Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Hill

Thomas R. Hill 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: 9731325
    Abstract: Disclosed is mobile mechanical xeriscape gravel cleaner which is delivered to the site of the xeriscaping to be cleaned by a wheel/axle assembly, leveled with adjustable jack stands mounted on the metal frame. Xeriscape material to be cleaned is collected and deposited in a hopper with slide plate to control flow of material into the receiving chamber. Using an external power system, the auger/screener device rotation begins and picks up and carries forward the material, passing through the transition plate to the auger/cleaner chamber where foreign material passes through the screen. The cleaned material proceeds to the discharge chamber where it is collected and returned to the original xeriscaped site. The mobile mechanical xeriscape gravel cleaner can clean xeriscape gravel at a lower cost, with improved quality and a higher rate of speed than was previously possible, with significantly reduced burden to the ecosystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hill
  • Publication number: 20160310993
    Abstract: Disclosed is mobile mechanical xeriscape gravel cleaner which is delivered to the site of the xeriscaping to be cleaned by a wheel/axle assembly, leveled with adjustable jack stands mounted on the metal frame. Xeriscape material to be cleaned is collected and deposited in a hopper with slide plate to control flow of material into the receiving chamber. Using an external power system, the auger/screener device rotation begins and picks up and carries forward the material, passing through the transition plate to the auger/cleaner chamber where foreign material passes through the screen. The cleaned material proceeds to the discharge chamber where it is collected and returned to the original xeriscaped site. The mobile mechanical xeriscape gravel cleaner can clean xeriscape gravel at a lower cost, with improved quality and a higher rate of speed than was previously possible, with significantly reduced burden to the ecosystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hill
  • Publication number: 20140215731
    Abstract: Disclosed is mobile mechanical xeriscape gravel cleaner which is delivered to the site of the xeriscaping to be cleaned by a wheel/axle assembly, leveled with adjustable jack stands mounted on the metal frame. Xeriscape material to be cleaned is collected and deposited in a hopper with slide plate to control flow of material into the receiving chamber. Using an external power system, the auger/screener device rotation begins and picks up and carries forward the material, passing through the transition plate to the auger/cleaner chamber where foreign material passes through the screen. The cleaned material proceeds to the discharge chamber where it is collected and returned to the original xeriscaped site. The mobile mechanical xeriscape gravel cleaner can clean xeriscape gravel at a lower cost, with improved quality and a higher rate of speed than was previously possible, with significantly reduced burden to the ecosystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hill
  • Patent number: 6827379
    Abstract: Apparatus for deploying decorative wiring upon elevated locations. The apparatus, packaged in kit form, utilizes a pole for installing wiring from a stable ground position. An installation nut screws unto the pole for manipulating accessory tools that deploy the clips and wiring. The nut comprises captivating slots to which a clip controller and wire tool are alternately coupled. A prong projecting from the controller forcibly engages the wiring clips. After clip installation, wires are installed with the wire tool's arms. The controller and wire tool both comprise flexible legs fitted within the nut slots that are snap-fitted by detents. Each clip comprises a baseplate, and an outwardly angled cradle for holding wiring. The gutter clip has a projecting latch terminating in a gutter-engaging barb. The adhesively-backed clip is press fitted to the target. A control region formed between the cradle and the baseplate of each clip receives the controller prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hill, Wesley Due, Dennis Shrable, James Dilday, William Redifer, David S. Burleigh, Raymond Diehl, Hank Tiley, Harry R. Froit
  • Patent number: 6659521
    Abstract: A system for hanging objects from conventional suspended ceilings comprises resilient clips snap-fitted to ceiling rails, an installation tool for controlling the clips, and an elongated pole that threadably couples to the tool, enabling clip manipulation. Each clip comprises an upper clasp, an integral, lower hook, and a midportion. Clasp jaws that yieldably deflect apart comprise opposed flanges that forcibly grip the ceiling rails. The installation tool comprises receptacles for temporarily receiving the clips, and an internal, threaded bore mated to the installation pole. Each receptacle comprises a pair of generally planar retaining arms that partially block a captivation slot. The midportions of the clips slidably fit within the installation tool captivation slots. When pushed towards the ceiling rails the jaws snap apart and surmount the horizontal rail portion. When released, the jaws retract, with their flanges firmly gripping the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Micro Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hill, Hank Tiley, Wesley Due, Dennis Shrable, James Dilday
  • Publication number: 20030094822
    Abstract: Apparatus for deploying decorative wiring upon elevated locations. The apparatus, packaged in kit form, utilizes a pole for installing wiring from a stable ground position. An installation nut screws unto the pole for manipulating accessory tools that deploy the clips and wiring. The nut comprises captivating slots to which a clip controller and wire tool are alternately coupled. A prong projecting from the controller forcibly engages the wiring clips. After clip installation, wires are installed with the wire tool's arms. The controller and wire tool both comprise flexible legs fitted within the nut slots that are snap-fitted by detents. Each clip comprises a baseplate, and an outwardly angled cradle for holding wiring. The gutter clip has a projecting latch terminating in a gutter-engaging barb. The adhesively-backed clip is press fitted to the target. A control region formed between the cradle and the baseplate of each clip receives the controller prong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hill, Wesley Due, Dennis Shrable, James Dilday, William Redifer, David S. Burleigh, Raymond Diehl, Hank Tiley, Harry R. Froit
  • Publication number: 20030094821
    Abstract: A system for hanging objects from conventional suspended ceilings comprises resilient clips snap-fitted to ceiling rails, an installation tool for controlling the clips, and an elongated pole that threadably couples to the tool, enabling clip manipulation. Each clip comprises an upper clasp, an integral, lower hook, and a midportion. Clasp jaws that yieldably deflect apart comprise opposed flanges that forcibly grip the ceiling rails. The installation tool comprises receptacles for temporarily receiving the clips, and an internal, threaded bore mated to the installation pole. Each receptacle comprises a pair of generally planar retaining arms that partially block a captivation slot. The midportions of the clips slidably fit within the installation tool captivation slots. When pushed towards the ceiling rails the jaws snap apart and surmount the horizontal rail portion. When released, the jaws retract, with their flanges firmly gripping the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hill, Hank Tiley, Wesley Due, Dennis Shrable, James Dilday
  • Patent number: 5332329
    Abstract: An anti-twist strain relief bushing for use with an exteriorly threaded tubular pipe for nondestructively restraining an electrical cord against axial or torsional displacements. The bushing comprises an interiorly threaded gland nut to be screwed onto the tubular pipe and an insert to be wedged into the pipe by the nut. The gland nut comprises a circular top defining a circular beveled opening, an integral flange spaced apart from the top parallel and concentric with the top, and an internally threaded, tubular body extending from the top to the flange defining a passageway concentric with the beveled opening and the flange. The body has a plurality of radially spaced apart raised ribs longitudinally disposed on its exterior. The underside of the top and the body define an integral, beveled shoulder disposed interiorly within the passageway. The insert comprises two separate, mirror image halves adapted to be folded together when the insert is forced into the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hill, Danny M. Nelson
  • Patent number: D484943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hill, William Redifer, David S. Burleigh, Raymond Diehl, David Lemoine, Donald Ezell
  • Patent number: D363212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Micro-Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hill
  • Patent number: D753885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Micro Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R Hill, William Redifer