing material (120) from a retractor to a shoulder belt (130) includes a one-piece cover and housing (10) in which a lightweight load bearing wire loop (60) is disposed in a substantially triangular shaped configuration. The bottom portion of the wire loop is maintained straight by a tubular element (75) and an idler roller (80) surrounding the tubular element (75) enables the webbing material to extend partially around the roller (80) through the loop opening with a low friction rolling engagement. The roller (80) is mounted in a recessed area (86) of the housing (10) between two upright end flanges (90) which laterally retain the webbing. The ends (62, 64) of the wire loop (60) opposite the roller (80) are introduced from opposite directions into a length of wall tubing (70) and arranged to overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4386452
    Abstract: An improved self-locking adjust tongue plate including a sleeve surrounding a lock bar extending in slots provided on side flanges of the tongue. The sleeve spaces the lock bar from the walls of the slots so as to avoid metal to metal contact, which may adversely affect the lock-up angles of the adjust tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4381085
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a web clamp in the retractor housing to reduce the spooling effect when the retractor is locked. The webbing extends from the retractor spool about a web clamp and then outwards of the retractor housing. Extraction forces acting on the webbing in an emergency result in forcing of the web clamp against the roll of webbing to thereby prevent further withdrawal of the webbing from the spool. The web clamp is maintained in close proximity to the roll of webbing regardless of the amount of webbing left on the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Stephenson, John W. Frankila
  • Patent number: 4374449
    Abstract: A mini buckle including a housing having a central opening, a push button slidably mounted in the opening and a latch member supported by the push button and movable in a direction parallel to the movement of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Stephenson, Robert C. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 4360225
    Abstract: A passive seat belt system, such as for a three occupant seat, including a rotatable shaft mounted on the vehicle roof and a carriage movable on the shaft in response to rotation of a seat belt retractor as seat belt webbing is extended and retracted as a result of door movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Rudy V. Thomas, Robert L. Stephenson, Richard L. Frantom
  • Patent number: 4350368
    Abstract: A passive seat belt system wherein the inboard upper anchor point for the seat belt of the outboard passenger and the upper anchor point for the seat belt of the center passenger are commonly located in the roof of a vehicle, and are commonly movable from a rearward position of passenger restraint to a forward position permitting easy egress and ingress to the seating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Frantom, Robert L. Stephenson, Rudy V. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4343488
    Abstract: A seat belt restraint system including a seat belt retractor for mounting in a vehicle, webbing stored on the retractor, a mechanism for transferring loads acting on the retractor in an emergency situation to a load-bearing part of the vehicle and a clamp associated on the load transfer mechanism which contacts the roll of webbing stored on the retractor subsequent to relative motion between the clamp and the retractor as a result of forces acting on the retractor during the emergency. The system may be a passive seat belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4342471
    Abstract: A passive seat belt system including a movable rod connected to a seat belt and a hook member connected to the rod. The rod is driven by an electric motor actuated in response to opening and closing of the vehicle door. The rod is moved to a forward position when the door is opened, with the hook member being moved into contact with a rear portion of the belt so as to prevent interference of the belt with ingress to or egress from the vehicle. The rod is moved to a rearward position when the door is closed with the hook member being moved out of contact with the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4327882
    Abstract: A dual spool retractor in which a manual lock up feature is provided in addition to an emergency locking device. A manually engageable member moves a pawl into lock position with the ratchet wheels of the spools. Such member is automatically disengaged upon unwinding of the lap belt retractor whereby the retractor is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Frankila, Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4324418
    Abstract: A vehicle passive seat belt system wherein the opening of either the door adjacent to the driver, or that adjacent to a passenger, or both, automatically moves both seat belt systems from a first restraining position to a second non-restraining position. The energy required is obtained from the closing of the doors, and released to activate the mechanism for moving the seat belts to the second non-restraining position when either or both doors are opened. A flexible tape is used to transfer the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4310177
    Abstract: A load locking junction device for coupling a continuous-loop belt having ends mounted on the door with an anchor belt retractably mounted inboard the seat includes a frame having an aperture defining spaced apart first and second load bearing walls. The continuous-loop belt is slidable over the first wall to define a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion. The anchor belt extends through the aperture and has a pin engaged in the end thereof to enlarge the end for simultaneous engagement against the second wall and the continuous-loop belt so that the belts are coupled together and maintained in engagement with the load bearing walls. A spring acts on the pin to space the anchor belt from the continuous-loop belt to permit movement of the continuous-loop belt through the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignees: General Motors Corp., Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4306735
    Abstract: An improved belt clamp apparatus for a vehicle occupant safety restraint system includes: a lever, a clamp bar, a mounting device for movably mounting the bar on the lever, a crest on the bar, and a first spring for biasing the lever to a non-clamping position. The bar is movable on the crest for applying a substantially uniform force over an area of contact on a safety belt. The belt clamp apparatus may be used in a variety of ways in an improved occupant restraint system such as to provide: a belt sensitive restraint system, a vehicle sensitive restraint system, a dual sensitive restraint system, or a force limiting restraint system. The invention also relates to a method for absorbing unwinding force and a method for reducing undesired unwinding of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Pfeiffer, Robert L. Stephenson, Per O. Weman
  • Patent number: 4303209
    Abstract: A dual spool seat belt retractor wherein the retraction force acting on the torso belt is reduced by connecting its rewind spring with the rewind spring of the lap belt. The connection may be made via a single shaft or a gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4266810
    Abstract: A passive seat belt system including torso and lap belts, wherein a guide clip is provided which is secured to one belt and permits the other belt to pass therethrough. The guide clip maintains communication between the belts and is especially useful with a two retractor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Rudy V. Thomas, Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 4232882
    Abstract: A passive seat belt system including a movable rod connected to a seat belt and a hook member connected to the rod. The rod is driven by an electric motor actuated in response to opening and closing of a vehicle door. The rod is moved to a forward position when the door is opened, with the hook member being moved into contact with a rear portion of the belt so as to prevent interference of the belt with ingress to or egress from the vehicle. The rod is moved to a rearward position when the door is closed, with the hook member being moved out of contact with the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson
  • Patent number: D286997
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Everest & Jennings, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Stephenson