Patents by Inventor Ronald A. Smart

Ronald A. Smart 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: 8641105
    Abstract: Partition systems comprise a first post member attached to a foldable partition, a securing mechanism attached to the first post member and comprising at least one permanent magnet switch configured to selectively apply a significant attractive magnetic force, and at least another post member comprising a material responsive to the applied significant attractive magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet switch. Methods of securing a partition system comprise bringing a first post member of a foldable partition proximate at least another post member; and manipulating the at least one permanent magnet switch attached to the first post member to selectively apply a significant attractive magnetic force to the at least another post member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Ronald A. Smart, Craig G. Bell
  • Publication number: 20120187703
    Abstract: Partition systems comprise a first post member attached to a foldable partition, a securing mechanism attached to the first post member and comprising at least one permanent magnet switch configured to selectively apply a significant attractive magnetic force, and at least another post member comprising a material responsive to the applied significant attractive magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet switch. Methods of securing a partition system comprise bringing a first post member of a foldable partition proximate at least another post member; and manipulating at least one permanent magnet switch attached to the first post member to selectively apply a significant attractive magnetic force to the at least another post member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Ronald A. Smart, Craig G. Bell
  • Patent number: 7886804
    Abstract: Folding partitions and related methods and components are provided and may include accordion-style folding doors or partitions having multiple folding panels. In one embodiment, a folding partition includes one or more baffling devices. A baffling device may include an elongated enclosure having a first opening proximate a first longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, a second opening proximate a second longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, and a flow path extending from the first opening to the second opening. A sound attenuation chamber may be disposed adjacent at least a portion of the flow path. In one embodiment, one or more baffling devices may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, a jamb component of the partition. In another embodiment, one or more baffling devices may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, the hinged connection of panel sections of a partition panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Michael D. George, Michael E. Hazlett, Craig G. Bell, Ronald A. Smart, Jaren R. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 7845384
    Abstract: A partition system is provided as well as an apparatus and method for securing movable partitions. In one embodiment, a movable partition, such as a folding door, includes a post member (e.g., a lead post) having a latching structure associated therewith. Another post member, such as associated with a wall or another movable partition, includes a latching structure configured to form a magnetic coupling with the first latching structure. One of the latching structures may be slidingly displaced relative to its associated post member so as to selectively bring the two latching members into or out of alignment with one another. When a magnetic coupling has been formed, relative displacement of the two latching structures results in the weakening, if not defeat, of the magnetic coupling so that the post members, and their associated partitions, may be displaced away from one another. Other latching structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Ronald A. Smart, Craig Bell
  • Publication number: 20090188633
    Abstract: Folding partitions and related methods and components are provided and may include accordion-style folding doors or partitions having multiple folding panels. In one embodiment, a folding partition includes one or more baffling devices. The baffling device may include an elongated enclosure having a first opening proximate a first longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, a second opening proximate a second longitudinal end of the elongated enclosure, and a flow path extending from the first opening to the second opening. A sound attenuation chamber may be disposed adjacent the at least one insulative channel disposed adjacent at least a portion of the flow path. In one embodiment, the baffling device may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, a jamb component of the partition. In another embodiment, the baffling device may be disposed in, or otherwise associated with, the hinged connection of panel sections of a partition panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: WON-DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Michael D. George, Michael E. Hazlett, Craig G. Bell, Ronald A. Smart, Jaren R. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20090044918
    Abstract: A partition system is provided as well as an apparatus and method for securing movable partitions. In one embodiment, a movable partition, such as a folding door, includes a post member (e.g., a lead post) having a latching structure associated therewith. Another post member, such as associated with a wall or another movable partition, includes a latching structure configured to form a magnetic coupling with the first latching structure. One of the latching structures may be slidingly displaced relative to its associated post member so as to selectively bring the two latching members into or out of alignment with one another. When a magnetic coupling has been formed, relative displacement of the two latching structures results in the weakening, if not defeat, of the magnetic coupling so that the post members, and their associated partitions, may be displaced away from one another. Other latching structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Ronald A. Smart, Craig Bell
  • Patent number: 5638639
    Abstract: An emergency door, such as a fire door which closes automatically in case of fire, includes a nose piece which moves to an extended position when the door is closed to provide a seal of the gap otherwise present between the forward edge of the door and an adjacent door frame or door, and generally also interlocks with a mating portion of the adjacent frame or door. An addition latching element may be provided to extend from the top edge of the door and be received in a keeper when the door is closed. Door operating hardware, preferably all mounted interiorly of the door except for a push bar on one side of the door and a door handle on the other side, is operable to retract the nose piece and latching element when it is desired to open the door. The nose piece and latching element are held in retracted position when the door is open. A release device releases the latching element and nose piece to extend to extended position when the door is moved to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Wallace D. Pack, Michael D. George, Ronald A. Smart, Ronald L. Richardson, Craig Bell, Michael Hazlett, James D. Porter