Patents by Inventor Steven Alan Curry
Steven Alan Curry 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: 6397015Abstract: An encoded device for a toner cartridge provides a plate having preprogrammed indicia positioned at locations defined in relation to a clock face. The preprogrammed indicia includes a start indicia positioned at about a 6:00 o'clock position and at least one measurement indicia located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees from the 6:00 o'clock position.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
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Publication number: 20010036368Abstract: One aspect of the invention is the invention is directed to a toner cartridge including a sump for carrying a supply of toner. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the sump, and the agitator has a first end and a second end. An encoded wheel is coupled to the first end of the agitator. The encoder wheel is structured and adapted to include a first preselected cartridge characteristic indicia having a first extent, a stop indicia having a second extent larger than the first extent and a start indicia having a third extent larger than the second extent. Each indicia may be in the form of a slot. Preferably, the start indicia is positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 O'clock postition. The stop indicia is positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position. At least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia is positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, Phillip Byron Wright
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Patent number: 6295422Abstract: An encoded wheel for a toner cartridge including a plate having preprogrammed indicia positioned at locations defined in relation to a clock face, the preprogrammed indicia including a start indicia positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 o'clock position, a stop indicia positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position, at least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia, and at least one measurement indicia located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees from said 6:00 o'clock position.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
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Patent number: 6285838Abstract: To protect a belt fuser (20) a weighted value for sheets being fused is assigned which is larger for smaller widths and larger for longer length. For standard width media a negative value is assigned. A first count is maintained until it reaches a first threshold, after which (operations 76 and 86), the printer is slowed to half speed, twice interpage gap interval and lower fuser temperature. A subsequent count is made of a second set of weighted values (action 62). In response to the second count the interpage gap interval is increased depending on the size of the count and the nature of the media. For example (Table 1), narrow and long media is fed 2 sheets at 30 ppm, then 3 sheets at 15 ppm by slowdown, then 5 sheets at 9 ppm by increasing the gap interval during slowdown and the remainder of such sheets are fed at 5 ppm by further increasing the gap interval. Very short envelopes and paper are fed 10 sheets at 10 ppm and the rest at 15 ppm by the slowdown.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Anthony Able, Brian Keith Bartley, Steven Alan Curry
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Patent number: 6169860Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a toner cartridge including a sump for carrying a supply of toner. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the sump, and the agitator has a first end and a second end. An encoded wheel is coupled to the first end of the agitator. The encoded wheel is structured and adapted to include a first preselected cartridge characteristic indicia having a first extent, a stop indicia having a second extent larger than the first extent and a start indicia having a third extent larger than the second extent. Each indicia may be in the form of a slot. Preferably, the start indicia is positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 o'clock position. The stop indicia is positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position. At least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia is positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
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Patent number: 6009285Abstract: Method is disclosed for determining characteristics of a toner cartridge. One aspect is directed to determining the characteristics associated with a quantity of toner in the cartridge, and thus, the method includes the steps directed to determining a home position of an encoded device relative to a code reader, determining a delay in rotational movement of the encoded device with respect to a rotational movement of a drive mechanism as an agitator moves through the toner, and translating the delay into an amount of toner remaining in the cartridge. Another aspect is directed to determining preselected cartridge characteristics from the encoded device, and thus, the method includes steps directed to rotating the encoded device, reading a coding of the encoded device, and decoding the coding to determine the preselected cartridge characteristic information represented by the coding. The method steps directed to these aspects of the method may be performed separately or in aggregate.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Steven Alan Curry, Christopher Dane Jones, Benjamin Keith Newman, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
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Patent number: 6009291Abstract: A toner cartridge (1) contains a photoconductive drum (49) having a central shaft (47). Gear (145) turns with the drum and has a stud (602). A coil spring (604) is mounted on the stud to form a spring clutch which is unwound by the rotation of the drum during imaging. Alternatively, a flat frictional surface is pressed against the side wall (600b) of the gear. Both contact areas have a light grease. The drag forces provide accurate, smooth operation during imaging.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Paul Douglas Horrall, David Lee Merrifield, Daniel George Mlejnek, James John Molloy, Harald Portig, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Richard Andrew Seman, Jr.
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Patent number: 5995772Abstract: A cartridge for an electrophotographic machine having a sump for carrying an agitator rotatably mounted in the sump for engagement with a toner; an encoded device coupled to a first end of the agitator; and a torque sensitive coupling connected to a second end of the agitator which is connectable to a drive mechanism of the machine. The encoded device includes coding representing cartridge characteristic information.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1996Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Earl Dawson Ward, II, Phillip Byron Wright
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Patent number: 5880244Abstract: A release agent composition for use in an electrophotographic process is disclosed. This composition includes a specifically-defined heat-stable silicone oil-silicone wax random copolymer. The copolymer has a melting point such that it is liquid on the hot fuser roll, but solidifies at room temperature on the printed page. A random silicone copolymer, in the form of a paste or pliable caulk, which is useful for sealing leaks in toner cartridges is also disclosed. Finally, the method for preparing these copolymers is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Kathryn Elaine Dowlen, Bradley Leonard Beach, Steven Alan Curry, Earl Dawson Ward II
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Patent number: 5855138Abstract: Torsion springs (1) are graded by both winding and unwinding them in a test fixture (20) having a central arbor (52a) and ledges (54,58) functionally corresponding to the use of the springs. This takes hysteresis into account. Data obtained at a known location is approximated as separate straight lines for winding and unwinding. The rotation at the predetermined base or preload torque is determined from the straight lines, and the two values are averaged. To this average value a large predetermined amount (70 degrees) of rotation is added, the torque at that value of rotation is determined from the straight lines, and the two values are averaged. The spring is graded as acceptable when that average torque is within a predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Steven Alan Curry, Benjamin Keith Newman
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Patent number: 5802432Abstract: Toner cartridge (1) has a unitary assembly forming the handle (3a, 3b), the cover (25), side walls (33, 245) and the cleaner chamber (27) and hold the photoconductor drum (43). Each of the side walls has a U-shaped housing (35, 247) which loosely receives a pin (37a, 37b) from the side of the hopper (61). The hopper is part of a unitary assembly holding the toner adder roller (45) and the developer roller (43). Second pins (131a, 131b) from the sides of the hopper carry springs which pull the two assemblies together to press the developer roller against the photoconductor. The hopper also has flat ledges (161a, 133a) on each side for movement on roller in the printer. This further permits the cartridge to have central locating elements (29a, 29b), wing-like guides (9a, 9b) for insertion, links (13a, 13b) to open a lower shutter (7), and unobstructed ends of photoconductor shaft (47) for positively locating on that shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Johnnie A. Coffey, Steven Alan Curry, Larry Steven Foster, Paul Douglas Horrall, John Randolph McIntyre, Richard Alden Ramsdell, David Erwin Rennick
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Patent number: 5758231Abstract: Hopper plug (143) vents out air pressure build-up which cause toner leaks. One side of the plug has a series of entrance openings (491) which communicate with the inside of the hopper (61). Air, potentially containing some toner particles, passes through those openings and enters a first chamber (507). The first chamber has exit holes (499) which do not face the entrance openings. Air passing through the exit holes of the first chamber enters a second chamber (509). The second chamber has exit holes (495) which are at the opposite end and do not face the entrance openings. Third chamber (511) of this labyrinth faces a mat toner filter (501) which leads to exit holes (503).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Johnnie A. Coffey, Steven Alan Curry, Robert Flynt Strean, Earl Dawson Ward, II
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Patent number: D399249Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Robert Leonard Burdick, Johnnie A. Coffey, Steven Alan Curry, William Dudley Freeman, John Wayne Gassett, Paul Douglas Horrall, Benjamin Keith Newman, Richard Alden Ramsdell, Robert Flynt Strean, Earl Dawson Ward, II