Patents by Inventor S. Robert Sharpless

S. Robert Sharpless 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: 8646737
    Abstract: A holding device for use when mixing materials in a bucket. The holding device has a support base with a flat bucket placement area. At least one vertical guide extends upwardly from the support base, along a periphery of the bucket placement area. A locking cam is provided that is connected to the support base with a pivot connection. The pivot connection enables the locking cam to rotate in a plane parallel to the support base from a first position that is outside the bucket placement area to a second position that is at least in part within the bucket placement area. When a bucket is placed upon the flat bucket support base, the locking cam is out of the way. Once the bucket is positioned, the locking cam is rotated until the locking cam engages the exterior of the bucket and prevents the bucket from spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: S. Robert Sharpless
  • Patent number: 6869526
    Abstract: A device for removing petroleum based contaminants from the runoff water that passes into a storm drain. The device is a filter apparatus that can be added to a storm drain. The filter apparatus includes a filter cage that defines an open central conduit and a filter cartridge that wraps around the periphery of the filter cage. During normal rain conditions, water enters the sewer grate near the edges of the sewer grate. This water falls through the filter cartridge and is filtered. Solid debris that is mixed with the water is deflected through the central conduit and falls through the filter apparatus. During flood conditions, excess water is allowed to pass through the center conduit of the filter cage unfiltered in order to preserve the water flow capacity of the storm drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: S. Robert Sharpless
  • Publication number: 20040094461
    Abstract: A device and method for removing petroleum based contaminants from the runoff water that passes into a storm drain. The device is a filter apparatus that can be added to a storm drain. The filter apparatus consists of a filter cage that defines an open central conduit and a filter cartridge that wraps around the periphery of the filter cage. During normal rain conditions, water enters the sewer grate near the edges of the sewer grate. This water falls through the filter cartridge and is filtered. Solid debris that is mixed with the water is deflected through the central conduit and falls through the filter apparatus. During flood conditions, excess water is allowed to pass through the center conduit of the filter cage unfiltered in order to preserve the water flow capacity of the storm drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: S. Robert Sharpless
  • Patent number: 6368499
    Abstract: A disposable filter cartridge for a storm drain and the filter system that uses the improved filter cartridge are claimed. The filter cartridge has a pillow structure, wherein a water permeable scrim bag surrounds loose oil absorbing fibers. The oil absorbing fibers are preferably fabricated from melt blown polypropylene. The filter cartridge is placed in a filter cage that directs water flow through the filter cartridge yet prevents debris from reaching the filter cartridge. The filter cage is suspended below the grate of the storm drain by suspension elements such as chains or rods. The top of each of the suspension elements terminates at an attachment element that engages the grate of the storm drain. As a result, the filter cage and filter cartridge are suspended directly from the storm drain grate. By suspending the filter cartridge directly from the grate of a storm drain, the filter cartridge is positioned directly in line with the flow of water entering the storm drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: S. Robert Sharpless