Patents by Inventor Steven M. Smith

Steven 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).

  • Patent number: 12102027
    Abstract: An improved method for prescriptive seed treatment is provided. A location can be calculated where a combination of seed and one or more types and/or amounts of seed-applied substances will be planted. The combination is selected, based at least in part, on one or more conditions. The combination is generated prior to being planted. The method can further include selecting a type of seed and/or a type and/or amount of the one or more seed-applied substances to be applied. One or more applicators can apply the seed-applied substance(s) to the seed within a seed flow path during operation. A plurality of seed receptacles can contain different combinations of seed and/or seed-applied substances generated prior to being placed into the receptacles. The method could further include selecting a seed receptacle containing a selected combination, and delivering the selected combination from the selected seed receptacle to be planted by the planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: INFLEXION POINT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Smith, Nicholas M. Iwig, Mark M. Iwig, Pat Parks
  • Publication number: 20240298157
    Abstract: An example power tool includes a battery pack receiving portion including a battery pack compartment including a battery pack support structure configured to receive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. The power tool further includes a terminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion and including tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminals are configured to electrically and physically couple to the battery terminals. The power tool further includes an insertable device compartment located in the battery pack receiving portion and configured to receive an insertable wireless communication device including a first electronic processor, a transceiver, and device terminals. At least one device terminal is configured to electrically and physically couple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Richard P. Brault, Anthony Davis, Steven M. Smith, Ben Gordon, Amith J. Baskaran
  • Publication number: 20240269080
    Abstract: A process system and method for the making of articles, using an omnidirectional magnetic movement system with a transport surface and fabrication modules having a formation surface that can be transported omnidirectionally over the transport surface under the control of a movement controller. An article forming system provides process unit operations for forming articles onto the formation surface as the fabrication modules are moved asynchronously between a plurality of processing positions on the transport surface, and features a depositing device for placing a construction material onto the formation surface and one or more processing devices to form the construction material into the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas J. BRADBURY, Scott N. DANHOF, Jared T. EMERSON, Thomas D. HAUBERT, Jeffrey R. HELD, Steven Van Cleve KOROL, Grace M. LILLIE, James A. PRESCOTT, Jake M. PYZZA, Steven M. RISSER, Kenneth B. SCOTT, Frederick A. SEXTON, Kyle Edward SMITH, John P. TALLARICO, Jaedeok YOO, Kevin L. YUGULIS
  • Publication number: 20240240674
    Abstract: A steering shaft assembly includes a shaft having an end region to be coupled to another component with a mechanical fastener, the shaft comprising a protrusion extending radially outwardly from the shaft within the end region of the shaft. The steering shaft assembly also includes a ring flag coupleable to the end region of the shaft, the ring flag comprising a recess positioned to receive the protrusion of the shaft at a desired relative axial position of the ring flag and the shaft to rotationally align the ring flag and the shaft at a desired rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew L. Messing, Douglas M. Schneider, Steven R. Burk, Robert J. Smith, Phillip D. Beckman, JR.
  • Patent number: 11963079
    Abstract: An example power tool includes a battery pack receiving portion including a battery pack compartment including a battery pack support structure configured to receive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. The power tool further includes a terminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion and including tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminals are configured to electrically and physically couple to the battery terminals. The power tool further includes an insertable device compartment located in the battery pack receiving portion and configured to receive an insertable wireless communication device including a first electronic processor, a transceiver, and device terminals. At least one device terminal is configured to electrically and physically couple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Brault, Anthony Davis, Steven M. Smith, Ben Gordon, Amith J. Baskaran
  • Publication number: 20240064891
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon, Stephen Matson, Steven M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230296234
    Abstract: A device for performing a function. The device including a housing, an indicator configured to provide an indication, a first electronic processer within the housing and configured to control operation of the indicator, and a wireless communication device including a second electronic processer. The wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device, communicate with the first electronic processer to transfer data between the first electronic processer and the external device, receive a signal from the external device, and provide the signal to the first electronic processer. The first electronic processer is configured to prohibit, in response to receiving the signal from the wireless communication device, the indicator from providing the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jay Walsh, Steven M. Smith, Jonathan E. Abbott
  • Publication number: 20230262434
    Abstract: An example power tool includes a battery pack receiving portion including a battery pack compartment including a battery pack support structure configured to receive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. The power tool further includes a terminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion and including tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminals are configured to electrically and physically couple to the battery terminals. The power tool further includes an insertable device compartment located in the battery pack receiving portion and configured to receive an insertable wireless communication device including a first electronic processor, a transceiver, and device terminals. At least one device terminal is configured to electrically and physically couple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Richard P. Brault, Anthony Davis, Steven M. Smith, Ben Gordon, Amith J. Baskaran
  • Patent number: 11665519
    Abstract: An example power tool includes a battery pack receiving portion including a battery pack compartment including a battery pack support structure configured to receive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. The power tool further includes a terminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion and including tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminals are configured to electrically and physically couple to the battery terminals. The power tool further includes an insertable device compartment located in the battery pack receiving portion and configured to receive an insertable wireless communication device including a first electronic processor, a transceiver, and device terminals. At least one device terminal is configured to electrically and physically couple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Brault, Anthony Davis, Steven M. Smith, Ben Gordon, Amith J. Baskaran
  • Patent number: 11570888
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon, Stephen Matson, Steven M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220287172
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon, Stephen Matson, Steven M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11212909
    Abstract: A wireless communication device configured to be removably received in a first compartment of a first power tool device of a first type or in a second compartment of a second power tool device of a second type different than the first type of the first power tool device. An electronic processor of the wireless communication device may be configured to determine whether the wireless communication device is coupled to the first power tool device of the first type or the second power tool device of the second type. The electronic processor may be further configured to set an operational characteristic of the wireless communication device based on the determination of whether the wireless communication device is coupled to the first power tool device or the second power tool device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Smith, Anthony M. Davis
  • Publication number: 20210360775
    Abstract: A wireless communication device configured to be removably received in a first compartment of a first power tool device of a first type or in a second compartment of a second power tool device of a second type different than the first type of the first power tool device. An electronic processor of the wireless communication device may be configured to determine whether the wireless communication device is coupled to the first power tool device of the first type or the second power tool device of the second type. The electronic processor may be further configured to set an operational characteristic of the wireless communication device based on the determination of whether the wireless communication device is coupled to the first power tool device or the second power tool device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Steven M. Smith, Anthony M. Davis
  • Patent number: 11142319
    Abstract: A tool includes a handle, an extension member extending from the handle, and an anchor assembly coupled to the extension member opposite the handle. The anchor assembly is configured for selective anchoring to a seat track of an air cargo pallet, and the anchor assembly includes at least one locking member that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In particular, when the at least one locking member is in the unlocked position, the at least one locking member is configured to advance into a slot of the seat track. When the at least one tool is in the locked position, the at least one locking member is configured to mechanically interfere with at least a portion of the seat track in a manner retaining the at least one locking member in the slot, thereby anchoring the anchor assembly to the seat track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel F. Harrison, Aliaksandr Antsipau, Sebastian Bahamonde, Tiffany Lynn Cremer, Andrew John Gawne, Jason T. Laib, Racha Lwali, Sean O. Maylone, Steven M. Smith, Andrew Kyle Winn
  • Patent number: 10946123
    Abstract: A catheter connector assembly which may be included with a corporeal drainage system, and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The catheter connector assembly may include a catheter connector and a drainage line connector. The catheter connector may include a connector body with a coupling feature, a deformable sealing element, and a retaining member. The drainage line connector may include a drainage line body first and second hinge clips, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to deform the deformable sealing element when the drainage line connector is coupled to the catheter connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Christensen, Steven M. Smith, Jim C. Beasley, Kelly B. Powers
  • Publication number: 20200252774
    Abstract: An example power tool includes a battery pack receiving portion including a battery pack compartment including a battery pack support structure configured to receive and support a battery pack including battery terminals. The power tool further includes a terminal block located in the battery pack receiving portion and including tool terminals. At least two terminals of the tool terminals are configured to electrically and physically couple to the battery terminals. The power tool further includes an insertable device compartment located in the battery pack receiving portion and configured to receive an insertable wireless communication device including a first electronic processor, a transceiver, and device terminals. At least one device terminal is configured to electrically and physically couple to at least one shared terminal of the at least two terminals of the tool terminals. The insertable wireless communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Richard P. Brault, Anthony Davis, Steven M. Smith, Ben Gordon, Amith J. Baskaran
  • Publication number: 20200000984
    Abstract: A catheter connector assembly which may be included with a corporeal drainage system, and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The catheter connector assembly may include a catheter connector and a drainage line connector. The catheter connector may include a connector body with a coupling feature, a deformable sealing element, and a retaining member. The drainage line connector may include a drainage line body first and second hinge clips, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to deform the deformable sealing element when the drainage line connector is coupled to the catheter connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Mark A. Christensen, Steven M. Smith, Jim C. Beasley, Kelly B. Powers
  • Publication number: 20190274722
    Abstract: A valved sheath introducer for venous cannulation, including a valve, sheath, handle and cap. The valve is configured to permit safe introduction and removal of medical instruments through the sheath introducer. The valve may have one or more anchoring members and a thickened central portion through which a slit is formed. The central portion may have one or more concave surfaces and the slit can be angled with respect to the top surface of the valve. The cap is attached to the handle, compressing a portion of the valve therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Christensen, Walter H. Shang, Steven M. Smith, James D. Beal
  • Patent number: 10307182
    Abstract: A valved sheath introducer for venous cannulation, including a valve, sheath, handle and cap. The valve is configured to permit safe introduction and removal of medical instruments through the sheath introducer. The valve may have one or more anchoring members and a thickened central portion through which a slit is formed. The central portion may have one or more concave surfaces and the slit can be angled with respect to the top surface of the valve. The cap is attached to the handle, compressing a portion of the valve therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Christensen, Steven M. Smith, Walter H. Shang, James D. Beal
  • Publication number: 20180256792
    Abstract: A catheter connector assembly which may be included with a corporeal drainage system, and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The catheter connector assembly may include a catheter connector and a drainage line connector. The catheter connector may include a connector body with a coupling feature, a deformable sealing element, and a retaining member. The drainage line connector may include a drainage line body first and second hinge clips, and an actuator. The actuator is designed to deform the deformable sealing element when the drainage line connector is coupled to the catheter connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Christensen, Steven M. Smith, Jim C. Beasley, Kelly B. Powers