Patents by Inventor Steven Neltner

Steven Neltner 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).

  • Triggerable mechanisms and fragment containment arrangements for self-destructing frangible structures and sealed vessels
    Patent number: 12013043
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a frangible structure coupled or integral to at least a portion of the apparatus and a triggerable mechanism disposed at or proximate the frangible structure. The triggerable mechanism is configured to break the frangible structure in response to a trigger signal. A containment structure is disposed on or over at least a portion of the frangible structure. The containment structure is configured to allow at least the portion of the frangible structure to deform or change shape in response to breaking of the frangible structure while keeping substantially all fragments of at least the portion of the broken frangible structure together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Chua, Julie Ann Bert, Steven Neltner, Emily Coker
  • Mechanical triggers and triggering methods for self-destructing frangible structures and sealed vessels
    Patent number: 11904986
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a structure comprising a predetermined breakable region and a mechanical actuator disposed at or proximate the predetermined breakable region. The mechanical actuator comprises an impact member coupled to a spring arrangement, and a restraint member operably coupled to the spring arrangement. A trigger source is operably coupled to an electrical power source. The trigger source, in response to receiving current from the electrical power source, is configured to release or break the restraint member so as to allow the spring arrangement to forcibly move the impact member into contact with, and break, the predetermined breakable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher L. Chua, Norine E. Chang, Julie Ann Bert, Scott J. Limb, Steven Neltner, Eric Cocker
  • MECHANICAL TRIGGERS AND TRIGGERING METHODS FOR SELF-DESTRUCTING FRANGIBLE STRUCTURES AND SEALED VESSELS
    Publication number: 20220194524
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a structure comprising a predetermined breakable region and a mechanical actuator disposed at or proximate the predetermined breakable region. The mechanical actuator comprises an impact member coupled to a spring arrangement, and a restraint member operably coupled to the spring arrangement. A trigger source is operably coupled to an electrical power source. The trigger source, in response to receiving current from the electrical power source, is configured to release or break the restraint member so as to allow the spring arrangement to forcibly move the impact member into contact with, and break, the predetermined breakable region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher L. Chua, Norine E. Chang, Julie Ann Bert, Scott J. Limb, Steven Neltner, Eric Cocker
  • TRIGGERABLE MECHANISMS AND FRAGMENT CONTAINMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SELF-DESTRUCTING FRANGIBLE STRUCTURES AND SEALED VESSELS
    Publication number: 20220196169
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a frangible structure coupled or integral to at least a portion of the apparatus and a triggerable mechanism disposed at or proximate the frangible structure. The triggerable mechanism is configured to break the frangible structure in response to a trigger signal. A containment structure is disposed on or over at least a portion of the frangible structure. The containment structure is configured to allow at least the portion of the frangible structure to deform or change shape in response to breaking of the frangible structure while keeping substantially all fragments of at least the portion of the broken frangible structure together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher L. Chua, Julie Ann Bert, Steven Neltner, Emily Coker