Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Francis

Thomas J. Francis 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).

  • Publication number: 20240121125
    Abstract: A data modeling and analytics platform augments and annotates content captured from a user's online interactions and other documents. The data modeling and analytics platform is performed within a machine learning and artificial intelligence-based processing environment that enables observability, explainability, and data analytics for dynamic information discovery over time within a user library that includes files representing the online interactions and documents containing information of user interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: THOMAS N. BLAIR, ALEXEY GODER, JOERG RINGS, JOSHUA PETER FRANCIS YODER, SPYROS J. LAZARIS, GREGORY BURLET
  • Patent number: 9144196
    Abstract: A mower drive wheel incorporating an edging plate including a number of different blade edge profiles for assisting in edging various types and thicknesses of grass or turf. The drive wheel can be reconfigured so that a one piece edging plate is replaced by a plurality of individually attachable blades. A modified walk behind powered mower is also disclosed and which integrates an adjustment mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of the edging drive wheel. A secondary drive wheel disconnect linkage is included and the main blade housing of the mower can also exhibit a widened profile to facilitate vacuum intake of the edging debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas J. Francis
  • Publication number: 20130219845
    Abstract: A mower drive wheel incorporating an edging plate including a number of different blade edge profiles for assisting in edging various types and thicknesses of grass or turf. The drive wheel can be reconfigured so that a one piece edging plate is replaced by a plurality of individually attachable blades. A modified walk behind powered mower is also disclosed and which integrates an adjustment mechanism for modifying a rotary turning speed of the edging drive wheel. A secondary drive wheel disconnect linkage is included and the main blade housing of the mower can also exhibit a widened profile to facilitate vacuum intake of the edging debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas J. Francis
  • Publication number: 20110083414
    Abstract: The lawn-care maintenance apparatus is compatible with a conventional power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rotary blade that can be readily attachable to and detachable from a drive wheel of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. Also, the lawn-care maintenance apparatus comprises fastener elements for securing the rotary blade onto a drive wheel of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. The edger blade when attached to the drive wheel of the power, self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower is driven by the power system of the self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. The rotary blade is offset from the center of the axis of the drive wheel of the self-propelled, walk-behind lawnmower. Another embodiment of the lawn-care maintenance apparatus is a permanent edger attachment that is capped when the edging is not needed, this extending the life of the edger blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas J. Francis
  • Patent number: 7766967
    Abstract: Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods are provided. The nucleus replacement implant, which is configured to reside within an intervertebral disc nucleus space, includes a core support structure, including a rotatable member and multiple vertebral support structures. The vertebral support structures are disposed in spaced relation with the rotatable member positioned therebetween. The implant further includes an elastic body at least partially surrounding the core support structure. When the rotatable member is in the first orientation, the implant is in a compressed height configuration to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intervertebral disc nucleus space, and when the rotatable member is in the second orientation, the implant is in an extended height configuration to facilitate use of the implant as a prosthetic intervertebral disc nucleus replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Francis
  • Publication number: 20080147078
    Abstract: A device and method for determining the appropriate length of rod to be placed between a first bone anchor assembly and a second bone anchor assembly in a spinal stabilization system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas J. Francis, Kent M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20080114453
    Abstract: Intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods of implanting the same within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies are provided. One device includes first and second components, each configured to engage a respective one of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Each component includes a vertebral support plate with a spherical segment protruding therefrom. The spherical segments are disposed to reside within nuclear recesses in the adjacent vertebral bodies when the device is implanted in the intervertebral space, and are configured with a common center of rotation which aligns with the natural axis of rotation of the adjacent vertebral bodies. An articulation member, which interfaces the first and second vertebral support plates, may be an articular ball and respective concave articular surface regions in the plates, or alternatively, a convex articular surface and a respective concave articular surface in the vertebral support plates of the first and second components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. FRANCIS