Patents by Inventor W. Mills

W. Mills 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: 9815255
    Abstract: A protective article for a horse includes a protective member and a replaceable securing member. The protective member includes a body portion extending between a pair of opposing ends and dimensioned to be wrapped around and secured to a horse's body part, and further includes a first engagement member coupled to the body portion adjacent one end, and a second engagement member coupled to the body portion adjacent the other end. The replaceable securing member is adapted to be selectively engaged with the engagement members in a manner that urges the engagement members towards one another. The replaceable securing member includes a first securing assembly adapted to be manually reversibly secured to the first engagement member, and a second securing assembly adapted to be manually reversibly secured to the second engagement member, the first securing assembly securing to the first engagement member independently of the second securing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Brett W. Mills
  • Publication number: 20170256463
    Abstract: Monitoring a geometric parameter value for one or more features produced on a substrate during an etch process may involve: (a) measuring optical signals produced by optical energy interacting with features being etched on the substrate; (b) providing a subset of the measured optical signals, wherein the subset is defined by a range where optical signals were determined to correlate with target geometric parameter values for features; (c) applying the subset of optical signals to a model configured to predict the target geometric parameter values from the measured optical signals; (d) determining, from the model, a current value of the target geometric parameter of the features being etched; (e) comparing the current value of the target geometric parameter of the features being etched to an etch process endpoint value for the target geometric parameter; and (f) repeating (a)-(e) until the comparing in (e) indicates that the current value of the target geometric parameter of the features being etched has reach
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew D. Bailey, III, Mehmet Derya Tetiker, Duncan W. Mills
  • Patent number: 9711309
    Abstract: A relay includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, separable contacts electrically connected between the first and second terminals, an actuator coil comprising a first winding and a second winding, the first winding electrically connected between the third and fourth terminals, the second winding electrically connected between the third and fourth terminals, a processor, an output, a first voltage sensing circuit cooperating with the processor to determine a first voltage between the first and second terminals, and a second voltage sensing circuit cooperating with the processor to determine a second voltage between the third and fourth terminals. The processor determines that the separable contacts are closed when the first voltage does not exceed a first predetermined value and the second voltage exceeds a second predetermined value and responsively outputs a corresponding status to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: James M. McCormick, Patrick W. Mills, Steven C. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20160353743
    Abstract: Effective delivery of an insecticide to a growing plant can sometimes be problematic. Topical delivery of an insecticide at the post-emergence stage of growth can sometimes be ineffective. It can also be difficult to deliver an insecticide to the roots of a growing plant, such as to combat a subsurface insect infestation. Accordingly, soil blends having insecticidal activity can comprise a soil medium, a porous soil additive, and an insecticide dispersed within the soil medium. Such soil blends may be used in conjunction with cultivating a variety of plants. Methods for producing the soil blends can comprise providing a soil medium and a porous soil additive, and dispersing the porous soil additive and an insecticide within the soil medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew W. MILLS
  • Publication number: 20160324119
    Abstract: Equine boots with integrated, impact protection are disclosed. In one embodiment an equine leg boot includes a fabric body with an outer surface and an inner surface, the fabric body being configured to wrap around the lower leg of a horse. An impact-resistant protective member is disposed within the fabric body. A suspensory support strap is also provided, at least a portion of which is integral with the fabric body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Brett W. Mills
  • Patent number: 9487385
    Abstract: Animal head control devices, e.g., halters for horses, are disclosed. In one aspect, the disclosure features an animal head control device comprising: a body dimensioned to receive an animal's head, an adjustable member connected to the body and dimensioned to wrap around at least a portion of the animal's head behind its ears; and a releasable closure configured to secure a first end of the adjustable member to a portion of the body. In some implementations, the halters disclosed herein include a releasable closure that can be easily replaced when damaged or worn, thus extending the useful life of the halter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Brett W. Mills
  • Patent number: 9472367
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a ferromagnetic frame having first and opposite second portions, a ferromagnetic core disposed therebetween, a permanent magnet disposed on the first portion, a first tapered portion on the opposite second portion; a coil disposed about the core; and a ferromagnetic or magnetic armature including a first portion, an opposite second portion and a pivot portion pivotally disposed on the core between the portions of the armature. The armature opposite second portion has a complementary second tapered portion therein. In a first armature position, the armature first portion is magnetically attracted by the permanent magnet and the first and second tapered portions are moved apart with the coil de-energized. In a second armature position, the armature opposite second portion is magnetically attracted by the opposite second portion of the frame and the first tapered portion is moved into the second tapered portion with the coil energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LABINAL, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Richard G. Benshoff, Robert J. Innes
  • Patent number: 9362009
    Abstract: An isotope production target rod for a power generating nuclear reactor is provided. The isotope production target rod can include at least one rod central body including an outer shell that defines an internal cavity and a plurality of irradiation targets within the internal cavity. The irradiation targets can be positioned in a spatial arrangement utilizing a low nuclear cross-section separating medium to maintain the spatial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: William Earl Russell, II, Christopher J. Monetta, Russell Patrick Higgins, Vernon W. Mills, David Grey Smith, Carlton Wayne Clark, Michael S. DeFilippis
  • Patent number: 9295229
    Abstract: Horn wraps are disclosed for protecting the horns and head of a steer, e.g., during team roping. The horn wraps can be easily and safely applied to a steer, can be left on the steer for an extended period of time, and have a relatively long use life due to the replaceability and interchangeability of the parts of the horn wrap. In some implementations, the horn wraps are attached to the steer using an attachment system that includes replaceable closures having hook and loop fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Brett W. Mills
  • Patent number: 9294728
    Abstract: A system for transmitting information to a display includes one or more content sources, a network, a content processor, and a display device. The content sources are each capable of transmitting content to a content router in first formats according to packet-based communication protocol. The network selectively couples content sources to the content processor. The content processor requests and receives content from a selected content source. The content processor then modifies the first formats and generates a video stream based on the received content and transmits the video stream to the display device. The display device then displays the video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: IMAGINE COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
    Inventor: Brendon W. Mills
  • Patent number: 9197040
    Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Labinal, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Richard G. Benshoff
  • Publication number: 20150194794
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load buss array assembly includes placing a plurality of load conductors within a thermally conductive substrate, placing a portion of a load connector within the thermally conductive substrate, and electrically connecting the load conductors to the portion of the load connector within the thermally conductive substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, Richard G. Benshoff, James M. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20150187525
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a ferromagnetic frame having first and opposite second portions, a ferromagnetic core disposed therebetween, a permanent magnet disposed on the first portion, a first tapered portion on the opposite second portion; a coil disposed about the core; and a ferromagnetic or magnetic armature including a first portion, an opposite second portion and a pivot portion pivotally disposed on the core between the portions of the armature. The armature opposite second portion has a complementary second tapered portion therein. In a first armature position, the armature first portion is magnetically attracted by the permanent magnet and the first and second tapered portions are moved apart with the coil de-energized. In a second armature position, the armature opposite second portion is magnetically attracted by the opposite second portion of the frame and the first tapered portion is moved into the second tapered portion with the coil energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Richard G. Benshoff, Robert J. Innes
  • Publication number: 20150144073
    Abstract: Horn wraps are disclosed for protecting the horns and head of a steer, e.g., during team roping. The horn wraps can be easily and safely applied to a steer, can be left on the steer for an extended period of time, and have a relatively long use life due to the replaceability and interchangeability of the parts of the horn wrap. In some implementations, the horn wraps are attached to the steer using an attachment system that includes replaceable closures having hook and loop fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Brett W. Mills
  • Patent number: 8959157
    Abstract: A system and method of managing unsolicited email sent to an email system over a network. Email messages are received at an message at an inbound mail transfer agent. A determination is made as to whether the email message is suspected to be an unsolicited suspect message. One or more queries for additional information on one or more characteristics of the message is initiated. Determinations are made based on replies to the queries before issuing a message accepted for delivery indication to a sending server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Walter, Eliot C. Gillum, Krishna C. Vitaldevara, Ryan Charles Colvin, Mehrdad Bidgoli, Chad W. Mills, Joshua David Korb, Robert Lee McCann, Douglas John Hines, Malcolm Hollis Davis, Milenko Drinic
  • Publication number: 20150028877
    Abstract: A relay includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, separable contacts electrically connected between the first and second terminals, an actuator coil comprising a first winding and a second winding, the first winding electrically connected between the third and fourth terminals, the second winding electrically connected between the third and fourth terminals, a processor, an output, a first voltage sensing circuit cooperating with the processor to determine a first voltage between the first and second terminals, and a second voltage sensing circuit cooperating with the processor to determine a second voltage between the third and fourth terminals. The processor determines that the separable contacts are closed when the first voltage does not exceed a first predetermined value and the second voltage exceeds a second predetermined value and responsively outputs a corresponding status to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: James M. McCormick, Patrick W. Mills, Steven C. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20140360142
    Abstract: Animal control apparatuses are disclosed that allow for easy replacement of the releasable closure. In some cases the releasable closure includes a tri-fold design wherein elongated members with hook and loop fasteners fold over each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Brett W. Mills
  • Patent number: 8862699
    Abstract: A reputation based redirection service is usable to build URL wrappers for un-trusted and unknown URLs. Such URL wrappers can be used to protect Web users by, for example, redirecting traffic to interstitial Web pages. Additionally, reputation decisions can be made by the service to further protect users from malicious URLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ameya S. Bhatawdekar, Kristofer N. Iverson, Elliott J. Haber, John L. Scarrow, Chad W. Mills
  • Publication number: 20140239112
    Abstract: A compressible reel that includes two flanges, a flange connector, and two core wraps, where the flange connector and core wraps include scoring such that the compressible reel may be compressed substantially flat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Michael W. Mills
  • Publication number: 20140118889
    Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK W. MILLS, JAMES M. MCCORMICK, RICHARD G. BENSHOFF