Patents by Inventor Stephen Spurgeon

Stephen Spurgeon 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: 12275256
    Abstract: A fixture for supporting an article (e.g., a guitar such as a Stratocaster® guitar body) and controlling the position of the article relative to a print head to allow a contoured portion of a surface of the article to be printed by the print head. The fixture may include a pivot axis about which the article is pivotal. A cam surface may be engaged by the article and/or a bracket of the fixture to which the article is affixed to prescribe the controlled movement of the article based on relative movement between the article and the print head. In turn, both planar and contoured portions of the guitar surface may be printed during a single print operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: PS BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Spurgeon, Robert Ross
  • Publication number: 20230347668
    Abstract: A fixture for supporting an article (e.g., a guitar such as a Stratocaster® guitar body) and controlling the position of the article relative to a print head to allow a contoured portion of a surface of the article to be printed by the print head. The fixture may include a pivot axis about which the article is pivotal. A cam surface may be engaged by the article and/or a bracket of the fixture to which the article is affixed to prescribe the controlled movement of the article based on relative movement between the article and the print head. In turn, both planar and contoured portions of the guitar surface may be printed during a single print operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen SPURGEON, Robert ROSS
  • Patent number: 11701905
    Abstract: A fixture for supporting an article (e.g., a guitar such as a Stratocaster® guitar body) and controlling the position of the article relative to a print head to allow a contoured portion of a surface of the article to be printed by the print head. The fixture may include a pivot axis about which the article is pivotal. A cam surface may be engaged by the article and/or a bracket of the fixture to which the article is affixed to prescribe the controlled movement of the article based on relative movement between the article and the print head. In turn, both planar and contoured portions of the guitar surface may be printed during a single print operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: PS Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Spurgeon, Robert Ross
  • Publication number: 20220219476
    Abstract: A transfer method utilizing partially cured radiation sensitive ink to transfer a onto a contoured or uneven surface area of a guitar body by a transfer method. Specifically, a transfer material has a surface that is printed with a radiation sensitive ink. The desired design may be printed to the surface and partially cured by exposing the radiation sensitive ink to appropriate radiation. Thereafter, the surface of the transfer material may be brought into facing engagement with the contoured surface of the guitar body such that the printed and partially cured design is disposed between the contoured surface and the transfer material. The design may be transferred to the contoured surface by, for example, application of pressure to an opposite side of the transfer material using a burnisher or the like. Once transferred, the design may be fully cured by exposing the now transferred radiation sensitive ink to appropriate radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Spurgeon, Robert J. Ross
  • Publication number: 20220048299
    Abstract: A fixture for supporting an article (e.g., a guitar such as a Stratocaster® guitar body) and controlling the position of the article relative to a print head to allow a contoured portion of a surface of the article to be printed by the print head. The fixture may include a pivot axis about which the article is pivotal. A cam surface may be engaged by the article and/or a bracket of the fixture to which the article is affixed to prescribe the controlled movement of the article based on relative movement between the article and the print head. In turn, both planar and contoured portions of the guitar surface may be printed during a single print operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Spurgeon, Robert Ross
  • Publication number: 20060158685
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Spurgeon, Ronald Kammerer
  • Publication number: 20050152001
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Spurgeon, Ronald Kammerer
  • Publication number: 20050088693
    Abstract: A system for creating a decorative edible item from a selected image. The system includes at least one image source, such as a scanner and/or a library of stored images, a controller unit and a printer. An edible media is inserted into the printer. The user then selects the image source, such as the scanner for scanning in a photograph reminiscence of a person or event being honored. The size of the printed image is then selected as well as the number of copies to be printed from the image. The print sequence is then activated. The controller unit applies color correction to the digital image and converts the digital image into printer control signals to operate the printer. The printer then prints a rendition of the image with edible inks as the edible media travels through the printer. A high-quality pictorial rendition of the image is thus created. The printed edible media can then be applied onto a product, shipped to a separate location or eaten as is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Andy Schnoebelen, Marc Schnoebelen, Jeff Barkhimer, Matt Bullen, Mark McLoughlin, Mary Sandquist, Stephen Spurgeon, Ronald Kammerer
  • Patent number: 6743109
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring a decorative image to a bowling ball by sublimation from a transfer sheet. The method includes applying at least one transfer sheet containing sublimation inks representing a decoration, such as an image or graphic, to the outer surface of the bowling ball and transferring the decoration from the transfer sheet to the bowling ball by applying sufficient heat and pressure to sublimate the inks. A heat press apparatus is one exemplary apparatus that is contemplated for providing the heat and pressure. The heat and pressure may be maintained after sublimation to allow the inks to penetrate beneath the outer surface of the bowling ball. This allows decorating the bowling ball with a durable image or graphic that does not does not affect the performance of the bowling ball. The decoration may cover the entire bowling ball, or any portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Bowling & Billards Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Kammerer, Jr., Stephen Spurgeon
  • Publication number: 20020103034
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring a decorative image to a bowling ball by sublimation from a transfer sheet. The method includes applying at least one transfer sheet containing sublimation inks representing a decoration, such as an image or graphic, to the outer surface of the bowling ball and transferring the decoration from the transfer sheet to the bowling ball by applying sufficient heat and pressure to sublimate the inks. A heat press apparatus is one exemplary apparatus that is contemplated for providing the heat and pressure. The heat and pressure may be maintained after sublimation to allow the inks to penetrate beneath the outer surface of the bowling ball. This allows decorating the bowling ball with a durable image or graphic that does not does not affect the performance of the bowling ball. The decoration may cover the entire bowling ball, or any portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald Kammerer, Stephen Spurgeon