Patents by Inventor Shawn M. Smith

Shawn M. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20180219149
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator for powering a load includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a plurality of semiconductors positioned between the first and the second mounting plates. The plurality of semiconductors includes one of positive-type or negative-type semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Shawn M. Smith, Patrick R. Darmstadt
  • Publication number: 20160197260
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator for powering a load includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a plurality of semiconductors positioned between the first and the second mounting plates. The plurality of semiconductors includes one of positive-type or negative-type semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn M. Smith, Patrick R. Darmstadt
  • Patent number: 8863353
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet. A dirt cup assembly is carried on the body. The dirt cup assembly includes a primary cyclone, a plurality of secondary cyclones and an airflow path between the primary cyclone and the plurality of secondary cyclones. A suction generator is carried on the body. The suction generator moves an airstream through the suction inlet, the airflow path of the dirt cup assembly and the suction outlet. The airflow path is characterized by a primary air guide including an airflow surface that provides for laminar airflow between the secondary cyclones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Shawn M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8769764
    Abstract: A hand-held and conversion vacuum cleaner includes a housing carrying a suction generator, a dirt collection vessel and a suction inlet. A first connector is carried on the housing. The first connector secures the suction inlet in fluid communication with a first cleaning attachment. The vacuum cleaner also includes an adapter having a second connector that secures the suction inlet in fluid communication with a second cleaning attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: James Todd Crouch, Shawn M. Smith, Julio C. Leguen-Perez
  • Publication number: 20140137362
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a body having a suction inlet and an exhaust outlet. A dirt cup assembly is carried on the body. The dirt cup assembly includes a primary cyclone, a plurality of secondary cyclones and an airflow path between the primary cyclone and the plurality of secondary cyclones. A suction generator is carried on the body. The suction generator moves an airstream through the suction inlet, the airflow path of the dirt cup assembly and the suction outlet. The airflow path is characterized by a primary air guide including an airflow surface that provides for laminar airflow between the secondary cyclones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Shawn M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8186009
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction inlet and a rotary agitator. A canister assembly is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. Still further, the vacuum cleaner includes a clutch assembly for controlling power transmission from the drive motor of the suction generator to the rotary agitator. The clutch assembly includes a pulley driven by the drive motor, a first clutch element connected to the pulley, a second clutch element connected to the rotary agitator and an actuator for displacing the second clutch element between a first, engaged position and a second, disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Shawn M. Smith, Shannon D. Phegley
  • Publication number: 20120030898
    Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner has a housing that carries a suction generator, a dirt collection vessel, a suction inlet and a first connector. The first connector is adapted for securing the suction inlet in fluid communication with a first cleaning attachment. The housing includes a suction conduit extending from the dirt collection vessel through the first connector. The dirt collection vessel includes an inlet in fluid communication with one end of the suction conduit. The inlet of the dirt collection vessel includes a resilient flap valve that is normally closed to seal in and maintain dirt and debris in the dirt collection vessel but swings open when the suction generator is energized to allow dirt and debris to be sucked into the dirt collection vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: James Todd Crouch, Shawn M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120030896
    Abstract: A hand-held and conversion vacuum cleaner includes a housing carrying a suction generator, a dirt collection vessel and a suction inlet. A first connector is carried on the housing. The first connector secures the suction inlet in fluid communication with a first cleaning attachment. The vacuum cleaner also includes an adapter having a second connector that secures the suction inlet in fluid communication with a second cleaning attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: James Todd Crouch, Shawn M. Smith, Julio C. Laguen-Perez
  • Publication number: 20080223407
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction inlet and a rotary agitator. A canister assembly is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. Still further, the vacuum cleaner includes a clutch assembly for controlling power transmission from the drive motor of the suction generator to the rotary agitator. The clutch assembly includes a pulley driven by the drive motor, a first clutch element connected to the pulley, a second clutch element connected to the rotary agitator and an actuator for displacing the second clutch clement between a first, engaged position and a second, disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Shawn M. Smith, Shannon D. Phegley
  • Patent number: 6678896
    Abstract: An article of headwear (1), preferably of moisture absorbent cloth, having two narrow end sections (4a, 4b) and a wide middle section (7) for covering the head and neck of a wearer. The inner side (3) of the middle section (7) contains a pocket (10) near the bottom (9) for holding thermal matter (15), such as frozen liquid or heat pads. An optional semi-circular headband (5) on the inner side (3) of the middle section (7) above the pocket (10) may assist in placing and holding the headwear to a forehead on a person. An optional visor (11) extending from the top portion (8) of the headwear is also provided. The end sections may serve as handles to be held by the hands. Various other fastening means (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) have been provided for securing the headwear to the head of a wearer. The outside (2) of the headwear may also serve as a medium for advertising (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: Aaron E. Robinson, Shawn M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030074717
    Abstract: An article of headwear (1), preferably of moisture absorbent cloth, having two narrow end sections (4a, 4b) and a wide middle section (7) for covering the head and neck of a wearer. The inner side (3) of the middle section (7) contains a pocket (10) near the bottom (9) for holding thermal matter (15), such as frozen liquid or heat pads. An optional semi-circular headband (5) on the inner side (3) of the middle section (7) above the pocket (10) may assist in placing and holding the headwear to a forehead on a person. An optional visor (11) extending from the top portion (8) of the headwear is also provided. The end sections may serve as handles to be held by the hands. Various other fastening means (13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) have been provided for securing the headwear to the head of a wearer. The outside (2) of the headwear may also serve as a medium for advertising (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Aaron E. Robinson, Shawn M. Smith
  • Patent number: D866988
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Argonorth LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Shaffer, Theresa L. Blair, Katlyn C. Garcia, Shawn M. Smith, Joel E. Kramka, Evan A. Sparks, Jeffrey L. Crull, John M. Fritz