Patents by Inventor Stephen William Clarke

Stephen William Clarke 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: 11723479
    Abstract: An indicator device comprises an indicator member (102, 222, 330) moveable between first and second positions, a switch means (152, 252, 352) engageable by the indicator member when the indicator member is in the second position, a signal generating means (160, 260, 360) for generating a data signal, connected to the switch means, a signal transmitting means (158, 258, 358) connected to the signal generating means for wirelessly transmitting the data signal and an electrical power source (162, 262, 362) for supplying electrical power to the signal generating means and the signal transmitting means, wherein the device is configured to generate and transmit a data signal on actuation of the switch means. The invention also includes a dispensing device comprising such an indicator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Publication number: 20210289952
    Abstract: An indicator device comprises an indicator member (102, 222, 330) moveable between first and second positions, a switch means (152, 252, 352) engageable by the indicator member when the indicator member is in the second position, a signal generating means (160, 260, 360) for generating a data signal, connected to the switch means, a signal transmitting means (158, 258, 358) connected to the signal generating means for wirelessly transmitting the data signal and an electrical power source (162, 262, 362) for supplying electrical power to the signal generating means and the signal transmitting means, wherein the device is configured to generate and transmit a data signal on actuation of the switch means. The invention also includes a dispensing device comprising such an indicator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Patent number: 10555622
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprises a loading chamber (12), a dispensing chamber (14), located beneath the loading chamber, a gate or shutter (24) movable between a first open position and a second closed position to allow selective communication of the loading chamber and the dispensing chamber. The device further comprises a first indicating means in the form of a first indicator member (114) which is retainable in a first-retracted position when the gate or shutter (24) is in the closed position and which is displaceable to a second, extended position when the gate or shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position. The device further comprises second indicating means (116) which is actuable to display a second visible signal to indicate that the first signal has been observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Patent number: 9476739
    Abstract: An indicator device comprises a first slide member (22) mounted on a planar base (1). The first slide member (22) is displaceable between a first position in which it reveals a first status indicating area (26) indicative of a first condition or state and a second position in which it reveals a second status indicating area (28) indicative of a second condition or state. A second slide member (30) is mounted on the base (10) and is displaceable into and across the path of the first indicator member (22) when the first indicator member is in the first position, to inhibit displacement of the first indicator member. The second indicator member (30) is displaceable between a first position in which it does not inhibit the displacement of the first indicator member (22) and a second position in which it inhibits the displacement of the first indicator member to its second position. The device may also be provided with one or more RFID tags (80, 82, 84) to permit remote monitoring of the status of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Publication number: 20140292493
    Abstract: An indicator device (D) comprises a base (10, 12) and a first indicator member (30) slidably mounted in a window (28) in the base between a first position indicative of a first condition or status of the device and a second position indicative of a second condition or status of the device. A releasable retention means, e.g. in the form of a pawl or catch (40), is mounted on the base, for retaining the first indicator member (28) in the first position and release means (48) are operable from outside the base for releasing the retention means, wherein the first indicator member (30) moves toward the second position on the release of the retention means (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: HURST GREEN PLASTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen William Clarke, Thomas Benjamin Sharples
  • Publication number: 20130341413
    Abstract: An indicator device comprises a first slide member (22) mounted on a planar base (1). The first slide member (22) is displaceable between a first position in which it reveals a first status indicating area (26) indicative of a first condition or state and a second position in which it reveals a second status indicating area (28) indicative of a second condition or state. A second slide member (30) is mounted on the base (10) and is displaceable into and across the path of the first indicator member (22) when the first indicator member is in the first position, to inhibit displacement of the first indicator member. The second indicator member (30) is displaceable between a first position in which it does not inhibit the displacement of the first indicator member (22) and a second position in which it inhibits the displacement of the first indicator member to its second position. The device may also be provided with one or more RFID tags (80, 82, 84) to permit remote monitoring of the status of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Patent number: 8006859
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprising a housing having an upper loading chamber, a dispensing chamber located beneath the loading chamber and a gate movable between a first, open position and second, closed position to allow selective communication of the loading chamber and the dispensing chamber, entry to the lower chamber being by way of a door, the device further comprising a lock which prevents the door from opening when the gate is in the open position and which prevents opening of the gate, when the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Publication number: 20100193538
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprises a loading chamber (12), a dispensing chamber (14), located beneath the loading chamber, a gate or shutter (24) movable between a first open position and a second closed position to allow selective communication of the loading chamber and the dispensing chamber. The device further comprises a first indicating means in the form of a first indicator member (114) which is retainable in a first-retracted position when the gate or shutter (24) is in the closed position and which is displaceable to a second, extended position when the gate or shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position. The device further comprises second indicating means (116) which is actuable to display a second visible signal to indicate that the first signal has been observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Patent number: 7146246
    Abstract: A dispenser has an upper loading chamber (38), a dispensing chamber (40) located beneath the loading chamber, first and second openable covers (24, 34) for the loading chamber (38) and a dispensing chamber (40) and a gate means (32) mounted in the housing between the two chambers and forming a lower wall of the loading chamber (38). The gate means (32) is movable to allow selective communication of a loading chamber (38) and the dispensing chamber (40) to allow the contents of the loading chamber to fall into the dispensing chamber (40). Opening of the gate means (32) to an extent sufficient to allow the contents to fall into the dispensing chamber generates a signal from a limit switch (59) indicative that the loading chamber (38) is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke
  • Publication number: 20040144794
    Abstract: A dispenser has an upper loading chamber (38), a dispensing chamber (40) located beneath the loading chamber, first and second openable covers (24, 34) for the loading chamber (38) and a dispensing chamber (40) and a gate means (32) mounted in the housing between the two chambers and forming a lower wall of the loading chamber (38). The gate means (32) is movable to allow selective communication of a loading chamber (38) and the dispensing chamber (40) to allow the contents of the loading chamber to fall into the dispensing chamber (40). Opening of the gate means (32) to an extent sufficient to allow the contents to fall into the dispensing chamber generates a signal from a limit switch (59) indicative that the loading chamber (38) is empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen William Clarke