Patents by Inventor W. Vernon Smith

W. Vernon Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20030154844
    Abstract: Vertical mouthpiece motion replaces the traditional chromatic harmonica's slide valve function and eliminates the valve as a source of air leakage, friction, and sticking. Because the player's mouth pushes a movable mouthpiece between an upper and a lower position with respect to the attached chromatic harmonica, the use of the player's hands is unnecessary. In the upper position, the row of air holes conducts the player's breath through an upper row of reed chambers. In the lower position, the same air holes conduct the player's breath through a lower row of reed chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: W. Vernon Smith
  • Patent number: 5626217
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a stack pusher apparatus which is used for pushing a workpiece such as a stack of printed circuit cards between rest locations. The pusher apparatus includes an articulated engagement unit which permits reasonable tolerances relative to the dimensions of the workpiece to be pushed or moved. In addition, a pneumatically driven control mechanism for moving the stack pusher apparatus is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Excellon Automation Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Watkinson, W. Vernon Smith
  • Patent number: 5479722
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a movable upright registration pin extending above a horizontal work surface for locating workpieces on the tooling plate of a computer controlled drilling machine. A straight edge member, disposed in a channel in the surface of the tooling plate, provides two vertical reference surfaces which are precisely located to define a line of position for the registration pin. The registration pin is maintained upright in a carrier that is slidably disposed in a channel in the straight edge member between the two reference surfaces. The rotation of a cam bar disposed adjacent the carrier applies force to the carrier which causes the registration pin to bear against the two vertical reference surfaces to precisely and securely locate the pin on the line of position. The registration pin may be pushed by the spindle of the drilling machine along the line of position and then locked in the registration position under the automatic control of the drilling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Excellon Automation Co.
    Inventors: W. Vernon Smith, Hendley W. Hall
  • Patent number: 4580771
    Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding mechanism adapted to separate a single sheet from a stack of sheets and transfer the single sheet via airjets to the exposure platen of an exposing apparatus. After airjet positioning and exposure, the single sheet is lifted from the platen and delivered to an exit port also via airjets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: W. Vernon Smith
  • Patent number: RE36608
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a movable upright registration pin extending above a horizontal work surface for locating workpieces on the tooling plate of a computer controlled drilling machine. A straight edge member, disposed in a channel in the surface of the tooling plate, provides two vertical reference surfaces which are precisely located to define a line of position for the registration pin. The registration pin is maintained upright in a carrier that is slidably disposed in a channel in the straight edge member between the two reference surfaces. The rotation of a cam bar disposed adjacent the carrier applies force to the carrier which causes the registration pin to bear against the two vertical reference surfaces to precisely and securely locate the pin on the line of position. The registration pin may be pushed by the spindle of the drilling machine along the line of position and then locked in the registration position under the automatic control of the drilling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Excellon Automation Co
    Inventors: W. Vernon Smith, Hendley W. Hall