Patents by Inventor Todd A. Porter
Todd A. Porter 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).
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Publication number: 20240125067Abstract: An auger housing as part of a snowthrower or part of a snowthrower implement for attachment with a vehicle. The auger housing may include a rear wall and spaced-apart first and second sidewalls connected to one another by the rear wall to define a front-facing collection opening. The rear wall may define a lower edge extending between the first and second sidewalls along a transverse direction. The auger housing may also include an oscillating scraper connected to the lower edge of the rear wall. The oscillating scraper extends downwardly from the lower edge toward a ground surface and is configured to move relative to the rear wall in a reciprocating motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Todd A. Porter, Paul F. Koltz, Brian A. Hanson, Chris A. Wadzinski
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Patent number: 11936421Abstract: An optically-monitored and/or optically-controlled electronic device is described. The device includes at least one of a semiconductor transistor or a semiconductor diode. An optical detector is configured to detect light emitted by the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation. A signal processor is configured to communicate with the optical detector to receive information regarding the light detected. The signal processor is further configured to provide information concerning at least one of an electrical current flowing in, a temperature of, or a condition of the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERISTY OF CALIFORNIA, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVYInventors: Keith Corzine, Todd Weatherford, Matthew Porter
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Patent number: 11931247Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for storing and/or shipping an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge are provided. A system comprises the IOL cartridge. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment comprising an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge further comprises a dial disposed adjacent to the compartment, wherein an inner surface of the dial is exposed to the compartment. The dial is configured to fold the IOL upon rotation of the dial. The IOL cartridge further comprises a plunger case in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case. The IOL cartridge is configured to removably attach to a handpiece.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Sudarshan B. Singh, Todd Taber, Douglas Brent Wensrich, Yinghui Wu, Trevor Haney, Andrew Check, Justin Benacquisto, Joe Marietta, Jonathan Penrod, Tim LaRoy, Bryce Porter
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Publication number: 20240068190Abstract: An electric snowthrower including: an auger and an impeller driven by one or more electric motors; one or more sensors; and an electronic controller coupled to each of the motor(s) and the sensor(s). The electronic controller is configured to monitor data provided by the sensor(s) and, in response to the sensor data, automatically adjust operation of the motor(s) or other feature of the snowthrower. Controls for operating such a snowthrower are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Todd A. Porter, Chris A. Wadzinski
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Patent number: 11911263Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for storing and/or shipping an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge are provided. A system comprises a packaging comprising a passage. The IOL cartridge is removably disposed within the passage. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment configured to receive an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge further comprises a dial configured to rotate upon withdrawal of the IOL cartridge from the passage, wherein an inner surface of the dial is exposed to the compartment. The dial is configured to fold the IOL and release the IOL cartridge from the packaging upon rotation of the dial.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Sudarshan B. Singh, Todd Taber, Yinghui Wu, Douglas Brent Wensrich, Trevor Haney, Andrew Check, Justin Benaquisto, Joe Marietta, Jonathan Penrod, Tim LaRoy, Bryce Porter
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Publication number: 20240049631Abstract: A grounds maintenance apparatus adapted for movement from a horizontal operating orientation to a vertical storage orientation. An operator handle of the apparatus may be moved from an operating position during operation, to a folded position for storage. A passive retainer may hold the handle in the folded position. Embodiments of such grounds maintenance apparatus further provide an auxiliary lift handle adapted for gripping by an operator when moving the apparatus between the horizontal operating orientation and the vertical storage orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Todd A. Porter, Brandon N. Imsdahl, Ryan M. Petersen
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Patent number: 11895945Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck that provides a cutting chamber for enclosing a rotary grass cutting blade. An assembly is provided for adding ambient air to the cutting chamber during a grass mowing operation to improve performance. The assembly comprises an air vent placed in a top wall of the cutting chamber. An external cover outside of the cutting chamber and above the top wall of the cutting chamber has an air permeable section located forwardly of the air vent to admit air into the cover to thereby feed that air to the air vent. An internal cover inside the cutting chamber and below the top wall of the cutting chamber receives the air passing inwardly through the air vent and discharges such air into the cutting chamber at a location that is spaced from the air vent.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, John O. Hurst, Robert L. Anderson, Todd A. Porter
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Patent number: 11849670Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle behind which a user walks when operating the mower. The mower is self-propelled by a variable speed traction drive. The handle includes a slidable handle grip for engaging and selecting a speed of the traction drive to control the ground speed of the mower. Forward ground speed is set by pushing the handle grip forwardly on the handle from a neutral position. Reverse ground speed if available is by pulling the handle grip rearwardly from its neutral position. The handle grip follows a curved path as it moves forwardly or rearwardly to flatten the path of travel of the handle grip from the travel that would have occurred absent the curved path.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Jeff Weber, Shawn S. Monitor, Jason Van Putten Holt
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Publication number: 20230240182Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
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Patent number: 11653594Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
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Publication number: 20230000013Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle behind which a use walks when operating the mower. The mower is self-propelled by a variable speed traction drive. The handle includes a slidable handle grip for engaging and selecting a speed of the traction drive to control the ground speed of the mower. Forward ground speed is set by pushing the handle grip forwardly on the handle from a neutral position. Reverse ground speed if available is by pulling the handle grip rearwardly from its neutral position. The handle grip follows a curved path as it moves forwardly or rearwardly to flatten the path of travel of the handle grip from the travel that would have occurred absent the curved path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Jeff Weber, Shawn S. Monitor, Jason Van Putten Holt
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Patent number: 11464165Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle behind which a use walks when operating the mower. The mower is self-propelled by a variable speed traction drive. The handle includes a slidable handle grip for engaging and selecting a speed of the traction drive to control the ground speed of the mower. Forward ground speed is set by pushing the handle grip forwardly on the handle from a neutral position. Reverse ground speed if available is by pulling the handle grip rearwardly from its neutral position. The handle grip follows a curved path as it moves forwardly or rearwardly to flatten the path of travel of the handle grip from the travel that would have occurred absent the curved path.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Jeff Weber, Shawn S. Monitor, Jason Van Putten Holt
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Publication number: 20220174870Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck that provides a cutting chamber for enclosing a rotary grass cutting blade. An assembly is provided for adding ambient air to the cutting chamber during a grass mowing operation to improve performance. The assembly comprises an air vent placed in a top wall of the cutting chamber. An external cover outside of the cutting chamber and above the top wall of the cutting chamber has an air permeable section located forwardly of the air vent to admit air into the cover to thereby feed that air to the air vent. An internal cover inside the cutting chamber and below the top wall of the cutting chamber receives the air passing inwardly through the air vent and discharges such air into the cutting chamber at a location that is spaced from the air vent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, John O. Hurst, Robert L. Anderson, Todd A. Porter
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Patent number: 11137730Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for environmental control management. In response to a controller, sensors and effectors throughout a physical site operate to maintain the temperature, humidity, and/or peak energy usage of the physical site within parameters selected for occupant comfort and economical operation while accommodating changing occupancy patterns.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Ideal Impact, Inc.Inventors: Wesley O. McDaniel, Todd A. Porter, Kimberly J. Hornback
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Publication number: 20210243949Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle behind which a use walks when operating the mower. The mower is self-propelled by a variable speed traction drive. The handle includes a slidable handle grip for engaging and selecting a speed of the traction drive to control the ground speed of the mower. Forward ground speed is set by pushing the handle grip forwardly on the handle from a neutral position. Reverse ground speed if available is by pulling the handle grip rearwardly from its neutral position. The handle grip follows a curved path as it moves forwardly or rearwardly to flatten the path of travel of the handle grip from the travel that would have occurred absent the curved path.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Jeff Weber, Shawn S. Monitor, Jason Van Putten Holt
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Publication number: 20210007276Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
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Patent number: 10834871Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
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Publication number: 20200150608Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for environmental control management. In response to a controller, sensors and effectors throughout a physical site operate to maintain the temperature, humidity, and/or peak energy usage of the physical site within parameters selected for occupant comfort and economical operation while accommodating changing occupancy patterns.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: Ideal Impact, Inc.Inventors: Wesley O. McDaniel, Todd A. Porter, Kimberly J. Hornback
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Patent number: 10539937Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for environmental control management. In response to a controller, sensors and effectors throughout a physical site operate to maintain the temperature, humidity, and/or peak energy usage of the physical site within parameters selected for occupant comfort and economical operation while accommodating changing occupancy patterns.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: IDEAL IMPACT, INC.Inventors: Wesley O. McDaniel, Todd A. Porter, Kimberly J. Hornback
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Patent number: 10306831Abstract: A walk power mower has a traction drive system that includes a front transmission powering a pair of front wheels and a rear transmission powering a pair of rear wheels. A first one of the transmissions provides forward motion of the mower when it is active and a second one of the transmissions provides rearward motion of the mower when it is active. A slidable handle grip on the handle having a cross bar long enough to be gripped by both hands of the user activates the first one of the transmission when it is slid downwardly on a handle out of a neutral position thereof. The slidable handle grip activates the second one of the transmissions when it is slid upwardly on the handle out of the neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Todd A. Porter, Chadwick A. Shaffer, Chris A. Wadzinski, Jackie R. Gust