Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Ford

Thomas E. Ford 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: 6793617
    Abstract: An examination unit having walls of substantially transparent plastic material coupled to an air tube frame that, when inflated, supports the walls to define an enclosed chamber. Access to the chamber is gained through a resealable port that facilitates easy entry and exit, as well as good sealing of the air within the chamber. Built into at least one wall of the chamber is a pair of sleeved-gloves that allow: a user of the examination unit to insert his or her hands into the chamber to handle an object therein without skin contact. The examination unit may be collapsed for space-saving storage and transport, and then readily inflated to provide a suitable environment for any number of treatments or investigations requiring that an object remain isolated from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ford, Michael T. Ford, Douglas F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20040158121
    Abstract: An examination unit having walls of substantially transparent plastic material coupled to an air tube frame that, when inflated, supports the walls to define an enclosed chamber. Access to the chamber is gained through a resealable port that facilitates easy entry and exit, as well as good sealing of the air within the chamber. Built into at least one wall of the chamber is a pair of sleeved-gloves that allow a user of the examination unit to insert his or her hands into the chamber to handle an object therein without skin contact. The examination unit may be collapsed for space-saving storage and transport, and then readily inflated to provide a suitable environment for any number of treatments or investigations requiring that an object remain isolated from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ford, Michael T. Ford, Douglas F. Ford
  • Patent number: 5622137
    Abstract: A low cost, disposable temperature sensor comprising a non-porous rigid substrate having a colored patch of a contrasting color, covered by a thermochromic material which obscures the colored patch. The thermochromic material, which has a color in the visual range which completely obscures the underlying colored patch, is selected to have a melting or solidus point such that when the material is exposed to a predetermined temperature, the thermochromic material permanently changes to a relatively transparent color whereby the colored patch on the substrate is rendered visible through the thermochromic material. A transparent cover or film encapsulates the thermochromic material place on the substrate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate comprises a paperboard product, and includes printed indicia for making a permanent record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Trans World Services
    Inventors: Elmer C. Lupton, Jr., Thomas E. Ford, Peter E. Ford
  • Patent number: 4884683
    Abstract: A bottle tote for temporary storage and transport of empty beverage containers includes a planar base with four upright members extending fixedly therefrom to free ends lying in a common plane. The upright members support a plurality of track structures, each adapted to receive an open-topped tray having dividers for holding the containers. A foldable and adjustable handle structure is attached to the uppermost track, and a plurality of rod-like members are selectively engageable with the free ends of the upright members to permit vertical stacking of two totes of the same design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas E. Ford
  • Patent number: 4638909
    Abstract: A container for retaining artist's paints or the like and for preventing same from drying or hardening during storage in the container comprising an open top box including a base and side walls and a cover that can be superposed over the box opening. The underside of the cover includes a resilient gasket of foam rubber or plastic that is located to bear against the edges of the side walls when the box is closed. A thin sheet of polyethylene film is disposed over the gasket to provide an easily cleanable surface and to aid in the conformance of the gasket to side wall edges.Located within the closed box is a moisture resevoir such as wetted sponge placed in fluid communication with the paints stored in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas E. Ford
  • Patent number: 4123127
    Abstract: An artist's kit for use with an easel comprising a rectangular box having a base and a front wall, a rear wall and side walls all disposed substantially perpendicular to the base. A cover is pivotally mounted to the box for movement from a closed position to an open position wherein the plane of the cover is substantially parallel to the base of the box. The cover can be releasably locked in the open position to form a rigid, open top tray assembly. The kit further comprises mounting members to releasably connect the rigid tray assembly to the legs of the easel during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Thomas E. Ford
  • Patent number: D887503
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ARC2 Enterprises, A Foundation for Health, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Ford