Patents by Inventor Scott M. Fitzgerald

Scott M. Fitzgerald 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: 6701080
    Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Jensen, Dana A. Carlile, Jan A. Chrisler, Scott M. Fitzgerald, Fred J. Oleson
  • Publication number: 20040018013
    Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning member with at least one self-loading cleaning surface or pad mounted directly over the film, such that when assembled, the cleaning surface or pad applies a force onto the film. The cleaning member of the present invention is preferably provided upstream of a magnetic head with respect to a direction of travel of the film in an imaging apparatus. The cleaning member of the present invention contacts the film with a sufficient load or force to clean the film and preferably, the opposing magnetic tracks of the film, prior to the film passing the magnetic heads or reaching the magnetic head area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Jensen, Dana A. Carlile, Jan A. Chrisler, Scott M. Fitzgerald, Fred J. Oleson
  • Patent number: 6594903
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Fitzgerald, Jan A. Chrisler, Daniel M. Pagano
  • Publication number: 20030024109
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott M. Fitzgerald, Jan A. Chrisler, Daniel M. Pagano
  • Patent number: 6470572
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Fitzgerald, Jan A. Chrisler, Daniel M. Pagano
  • Patent number: 5764456
    Abstract: A recording head apparatus includes a first rigid frame (80); a magnetic head (14) supported by the first frame; a head-to-medium backer device (18; 37) including a second rigid frame (24; 38) supporting an elastically deformable leaf spring (20; 40) for engaging a magnetic medium (16) to urge the medium into contact with the head; a carrier (100) supported on the first frame for movement toward or away from the head, the backer device being supported by the carrier; and a spring member (110) for biasing the carrier toward the head, the carrier and backer device being moveable away from the head against the bias of the spring member to permit the head to be cleaned without requiring disassembly of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Fitzgerald, Frederick J. Oleson, Jan A. Chrisler, Jeffrey M. Steele, Alan T. Brewen, Patrick J. Argento