Patents by Inventor Todd D. Jones

Todd D. Jones 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: 11952034
    Abstract: A power driven, telescoping steering column having a tubular outer jacket, a tubular inner jacket, and a tubular intermediate jacket arranged for coaxial telescopic movement relative with one another via actuation of an actuator assembly includes, a mounting device operably coupled against relative axial movement with the tubular outer jacket, with the actuator assembly being coupled to the mounting device without being fixedly connected or attached to the tubular outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Randy W. Jones, James E. Rouleau, Todd M. King, Robert D. Maida
  • Patent number: 11567239
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35° C. and less than 70° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Patent number: 11397286
    Abstract: A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30° C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Bimal V. Thakkar, Duane D. Fansler, Anthony F. Schultz, Jonathan E. Janoski, David C. Lueneburg, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Robert F. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20210088695
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35° C. and less than 70° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Publication number: 20210072436
    Abstract: The disclosed structured retroreflective article includes a symbol aligned with raised regions of the structured retroreflective article through an orientation mark which aligns the symbol to the raised region. In one embodiment, the retroreflective article comprises a substrate comprising a background surface and a raised region, a retroreflective film comprising a first symbol and an orientation mark, wherein the retroreflective film is applied to the substrate and the orientation mark aligns the first symbol to the raised region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Todd D. JONES, Kui CHEN-HO
  • Patent number: 10884163
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35 C and less than 70 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10772712
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of using a hardenable dental article. The method can include providing the hardenable dental article; applying the hardenable dental article to a dental structure; customizing the shape of the hardenable dental article; and at least partially curing the hardenable dental article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Naimul Karim, Todd D. Jones, Gerald S. Deeb, Dwight W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10751147
    Abstract: A method of using hardenable dental articles. The method can include placing a film (30) onto a dental structure (40) to cover at least a portion of the dental structure (40); providing a hardenable dental article (10); and applying the hardenable dental article (10) to the dental structure (40) covered by the film (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Naimul Karim, Todd D. Jones, Dwight W. Jacobs, Steven Keck, Kristen Keller, Richard Yufeng Liu
  • Publication number: 20190302317
    Abstract: A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30° C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Bimal V. Thakkar, Duane D. Fansler, Anthony F. Schultz, Jonathan E. Janoski, David C. Lueneburg, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Robert F. Watkins
  • Patent number: 10406845
    Abstract: An article may include a biodata page defining a perimeter including an edge and a hinge layer attached to at least a portion of the biodata page. The hinge layer comprises a cross-linked polyurethane. In some examples, the hinge layer may include a cross-linked thermoset polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GEMALTO SA
    Inventors: Steven J. Rhyner, Christopher K. Haas, Todd D. Jones, Kui Chen-Ho, Krystal K. Hunt, Ryan E. Marx
  • Publication number: 20180203163
    Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35 C and less than 70 C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Bimal V. Thakkar, Jay M. Jennen, Robert D. Hamann, Ryan M. Braun, Robert F. Watkins, Joseph D. Rule, Todd D. Jones, Charlie C. Ho
  • Publication number: 20180071053
    Abstract: A method of using hardenable dental articles. The method can include placing a film (30) onto a dental structure (40) to cover at least a portion of the dental structure (40); providing a hardenable dental article (10); and applying the hardenable dental article (10) to the dental structure (40) covered by the film (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Naimul Karim, Todd D. Jones, Dwight W. Jacobs, Steven Keck, Kristen Keller, Richard Yufeng Liu
  • Publication number: 20170209245
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of using a hardenable dental article. The method can include providing the hardenable dental article; applying the hardenable dental article to a dental structure; customizing the shape of the hardenable dental article; and at least partially curing the hardenable dental article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Naimul Karim, Todd D. Jones, Gerald S. Deeb, Dwight W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9370404
    Abstract: Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles though use of spherical microparticles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant spherical microparticle/polymer coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, Todd D. Jones, Anupa N. Patel
  • Patent number: 9044292
    Abstract: Provided are methods of improving the wear resistance and aesthetic properties of dental articles though use of ceramics and microparticles, as well as dental articles having an abrasion resistant microparticle and ceramic coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, Todd D. Jones
  • Patent number: 8979536
    Abstract: A hardenable dental article including a base and at least one outer surface extending from the base, wherein at least the base and the at least one outer surface of the hardenable dental article includes a hardenable dental material; and a multi-layer polymeric film conformable release liner in contact with at least a portion of the at least one outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Sumita B. Mitra, Gerald S. Deeb, Yufeng Liu, Jie Yang, Naimul Karim, Dwight W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8906981
    Abstract: Curable dental compositions, dental articles, and methods of making or using such compositions or articles are described. In one embodiment, the curable dental restoration composition comprises a resin system comprising a free-radically polymerizable semi-crystalline resin having a molecular weight no greater than 3000 g/mole and at least 50 wt-% of nanocluster filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Naimul Karim, Todd D. Jones, Dwight W. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20140265295
    Abstract: An article may include a biodata page defining a perimeter including an edge and a hinge layer attached to at least a portion of the biodata page. The hinge layer comprises a cross-linked polyurethane. In some examples, the hinge layer may include a cross-linked thermoset polyurethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven J. Rhyner, Christopher K. Haas, Todd D. Jones, Kui Chen-Ho, Krystal K. Hunt, Ryan E. Marx
  • Publication number: 20140265301
    Abstract: An article may include a flexible hinge comprising a first optical feature. The article also may include a biodata page comprising a second optical feature. The flexible hinge may be attached to a surface of the biodata page, and the second optical feature is substantially aligned with the first optical feature. The combination of the first optical feature and the second optical feature provides an optical effect, which may be destroyed or damaged if the flexible hinge is moved relative to the biodata page, e.g., if the flexible hinge is separated from the biodata page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher K. Haas, Todd D. Jones, Kui Chen-Ho
  • Publication number: 20140242540
    Abstract: Methods of making an impression of dental tissue and dental articles (e.g. suitable for dental impression) are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a hardenable composition, comprising a resin system, a filler system, and an initiator system wherein the hardenable composition is a hardenable self-supporting material having sufficient malleability to be formed into a shape. The method further comprises placing said hardenable composition in contact with dental tissue such that an impression of at least a portion of the dental tissue is formed in the hardenable composition. The method further comprises curing the hardenable composition comprising the impression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Joachim W. Zech, Marc Peuker, Naimul Karim