Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Reid

Thomas J. Reid 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: 20160377416
    Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing topography of a reflective surface are provided. The methods comprise directing an arrayed light source onto the reflective surface to produce a reflected light pattern; and observing the reflected light pattern without the use of a computer to detect the presence of one or more topographical features of the reflective surface. The devices comprise an arrayed light source and a portable support operatively connected to the arrayed light source by an adjusting element. The presence of one or more topographical features of the reflective surface to are noted by an observer without the use of a computer. Defects may be discerned by the presence of a swirl in a reflected light pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, Elaine M. Yorkgitis, Joseph A. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20160178171
    Abstract: Described is an overhead lighting device (10) that slides on a track (12) that may be continuous and has a releasable brake (20). A light bar (14) comprising a plurality of light sources (16) is in movable contact with the track (12). The releasable brake (20) has a first position that locks the light bar (14) in place and a second position that allows the light bar (14) to move freely. The light bar (14) may move from a position parallel to the track (12) to a hinged position that allows a user to position the light bar (14) as much as perpendicular to the track. Members (32) to mount the device (10) are flexible to facilitate packaging and shipping of the device (10), where the members (32) are sleeved (34) with a material that can be made rigid upon installation by, for example, the use of resin-impregnated materials such as knit fiberglass, foam, or cloth or the use of thermoset plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J. Reid
  • Patent number: 8282753
    Abstract: A protection sheet and method of protecting a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the protection sheet comprises an adhesive coated nonwoven material. In an embodiment a surface of the protection sheet captures and retains paint overspray, dust, dirt and other contaminants so as to provide a cleaner paint job. In an embodiment the protection sheet may be laminated to a second nonwoven or woven material to allow clean removal after extended use. The protection sheet may be used to protect horizontal or vertical substrates, and is particularly suited to protect the surfaces of a paint booth used in automotive spray-painting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: John D. Stelter, Troy K. Ista, Thomas J. Reid, Patrick J. Hager, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Publication number: 20120090780
    Abstract: A protection sheet and method of protecting a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the protection sheet comprises an adhesive coated nonwoven material. In an embodiment a surface of the protection sheet captures and retains paint overspray, dust, dirt and other contaminants so as to provide a cleaner paint job. In an embodiment the protection sheet may be laminated to a second nonwoven or woven material to allow clean removal after extended use. The protection sheet may be used to protect horizontal or vertical substrates, and is particularly suited to protect the surfaces of a paint booth used in automotive spray-painting operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: John D. Stelter, Troy K. Ista, Thomas J. Reid, Patrick J. Hager, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 8105450
    Abstract: A protection sheet and method of protecting a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the protection sheet comprises an adhesive coated nonwoven material. In an embodiment a surface of the protection sheet captures and retains paint overspray, dust, dirt and other contaminants so as to provide a cleaner paint job. In an embodiment the protection sheet may be laminated to a second nonwoven or woven material to allow clean removal after extended use. The protection sheet may be used to protect horizontal or vertical substrates, and is particularly suited to protect the surfaces of a paint booth used in automotive spray-painting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John D. Stelter, Troy K. Ista, Thomas J. Reid, Patrick J. Hager, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Publication number: 20100159815
    Abstract: A particulate filtration system is provided for protecting a substrate to be painted from wet or dry particulates the result from overspray. The filtration system includes a particulate filter, a grate, and a two-dimensional prefilter. The filtration system can be used, for example, in spray painting booths for painting vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, John D. Stelter, Troy K. Ista
  • Publication number: 20090095400
    Abstract: A protection sheet and method of protecting a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the protection sheet comprises an adhesive coated nonwoven material. In an embodiment a surface of the protection sheet captures and retains paint overspray, dust, dirt and other contaminants so as to provide a cleaner paint job. In an embodiment the protection sheet may be laminated to a second nonwoven or woven material to allow clean removal after extended use. The protection sheet may be used to protect horizontal or vertical substrates, and is particularly suited to protect the surfaces of a paint booth used in automotive spray-painting operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: John D. Stelter, Troy K. Ista, Thomas J. Reid, Patrick J. Hager, Kevin M. Eliason
  • Patent number: 7279057
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of finishing a wood surface for exterior exposure of the wood using a finishing film material in the form of a sheet. The finishing film comprises a flexible polymeric sheet material having a first major surface and a second major surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer covering at least a portion of the first major surface of the sheet material. The finishing film is adhered to the surface to the wood surface by the adhesive layer. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for the finishing of brightwork on boats, for example, teak or mahogany brightwork. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for finishing curved and/or compound curved surfaces due to the flexibility and elongation of the finishing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, Jeffrey R. Janssen
  • Patent number: 6964509
    Abstract: A task light assembly including a long flexible fiber optic element capable of transmitting light between light inlet and light outlet ends; a light source at the light inlet end of the fiber optic element; and a reel assembly for supporting the light source and the light inlet end of the fiber optic element and for allowing movement of the fiber optic element between a storage position with the light outlet end of the fiber optic element supported in a storage position, and an extended use position with the light outlet end of the fiber optic element at a work location remote from the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John E. Gozum, Thomas J. Reid, Duane C. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6891077
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wound dressings comprising fibrinogen and at least one procoagulant such as propyl gallate in a therapeutic amount. Also disclosed are methods of treating wounds, increasing an amount of or rate of coagulation of blood from a wound, increasing an amount of or rate of clot formation over a wound, increasing blood platelet counts, activating a coagulation system, increasing the plasma concentration of fibrinogen, and decreasing the activated partial thromboplastin time. Also disclosed are an arterial bleeding model and methods of studying arterial bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Stephen W. Rothwell, Chitra Krishnamurti, Thomas J. Reid, III
  • Patent number: 6811628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of finishing a wood surface for exterior exposure of the wood using a finishing film material in the form of a sheet. The finishing film comprises a flexible polymeric sheet material having a first major surface and a second major surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer covering at least a portion of the first major surface of the sheet material. The finishing film is adhered to the surface to the wood surface by the adhesive layer. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for the finishing of brightwork on boats, for example, teak or mahogany brightwork. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for finishing curved and/or compound curved surfaces due to the flexibility and elongation of the finishing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, Jeffrey R. Janssen
  • Patent number: 6799880
    Abstract: Illumination devices comprising a light source and a light fiber are reported. The light fiber is optically coupled to the light source such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source impinges on the input end of the light fiber. The light fiber comprises an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end. The light fiber includes a light-emitting region including at least one optical element that directs light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extends over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John E. Gozum, Thomas J. Reid, Gerald L. Uhl
  • Publication number: 20030156431
    Abstract: Illumination devices comprising a light source and a light fiber are reported. The light fiber is optically coupled to the light source such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source impinges on the input end of the light fiber. The light fiber comprises an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end. The light fiber includes a light-emitting region including at least one optical element that directs light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extends over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Gozum, Thomas J. Reid, Gerald L. Uhl
  • Patent number: 6535667
    Abstract: Light fibers comprising: (a) an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end; (b) a light-emitting region directing light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the light-emitting region comprising at least one optical element; and (c) a continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extending over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements. Methods of making the light fibers using an embossing process are also reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John E. Gozum, Thomas J. Reid, Gerald L. Uhl, Raymond C. Wegleitner
  • Publication number: 20030040692
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wound dressings comprising fibrinogen and at least one procoagulant such as propyl gallate in a therapeutic amount. Also disclosed are methods of treating wounds, increasing an amount of or rate of coagulation of blood from a wound, increasing an amount of or rate of clot formation over a wound, increasing blood platelet counts, activating a coagulation system, increasing the plasma concentration of fibrinogen, and decreasing the activated partial thromboplastin time. Also disclosed are an arterial bleeding model and methods of studying arterial bleeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen W. Rothwell, Chitra Krishnamurti, Thomas J. Reid
  • Patent number: 6267492
    Abstract: Side emitting light guides are provided in connection with illumination devices, light guide systems, and tasklight illumination kits. The side emitting light guides may be provide bright directional light, or they may be provide diffuse light. The side emitting light guides may be flexible to allow for insertion into tortuous passageways. The light guides may also have a relatively small profile and/or a solid core. The light guides may also include shades that allow an operator to convert the light guides from side emitting to end emitting in order to provide brighter, more focused illumination in a particular area to perform some tasks. When completed, the user has the option of re-configuring the light guides for side emission to provide general area illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 5476771
    Abstract: A quantitative method for determining the plasma levels of thrombin-specific inhibitors is based on the quantitative thrombin time using plasma dilutions, excess fibrinogen and thrombin. The plasma dilutions and excess fibrinogen act in concert to eliminate the effects that coagulopathies have on standard coagulation tests. The method is relatively simple and provides superior results to standard conventional tests. The method is suitable for performance in clinical hematology laboratories on a routine basis using commercially available instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas J. Reid, Barbara Alving
  • Patent number: 4272091
    Abstract: The roller skate is designed for outdoor skating with balancing control being attained by a pair of center wheels, a front wheel and a rear wheel. Center wheels are on opposite sides of an imaginary center line while the front and rear wheels are aligned with each other along said imaginary line. All wheels are of the same size. A discrete shock absorber is provided for each of the front and rear wheels with a common shock absorber being provided for the center wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas J. Reid, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4098519
    Abstract: A wheeled sled is provided with crossed steering bars pivoted to each of the rear axle brace, front axle brace and steering handle. The steering bars pivot the axle braces in opposite directions as the steering handle is moved to minimize the turning circle. Longitudinally extending coil springs bias the steering handle to a neutral position. Handle grip brakes are provided on the steering handle for braking the front wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Inventor: Thomas J. Reid, Jr.