Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Schneider

Thomas P. Schneider 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: 7297561
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed that enhances quality control inspection of device. The structure includes a substrate having at least one planar face, a first metal layer on the planar face, and covering some, but not all of the planar face in a first predetermined geometric pattern, and a second metal layer on the planar face, and covering some, but not all of the planar face in a second geometric pattern that is different from the first geometric pattern. A quality control method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a first metal layer on a semiconductor face of a device in a first predetermined geometric pattern, placing a second metal layer on the same face of the device as the first layer and in a second predetermined geometric pattern that is different from the first geometric pattern, and then inspecting the device to identify the presence or absence of one or both of the patterns on the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph C. Tuttle, Christopher Sean Plunket, David B. Slater, Jr., Gerald H. Negley, Thomas P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6903446
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed that enhances quality control inspection of device. The structure includes a substrate having at least one planar face, a first metal layer on the planar face, and covering some, but not all of the planar face in a first predetermined geometric pattern, and a second metal layer on the planar face, and covering some, but not all of the planar face in a second geometric pattern that is different from the first geometric pattern. A quality control method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a first metal layer on a semiconductor face of a device in a first predetermined geometric pattern, placing a second metal layer on the same face of the device as the first layer and in a second predetermined geometric pattern that is different from the first geometric pattern, and then inspecting the device to identify the presence or absence of one or both of the patterns on the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph C. Tuttle, Christopher Sean Plunket, David B. Slater, Jr., Gerald H. Negley, Thomas P. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030076489
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed that enhances quality control inspection of device. The structure includes a substrate having at least one planar face, a first metal layer on the planar face, and covering some, but not all of the planar face in a first predetermined geometric pattern, and a second metal layer on the planar face, and covering some, but not all of the planar face in a second geometric pattern that is different from the first geometric pattern. A quality control method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a first metal layer on a semiconductor face of a device in a first predetermined geometric pattern, placing a second metal layer on the same face of the device as the first layer and in a second predetermined geometric pattern that is different from the first geometric pattern, and then inspecting the device to identify the presence or absence of one or both of the patterns on the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph C. Tuttle, Christopher Sean Plunket, David B. Slater, Gerald H. Negley, Thomas P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5992500
    Abstract: A composite metallic cast article (A) includes a shell (28) having a predetermined solid phase density. A non removable insert (24) is at least partially embedded within the shell (28). The insert (24) is fabricated from a foamed metal substance having a substantially lower solid phase density than the shell (28). The foamed metal insert (24) may have a layer of skin (26) fused with the molten metal of the shell (28) during the casting process. Tapered locating pins (30) or other spacing elements position the insert (24) within the mold cavity (18) to prevent shift during the casting operation. The foamed metal insert (24) reduces the time and expense involved in removing a traditional casting core after the casting operation is complete. Also, the insert (24) can be completely enclosed within the shell (28) of the article (A), thereby expanding the design capabilities of such cast articles (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: CMI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schneider, John L. Jorstad
  • Patent number: 5067641
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier with a three point mounting arrangement for carrying bicycles on the rear of a motor vehicle. The carrier has a central upright member with a lower end structure for detachably securing the bicycle carrier to a conventional draw bar hitch which is attached to the motor vehicle. The base end portion of a rearward extending swing arm is pivotally attached to the upper end of the upright member and a short distance below the swing arm there is a lateral member which is centered and fixed to the lateral member. A pair of spaced apart hanger brackets extend longitudinally from attachments to the lateral member, to mount each bicycle at two points on the carrier. The swing arm is releasably rotatable about a transverse axis from a horizontal locked position adjacent to the hanger brackets to an upward position away from the hanger brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Valley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Johnson, Thomas P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4828526
    Abstract: A toy figurine and a fluid actuated animated module for ready detachment and attachment to the toy figurine. The toy figurine includes a means for generating and transmitting pressurized fluid which is utilized to activate an animated feature contained within the module. The figurine also includes a socket assembly to facilitate the detachment and attachment of the module and provide a fluid seal between the figurine and the module. The socket assembly includes a movable member having a front end surface which is substantially flush with the outer covering of the figurine when the module is detached. The movable member is capable of assuming a depressed position so as to permit the attachment of the module to the socket assembly and facilitate the flow of pressurized fluid from the figurine to the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Those Characters From Cleveland
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schneider, Randy J. Randleman
  • Patent number: 4614505
    Abstract: A toy figure which is progressively transformable into different configurations. The figure has a body portion comprising a mass of compliant fill material with a fabric cover thereover. The body portion has fanciful material (e.g. facial components and appendages) integral therewith. A fabric segment is secured to the body portion and forms a pocket on the body portion. The pocket is resiliently deformable to allow parts of the body portion and its fanciful material to be forced through the pocket as the toy is changed from one configuration to another. The pocket has a memory and, when a desired transformation is achieved, the pocket is contractable to hold the figure in a new configuration. The top figure preferably depicts a fanciful three dimensional character in one of its basic configurations and is transformed into a ball-like form in another of its basic configurations. When the figure is in its ball-like form, some of the fanciful material is visible to give the ball-like form a fanciful appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Those Characters From Cleveland
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schneider, Susan E. Trentel
  • Patent number: D291819
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Those Characters From Cleveland, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schneider, Susan E. Trentel
  • Patent number: D315763
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Those Characters From Cleveland, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schneider, Randy J. Randleman