Patents by Inventor Robert T. Stephen

Robert T. Stephen 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: 7353534
    Abstract: A method for establishing a trusted network. The method includes receiving search parameters from a user and receiving a trusted site associated with the user. A path in the network is traversed in response to metadata associated with the trusted site. The path includes at least one prospective site. The method also includes determining if the prospective site meets the search criteria and assigning a trusted value to the prospective site if the prospective site meets the search criteria. The prospective site is presented to the user if the trusted value is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7283989
    Abstract: A system and method for application metadata is disclosed. A method for receiving search criteria drawn to a property of an application of an enterprise is disclosed. A method for searching a plurality of types of metadata using a search criteria is disclosed. A method for producing search results setting forth applications of an enterprise affected by a property of another application is disclosed. A metadata system comprising a plurality of types of metadata describing a plurality of applications is disclosed. A metadata system capable of searching a plurality of types of metadata based on a search criteria is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7200820
    Abstract: A system and method for viewing search results is disclosed. A method of communicating a search result according to various views is disclosed. A method of displaying metadata associated with content of websites is disclosed. A method of displaying metadata associated with relationships of websites is disclosed. A method of displaying metadata associated with images of websites is disclosed. A method of displaying metadata associated with seals of websites is disclosed. A method of displaying metadata associated with one or more websites in a view, receiving a request to change the view, and displaying metadata associated with the one or more websites in a second view is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventor: Robert T. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6805113
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly comprising an upper assembly and a lower assembly, the upper assembly adapted to receive a cooking chamber. The grill assembly further comprises at least one projection on one of either the lower assembly or the upper assembly, and at least one receiver on the other of said lower assembly or said upper assembly. The projection and the receiver are cooperatively dimensioned such that the projection is received by the receiver. The projection having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is adapted to be biased into contact with an inner surface of the receiver. The barbecue grill assembly includes a lateral assembly, positioned proximate the upper assembly. The lateral assembly is adapted to receive an auxiliary work surface or a cooking burner. The upper, lower, and lateral assemblies are each formed from a plurality of tubular frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Ewald Sieg, Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi
  • Patent number: 6739558
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly 10 comprising an upper frame assembly 12 and a lower frame assembly 14. The lower frame assembly 14 comprises a shelf 50 and a plurality of lower frame members 26, 28 which define an interior space 40. At least one frame member 28 has an aperture 80. The shelf 50 has at least one pin 70 cooperatively dimensioned with the aperture 80. The pin 70 is received by the aperture 80 to connect the shelf 50 to the lower frame members 26, 28 and form the lower frame assembly 14. The shelf 50 has a perimeter that is cooperatively dimensioned with the interior space 40 such that the shelf 50 is positioned within the interior space 40. The shelf 50 provides structural integrity to the lower assembly 14 such that the lower assembly 14 can support the upper assembly 12 and the cooking chamber 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Adrian A. Bruno, Ewald Sieg, Daniel S. Choi
  • Patent number: 6644175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a barbecue grill assembly 10 including a cooking surface assembly 12 positioned in a cooking chamber 14. The cooking surface assembly 12 includes a first portion or griddle 16 and a second portion or grate 18. The second portion or grate 18 has a plurality of openings 32 and a plurality of ribs 33. A transition wall 40 is positioned between the first portion 16 and the second portion 18. A duct 46 depends from a lower surface 48 of the first portion 16. The duct 46 has an end 47 that is cooperatively positioned with the aperture 30 to form a passageway or channel 50. The passageway 50 is adapted to permit the drainage of grease and other byproducts generated by cooking food on the assembly 12 past a plurality of burner tubes and to a lower portion of the cooking chamber 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Adrian A. Bruno, J. Michael Alden
  • Publication number: 20030041744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a barbecue grill assembly 10 including a cooking surface assembly 12 positioned in a cooking chamber 14. The cooking surface assembly 12 includes a first portion or griddle 16 and a second portion or grate 18. The second portion or grate 18 has a plurality of openings 32 and a plurality of ribs 33. A transition wall 40 is positioned between the first portion 16 and the second portion 18. A duct 46 depends from a lower surface 48 of the first portion 16. The duct 46 has an end 47 that is cooperatively positioned with the aperture 30 to form a passageway or channel 50. The passageway 50 is adapted to permit the drainage of grease and other byproducts generated by cooking food on the assembly 12 past a plurality of burner tubes and to a lower portion of the cooking chamber 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Adrian A. Bruno, J. Michael Alden
  • Publication number: 20030029973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly 10 comprising an upper frame assembly 12 and a lower frame assembly 14. The lower frame assembly 14 comprises a shelf 50 and a plurality of lower frame members 26,28 which define an interior space 40. At least one frame member 28 has an aperture 80. The shelf 50 has at least one pin 70 cooperatively dimensioned with the aperture 80. The pin 70 is received by the aperture 80 to connect the shelf 50 to the lower frame members 26, 28 and form the lower frame assembly 14. The shelf 50 has a perimeter that is cooperatively dimensioned with the interior space 40 such that the shelf 50 is positioned within the interior space 40. The shelf 50 provides structural integrity to the lower assembly 14 such that the lower assembly 14 can support the upper assembly 12 and the cooking chamber 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Adrian A. Bruno, Ewald Sieg, Daniel S. Choi
  • Publication number: 20030029437
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly comprising an upper assembly and a lower assembly, the upper assembly adapted to receive a cooking chamber. The grill assembly further comprises at least one projection on one of either the lower assembly or the upper assembly, and at least one receiver on the other of said lower assembly or said upper assembly. The projection and the receiver are cooperatively dimensioned such that the projection is received by the receiver. The projection having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is adapted to be biased into contact with an inner surface of the receiver. The barbecue grill assembly includes a lateral assembly, positioned proximate the upper assembly. The lateral assembly is adapted to receive an auxiliary work surface or a cooking burner. The upper, lower, and lateral assemblies are each formed from a plurality of tubular frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Ewald Sieg, Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi
  • Patent number: 6363926
    Abstract: A handle (28) for a grill (10) has a gripping portion (34). The gripping portion (34) defines an inner chamber (31) therein. The gripping portion (34) has a passageway (52) in fluid communication with the inner chamber (31) and the atmosphere. The handle (28) is adapted to be connected to a lid (18) of the grill (10). The lid (18) has a support member (20) having a sleeve (24). The sleeve (24) has an inner wall (64) having an inner surface (66). The gripping portion (34) has an end (38) and an expansion member (42) connected to the end (38). The expansion member (42) is adapted to be received by the sleeve (24). The expansion member (42) has an expansion wall (72) having an outer surface (80) wherein the expansion wall (72) is adapted to be expanded outwardly wherein the outer surface (80) of the expansion wall (72) engages the inner surface (66) of the sleeve (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Mohammed Shoeb, Dugan O'Keene
  • Patent number: 6354548
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shelf assembly for a cooking apparatus such as a barbeque grill, and method of using same. The shelf assembly has a shelf component which can rotate about a generally horizontal axis of rotation located generally at a first end of the shelf component, from a lowered position to a raised position. The cooking apparatus or an associated apparatus has a frame member which supports the first end of the shelf component about the axis of rotation. The shelf assembly also has a support extending downwardly in relation to the shelf component when the shelf component is in the raised position. The support is capable of rotating about the axis of rotation with the shelf component. The shelf assembly further has a stationary coupler located generally below the axis of rotation in the vicinity of where the support is capable of rotating about the axis of rotation with the shelf component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Ewald Sieg, Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 6318356
    Abstract: A barbecue grill is claimed. The barbecue grill comprises a grill housing, a damper means, and an elongated handle. The grill housing has a bottom which extends around a vertical axis and an ash disposal opening positioned along its bottom. The damper means is for covering the ash disposal opening. The damper means includes a drive hub assembly rotatable about the vertical axis and has at least one damper body extending therefrom. The bottom of the grill housing has an aperture aligned with the vertical axis. The hub assembly is received into the aperture with an end portion of the hub assembly positioned below the bottom. The end portion includes a linearly aligned passageway having an entry keyhole. The elongated handle is positioned below the bottom of the grill housing. The handle has a proximal end and a distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Erich J. Schlosser
  • Patent number: 6155248
    Abstract: An ash catcher assembly for catching and containing ash and debris that falls through openings in the bottom of a barbecue grill is disclosed. The ash catcher assembly includes a mounting member capable of being removably connected to the barbecue grill, and a basket secured adjacent a bottom of the mounting member. The mounting member has a body portion and at least two resilient connecting members. The resilient connecting members have a transverse tab adjacent an end thereof for interconnecting with the barbecue grill. Generally, the transverse tabs snap into mating openings of the barbecue grill for connecting the ash catcher assembly to the barbecue grill. The basket has an open top end, a closed bottom end, a side wall connecting the top end and the bottom end, and a cavity therein to hold the ash that falls from the kettle. Protrusions and a handle extending from the sidewall of the basket mate with corresponding components of the mating member for removably securing the basket to the mating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen
  • Patent number: 6102028
    Abstract: A smoker attachment for heating and burning smoker particles in a barbecue grill. The smoker attachment includes a housing having a side wall, end wall, and bottom wall fining a cavity therein. The bottom wall of the housing has a plurality of openings and the side walls have a plurality of corresponding cutouts adjacent the bottom wall such that the cutouts in the side walls cooperate with the openings in the bottom wall. The openings provide access to the cavity of the housing such that a conductive member within the barbecue grill is able to contact the housing adjacent the opening to position the housing within the bottom chamber of the barbecue grill. The conductive member further passes through the opening of the housing into the cavity of the housing to define a portion of the perimeter of the cavity for directly contacting and heating the smoker particles within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, Edna Schlosser, Robert T. Stephen
  • Patent number: 6102029
    Abstract: An improved burner assembly for use in a gas barbecue grill having a cooking chamber and a fuel supply is disclosed. The burner assembly includes a plurality of burners forming a burner grid with at least two of the burners defining a periphery of the grid and the remaining burners confined within the interior of the grid. The periphery burners are preferably designed with a plurality of openings which direct a flame toward a center vertical plane, while the interior burners preferably direct a flame, by placement of openings, in a substantially vertical direction. Additionally, the interior burner tubes are attached to a crossover tube via a keyed connecting mechanism which prevents improper connections or assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Weber Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Erich J. Schlosser, Edna Schlosser, Mohammed Shoeb
  • Patent number: 5941229
    Abstract: A barbecue grill including a cart with attached side work shelves is disclosed. The cart having a first frame with a plurality of vertical members joined by weldment to least an upper and lower first horizontal members, and a second frame with a plurality of vertical members joined by weldment to at least an upper and lower second horizontal members, and at least two transverse cross members joining the first frame in spaced relation to the second frame. The attachment of the side work shelves to a support member of the cart, including at least one generally vertical projection on either the support member or the work shelf, and at least one generally vertical receiver on the other, whereby the projection and receiver cooperatively dimensioned such that the projection is removably inserted in the receiver to provide cantilever support of the work shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Weber Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D462227
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Mark Johnson, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D462234
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Mark Johnson, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D431963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D433279
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen