Patents by Inventor Robert To

Robert To 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: 6830519
    Abstract: A correlated set of iron type golf clubs is designed to improve performance. The set of clubs includes a plurality of iron type golf clubs having linearly spaced lofts such that a first iron type golf club has a loft which is x degrees greater than the loft of a second iron type golf club and the second iron type golf club has a loft which is x degrees greater than a third iron type golf club and subsequent iron type golf clubs increase in loft at the same rate. The plurality of iron type golf clubs also have lengths which are linearly spaced such that a first iron type golf club has a length which is y inches less than the length of the second iron type golf club and the second iron type golf club has a length which is y inches less than the length of the third iron type golf club and subsequent iron type golf clubs decrease in length at the same rate. The set of iron type golf clubs is further designed such that the design efficiency increases as the loft of the golf clubs decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Adams Golf IP, LP
    Inventors: Tim Reed, Michael Vrska, Robert M. Boyd, Byron H. Adams, Oliver G. Brewer, III
  • Patent number: 6830176
    Abstract: A new system and method for repairing flexible circuits is disclosed. The flexible circuits conduct electrical signals to and from electronic devices. The system generally includes a flexible circuit substrate, at least one electrical conductor, and a repair patch. The flexible circuit substrate has a cut zone and a repair zone. The at least one electrical conductor is supported by the flexible circuit substrate. The electrical conductors are configured to carry electrical signals. The repair patch is used to electrically interconnect at least two repair zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Sinkunas, Zhong-You Shi, Jay D. Baker, Robert Edward Belke, Charles Frederick Schweitzer, Raymond Eric Foster, Stephen Edward Fuks
  • Patent number: 6830936
    Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system. The or more sample acquisition and preparation operations, in combination with one or more sample analysis operations. For example, the device can integrate several or all of the operations involved in sample acquisition and storage, sample preparation and sample analysis, within a single integrated unit. The device is useful in a variety of applications, and most notably, nucleic acid based diagnostic applications and de novo sequencing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Affymetrix Inc.
    Inventors: Rolfe C. Anderson, Robert J. Lipshutz, Richard P. Rava, Stephen P. A. Fodor
  • Patent number: 6832301
    Abstract: In a computing system having swappable and non-swappable address spaces, wherein the computing system includes an operating system that includes a Real Storage Manager (RSM), a Systems Resource Manager (SRM) and a Region Control Task (RCT), a method for recovering swappable fixed non-preferred memory is provided which includes receiving a request from the operating system to configure an area of real memory to create an intercepted swappable address space, wherein the intercepted swappable address space includes a flagged fixed frame element identified for configuration, examining the intercepted swappable address space so as to determine if the intercepted swappable address space will remain swappable, requesting the SRM to coordinate the swapping process, quiescing the intercepted address space, generating a first return code responsive to the intercepted swappable address space remaining swappable, communicating the first return code to the RCT so as to cause the RCT to respond to the first return code, in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roman A. Bobak, Charles E. Mari, Harris Morgenstern, Jim H. Mulder, Robert R. Rogers, Danny R. Sutherland, Peter B. Yocom
  • Patent number: 6830382
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a connector element that comprises a connector body and a fiber optic ferrule slidably positioned inside the connector body. The ferrule holds at least one optical fiber. The connector element carries an optical sub-assembly including a photonic device and a spacer and includes a connector sleeve for receiving the connector element. The sleeve includes a ridge that operates as a first stop for the connector body and includes an alignment projection that coarsely aligns the fiber optic ferrule. The ferrule includes a pair of openings configured to receive a pair of alignment pins to provide fine alignment of optical fibers with corresponding photonic devices. The connector element is engaged with the connector sleeve to position the ferrule with respect to the optical sub-assembly such that the optical fiber is correctly positioned relative to a corresponding photonic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Deane, Luu T. Nguyen, William P. Mazotti, Bruce C. Roberts, Christopher J. Smith, Janet E. Townsend, John P. Briant, Michael R. Nelson, Stephen Jacob
  • Patent number: 6830220
    Abstract: A Kite Control Bar with Ninety-Degree Handles and Fail-Safe Release System is disclosed. The kite control bar utilizes a metal bar with removable metal handles that are attached to the kit control bar at a ninety-degree angle. The kite control bar also incorporates a release system that is a pull pin located on the kite control bar. If required to de-power the kite, the release system will release the kite control lines which will deflate the kite and negate the kites strong pull force. The metal handle attached to the kite control bar at ninety-degrees in conjunction with the release system will significantly improve the control of the kite when performing the sport of kite surfing or kite boarding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Max Robert Runyan
  • Patent number: 6830993
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a surface roughness of a polycrystalline or single crystal thin film produced by the sequential lateral solidification process are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: James S. Im, Robert S. Sposili, Mark A. Crowder
  • Patent number: 6830183
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing and later determining the distance between transitions from a first logical state to a second logical state stored on a medium, for example, a document. This determination is used to precisely characterize the information pattern in order to authenticate the information and the medium on which the information is stored. The invention uses a reader having a leading and trailing read apparatus, which allow information to be read simultaneously from two or more locations spaced a known distance apart. The distance between the center lines of each read apparatus is preferably an odd integer multiple of one half the distance between logical clock transitions. The distance between a first transition at the leading read apparatus and a next transition at the trailing read apparatus is used as a reference, hence given the term the “Reference Value”. The Reference Value is compared with the distance between the first transition and a second transition on the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Semtek Innovative Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay von Mueller, Robert J. Mos
  • Patent number: 6829966
    Abstract: A hammer configuration possessing a conventional striking end opposed to a fastening pin starting end presenting a cylindrical blind cavity enables manual starting of a collared fastening pin typically utilized in fastening metal tracks to typically concrete substrates and driving of the same home with placement of the fastening pin in the blind cavity, striking and penetrating the metal track with the exposed point of the fastening pin embedding the same partially in the substrate, retracting and then rotating the hammer head 180°, and striking the head of the fastening pin with the flat face of the conventional striking end. An optional bifurcated claw on the top of the head provides optimal leverage in conventional use pulling nails also driven by the conventional striking end. Conventional use with nails and similarly driven fasteners and safe, efficient, and reliable starting and driving of collared fastening pins is provided in a single hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Robert M. Bramuchi
  • Patent number: 6830002
    Abstract: A lift for watercraft has raised and lowered positions and is adapted to be mounted in a body of water. The lift has a substantially rectangular base with first and second pairs of vertical corner posts that are connected to and carry longitudinal beams. The base further has two transverse beams connected to the longitudinal beams. A pivoting cradle is attached to the base. Watercraft support bunk are connected to the cradle. A pair of actuators is connected on one end to the pivoting cradle and on the other end to one of the first pair of corner post. The first pair of corner posts is adapted to be long enough that at least a portion of the corner posts is above a water level of a body of water in which the lift is mounted, and the actuators are connected to the first pair of corner posts in the portion of the corner posts above the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Walker
  • Patent number: 6829927
    Abstract: A system that performs content analysis on comestible products using volumetric determination with a single-chamber technique in a mass production environment. The content value determination system includes a conveyor system, a system for weighing the comestible products interposed along the path of the conveyor, a volumetric determination station that consists of a plurality of receiving chambers, and a control module. In this embodiment, each receiving chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor and a mechanical system for modifying the volume of the chamber. In addition, both the pressure sensors and the volume modification system of each receiving chamber are operably connected to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Facet Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Retterath, Robert A. Laumeyer, Steven A. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6831781
    Abstract: A scanning confocal microscopy system and apparatus, especially useful for endoscopy with a flexible probe which is connected to the end of an optical fiber (9). The probe has a grating (12) and a lens (14) which delivers a beam of multi-spectral light having spectral components which extend in one dimension across a region of an object and which is moved to scan in another dimension. The reflected confocal spectrum is measured to provide an image of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Brett E. Bouma, Robert H. Webb, Constantinos Pitris, Millen Shishkov
  • Patent number: 6831051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to free-flowable compositions in a pouch which contain different free-flowable components fixed in different regions and to process for making these pouched compositions. The pouch and the compartment (s) thereof are preferably made from stretchable, elastic film which is water-soluble. The compositions are preferably cleaning compositions or fabric care compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nigel Patrick Sommerville-Roberts, Andy Chi Chien Wong
  • Patent number: 6829876
    Abstract: A process for splicing cut ends of a continuous strip of packets or bags used to hold bulk material. The steps of the process include forming a continuous strip of packets from packaging material and filling the packets with bulk material. The edges of the packaging material are sealed to form individual packets of the continuous strip such that adjacent packets share a common sealed area of packaging material. Openings are then formed in the common sealed areas between the adjacent packets. The continuous strip is then cut entirely across the common sealed area of the packets at two separate locations on the continuous strip to form cut ends such that each of the cut ends of the continuous strip contains an opening in the common sealed area. Without using splicing tape, the two cut ends of the continuous strip with openings are spliced together such that the openings in the two cut ends overlap. The splicing process can be accomplished by ultrasonic welding, impulse splicing or other processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventors: Robert W. Young, Tateshi Kimura, Stefan O. Dick
  • Patent number: 6831868
    Abstract: A memory includes byte aligned column redundancy capabilities for use in repairing the memory when a defective column is present. The memory array includes a repair/redundant column for use in repairing the memory when another column of the memory array is defective. The memory also has a redundant write multiplexer to select, when a defective column is present in the memory array, an input data bit to be written to the redundant column. A first input of the redundant write multiplexer may be coupled to receive either the LSB or the MSB of write data associated with the first column group and a second input of the redundant write multiplexer may be coupled to receive either the LSB or the MSB of write data associated with the second column group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Bateman, James R. Harness, Kayla L. Chalmers
  • Patent number: 6831202
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more octamantanes. Specifically disclosed are compositions comprising 25 to 100 weight percent of one or more octamantanes. Also disclosed are novel processes for the separation and isolation of octamantane components into recoverable fractions from a feedstock containing at least a higher diamondoid component which contains one or more octamantane components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy E. Dahl, Robert M. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6830720
    Abstract: A method for forming a top for a cooling tower having a bottom wall at least one opening therein for accommodating an air current generator. The cooling tower top additionally includes a plurality of hot liquid distributors for distributing hot liquid. The cooling tower top also includes a top wall having an opening for accommodating an air cooling generator and a liquid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Marley Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ohler L. Kinney, Jr., Robert S. Glauz, Brian F. Wright, Kathryn L. Pullen, Eldon F. Mockry
  • Patent number: 6830554
    Abstract: The present invention is an applicator barrel with a taped finger grip. The applicator barrel includes a barrel body having an outer surface. A three-dimensional tape is connected to a portion of the outer surface and includes a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface. The first surface has at least one integrally formed gripping structure extending outwardly from the first surface to provide a gripping surface, and the second surface is adhesive to connect the tape to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane R. Jackson, Suzanne A. Downs, Robert C. Norquest
  • Patent number: 6830159
    Abstract: A file cabinet providing access to files from substantially all sides, and having one or more rotatable tiers, each tier containing a plurality of file containers. Each tier includes a central carrousel support having a plurality of radially extending arms. Mounted to the outer terminus of each arm is a file support assembly, each configured to rotate about a vertical axis between a retracted position and an extended position. Each file support assembly is adapted to suspend a file container thereon to provide detachable storage. The detachable file containers each include a box having an upper frame which suspends the container from the file support assemblies. A top may provided to close each container in a secure manner to protect the container's contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Harbor Steel & Supply Corp.
    Inventors: Robert C. Caldwell, Jr., Charles B. Carter, David Kersjes, Gardner Klaasen, II
  • Patent number: 6832074
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically configuring the frequency allocation within a cellular system or network. The method requires the collection of measurements from different parts of a cellular network, generating statistics from these measurements, and combining these statistics with inventory, propagation and geographic data. The combined data is used as input to a frequency allocation algorithm. As a result, the allocation algorithm produces a frequency configuration set, a quality measure of the configuration proposed and/or a set of recommendations that is fed back to the cellular base stations to re-allocate the frequency usage in a plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joan Borras-Chia, Howard Lemberg, Robert White, Joseph Wilkes