Patents by Inventor Stephen W. Smith
Stephen W. 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).
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Patent number: 5054802Abstract: A rugged but inexpensive bicycle frame comprises a tubular head post welded to the flattened forward end of a relatively large diameter tubular crossbar. The rear end of the crossbar is flattened laterally and provided with a concave rear edge. A tubular rear fork has a rounded bridge portion which is fitted to the crossbar rear edge so that the nominal plane of the rear fork is perpendicular to the headpost. Welds permanently connect the front and rear ends of the crossbar to the headpost and rear fork bridge portion respectively. There are openings in the top and bottom walls of the crossbar just forward of the rear end thereof for receiving a tubular seat post so that the lower end of set seat post extends appreciably below the crossbar. Welds permanently connect the seat post to the crossbar. A short tube is welded to the lower end of the seat post to support the pedal crank.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1990Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: Hedstrom CorporationInventor: Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 5046157Abstract: A controlled device is disclosed for allowing a parent to control the use of an appliance by a child. The system includes a plurality of user cards, one of which is assigned to each child. A control device is interconnected with the circuitry of the appliance for actuating and deactuating the controlled appliance. The amount of time allotted to each child can be stored in the memory of the control device. The control device is responsive to input from the children's user cards and actuates the controlled appliance when the time allotted to such user is greater than zero. Once the controlled appliance is actuated, the time allotted to the then current user is decremented until the appliance is deactuated. When the time alloted to the then current user reaches zero, the control device will automatically deactuate the controlled appliance and that child cannot use the appliance until more time is allotted to him or her.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1988Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Leland W. Poole, William C. Stewart
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Patent number: 4982339Abstract: Tissue signatures are obtained from first and second order statistics of an image texture to discriminate between different normal tissues and to detect abnormal conditions. These signatures described intrinsic backscatter properties of the tissue imaged and are used as the basis of an automatic tissue characterization algorithm. A device for on-line classifying of the texture of an image measures a total of four first and second order statistical properties of echo signals of a region of interest (ROI) selected by an operator, the echo signals being contained in an image memory. These can be used to obtain the tissue signatures, to detect low contrast lesions by machine, and to produce parametric images.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1989Date of Patent: January 1, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Department of Health and Human ServiceInventors: Michael F. Insana, Stephen W. Smith, David G. Brown, Robert F. Wagner
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Patent number: 4974461Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for producing ultrasound readings of simulated blood flow through a model left ventricle or larger portion of the human heart, held inside a fluid filled chamber with membrane-covered windows, and through mitral and aortic valves cooperating therewith to provide a simulated human circulation flow free of reverberation artifacts and the like. Adjustable flow of a selected hydraulic fluid into and out of the chamber that also contains a plurality of ultrasound absorbing elements disposed oppositely to the ultrasound viewing windows is utilized to produce ultrasound signals picked up by an ultrasound transducer for processing in any known manner. A range of flow rate and systolic characteristics of a heart are readily simulated, to provide outputs substantially free of reverberations and ultrasound reflections from the inside walls of the chamber as well as the ultrasound absorbing elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1989Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Jean E. Rinaldi
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Patent number: 4949310Abstract: An electronic signal processing device which forms a compound image for any pulse-echo ultrasound imaging system using a two-dimensional array transducer. The processing device obtains the detected sum of a series of cross-shaped apertures within the transducer in order to form a spatial compound image with the output of each cross-shaped aperture consisting of the product of the output signals from the orthogonal arms of the cross.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1988Date of Patent: August 14, 1990Assignee: Duke UniversityInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Olaf T. Von Ramm
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Patent number: 4894013Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for producing ultrasound readings of simulated blood flow through a model left ventricle or larger portion of the human heart, held inside a fluid filled chamber with membrane-covered windows, and through mitral and aortic valves cooperating therewith to provide a simulated human circulation flow free of reverberation artifacts and the like. Adjustable flow of a selected hydraulic fluid into and out of the chamber that also contains a plurality of ultrasound absorbing elements disposed oppositely to the ultrasound viewing windows is utilized to produce ultrasound signals picked up by an ultrasound transducer for processing in any known manner. A range of flow rate and systolic characteristics of a heart are readily simulated, to provide outputs substantially free of reverberations and ultrasound reflections from the inside walls of the chamber as well as the ultrasound absorbing elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1988Date of Patent: January 16, 1990Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Jean E. Rinaldi
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Patent number: 4875553Abstract: A modular elevator cab construction is provided for assembly onto a platform of an elevator cage substantially from within the area of the cab. A rear wall panel, two side wall panels and front wall structures are assembled by simple complementary interengaging hanger devices on the backside of the adjacent walls for assembling the walls in proper right-angular juxtaposition. Anchoring mechanisms are provided between the platform and the lower edges of the wall panels. A drop ceiling support framework is hung from the top edges of the surrounding, assembled walls without the use of extraneous fastening means. A unitary canopy structure surmounts the walls and has a skirt embracing the upper end portions of the walls.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1988Date of Patent: October 24, 1989Assignee: Montgomery Elevator CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Gilbert E. Londeen, Christopher Lair
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Patent number: 4875552Abstract: A modular elevator cab construction is provided for assembly onto a platform of an elevator cage substantially from within the area of the cab. A rear wall panel, two side wall panels and front wall structures are assembled by simple complementary interengaging hanger devices on the backside of the adjacent walls for assembling the walls in proper right-angular juxtaposition.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1988Date of Patent: October 24, 1989Assignee: Montgomery Elevator CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Gilbert E. Londeen, Christopher Lair
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Patent number: 4852577Abstract: An ultrasonic phased array imaging system is provided which includes a normal mode and an adaptive mode of operation. The adaptive mode adjusts the delay associated with each element in the transducer such that the average image brightness of the region of interest is maximized. A motion detector is provided for determining when the transducer has been moved a distance sufficient to render the previous adaptive measurements possibly invalid whereupon the system automatically reenters the normal mode. A method of operating the ultrasonic phased array imaging system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Gregg E. Trahey
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Patent number: 4817015Abstract: Tissue signatures are obtained from first and second order statistics of an image texture to discriminate between different normal tissues and to detect abnormal conditions. These signatures describe intrinsic backscatter properties of the tissue imaged, and are used as the basis of an automatic tissue characterization algorithm. A device for on-line classifying of the texture of an image measures a total of four first and second order statistical properties of echo signals of a region of interest (ROI) selected by an operator, the echo signals being contained in an image memory. These can be used to obtain the tissue signatures, to detect low contrast lesions by machine, and to produce parametric images.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1985Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: The United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Health and Human ServicesInventors: Michael F. Insana, Stephen W. Smith, David G. Brown, Robert F. Wagner
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Patent number: 4779707Abstract: A modular elevator cab construction is provided for assembly onto a platform of an elevator cage substantially from within the area of the cab. A rear wall panel, two side wall panels and front wall structures are assembled by simple complementary interengaging hanger devices on the backside of the adjacent walls for assembling the walls in proper right-angular juxtaposition. Anchoring mechanisms are provided between the platform and the lower edges of the wall panels. A drop ceiling support framework is hung from the top edges of the surrounding, assembled walls without the use of extraneous fastening means. A unitary canopy structure surmounts the walls and has a skirt embracing the upper portions of the walls.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1986Date of Patent: October 25, 1988Assignee: Montgomery Elevator CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Gilbert E. Londeen, Christopher Lair
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Patent number: 4737661Abstract: A variable speed trigger switch particularly adapted for use with electric power tools such as drills. The trigger switch features clam shell construction and a single vertically disposed circuit board thereby facilitating assembly and resulting in a low cost and compact unit. Wire connections are kept to a minimum through use of the circuit board in accordance with this invention having power contact resistance and wire terminal connectors formed directly on the board. The trigger switch includes a locking feature enabling the trigger switch to be locked at a desired position and further provides an adjustable detent which can be felt by the user during trigger retraction. The electronics package of the trigger switch employs an electronic motor speed control circuit which provides a combination of open loop and closed loop motor control.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1986Date of Patent: April 12, 1988Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: William R. Lessig, III, Dale K. Wheeler, R. Roby Bailey, Jr., Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 4734629Abstract: A variable speed trigger switch particularly adapted for use with electric power tools such as drills. The trigger switch features clam shell construction and a single vertically disposed circuit board thereby facilitating assembly and resulting in a low cost and compact unit. Wire connections are kept to a minimum through use of the circuit board in accordance with this invention having power contact resistance and wire terminal connectors formed directly on the board. The trigger switch includes a locking feature enabling the trigger switch to be locked at a desired position and further provides an adjustable detent which can be felt by the user during trigger retraction. The electronics package of the trigger switch employs an electronic motor speed control circuit which provides a combination of open loop and closed loop motor control.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1987Date of Patent: March 29, 1988Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: William R. Lessig, III, Dale K. Wheeler, R. Roby Bailey, Jr., Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 4694434Abstract: An acoustic pulse echo imaging system capable of producing an image of a three-dimensional object utilizing a two-dimensional display having perspective capabilities is described. In the system angular relationships of targets at all ranges are maintained for display. The system uses a two-dimensional transducer array of piezoelectric elements; the array is steered to assume transmit and receive orientations in both azimuth and elevation by producing (1) a directed transmit pulse and many similarly directed receive orientations or (2) a non-directed transmit pulse and many directed receive orientations. For each transmit pulse a parallel processing system produces several unique image points whose locations in the image correspond to the tangents of the angles of the receive orientations in the azimuth and elevation planes. The brightness of each image point is the weighted integral of the echo data received along each receive path.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1984Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Inventors: Olaf T. von Ramm, Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 4649245Abstract: A variable speed trigger switch particularly adapted for use with electric power tools such as drills. The trigger switch features clam shell construction and a single vertically disposed circuit board thereby facilitating assembly and resulting in a low cost and compact unit. Wire connections are kept to a minimum through use of the circuit board in accordance with this invention having power contact resistance and wire terminal connectors formed directly on the board. The trigger switch includes a locking feature enabling the trigger switch to be locked at a desired position and further provides an adjustable detent which can be felt by the user during trigger retraction. The electronics package of the trigger switch employs an electronic motor speed control circuit which provides a combination of open loop and closed loop motor control.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1985Date of Patent: March 10, 1987Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: William R. Lessig, III, Dale K. Wheeler, R. Roby Bailey, Jr., Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 4596145Abstract: An acoustic imaging system capable of producing C-mode images or orthoscopic projection images of a three-dimensional volume at significantly increased speeds of operation is described. For each acoustic pulse transmitted by a piezoelectric transducer array an electronic parallel processing system produces several unique image points whose locations in the image correspond to the Cartesian coordinates of the positions of receiving transducers. While range information is not directly displayed, range discrimination can be realized by means of an optional range dependent gain control or an optional color display in which range discrimination occurs through visual discrimination of differing hues.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1983Date of Patent: June 24, 1986Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Olaf T. von Ramm
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Patent number: D290940Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1985Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Assignee: Brown Group Recreational Products, Inc.Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, William H. Ziegler, Jr.
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Patent number: D291187Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1985Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: Hedstrom CorporationInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Joel C. Cunard
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Patent number: D291292Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1985Date of Patent: August 11, 1987Assignee: Hedstrom CorporationInventors: Stephen W. Smith, Joel C. Cunard
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Patent number: D317142Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: Hedstrom Corp.Inventor: Stephen W. Smith