Patents by Inventor Walker Ford

Walker Ford 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: 9515500
    Abstract: A portable energy storage and power supply system includes a first housing member coupled to a second housing member, the first housing member and the second housing member defining an internal space, a battery disposed within the internal space and configured to store electrical power, a plurality of connectors defining an input for charging the battery and an output for utilizing electrical power from the battery, and a gasket. The gasket includes a base portion coupling the first housing member with the second housing member and a bumper shaped to absorb shock loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GOAL ZERO LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman Krantz, Fred Lillywhite, Keyvan Vasefi, Walker Ford, Sterling Robison, Henry J. Howell, Jaremy Butler
  • Patent number: 9385351
    Abstract: A reconfigurable battery pack power system with interchangeable accessories has at least one modular, portable, rechargeable battery module having a first side, the first side having a first contour and a mounting port and a power output port, and at least one accessory module configured to receive power from the battery module. The accessory module has a second side with a second contour that mates with the first contour on the battery module, and has a power coupling connector and a fastener. The accessory module is interchangeably mateable with the battery module with the first and second contours nested together, and with the power output port engaged with the power coupling connector and with the fastener engaged with the mounting port, so that the battery module and the accessory module form a single integrated and substantially rigid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GOAL ZERO LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman Krantz, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Patent number: 9362766
    Abstract: A charging device includes a body having a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing, an interface pivotally coupled to the housing, the interface including a first conductor and a second conductor and configured to transmit power between the rechargeable energy storage device and a device connected to the interface, a first rigid post, a first pin, a first compressible element positioned to press the first pin against the first rigid post, a second rigid post, a second pin, and a second compressible element positioned to press the second pin against the second rigid post. The interface is configured to pivot about an axis defined by the first pin and the second pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GOAL ZERO LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman L. Krantz, Erik R. Workman, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Patent number: 9312706
    Abstract: Charging devices, modular adapters, and circuits are provided. One charging device including a body including a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing. The housing includes at least one first coupling portion. The charging device further includes a modular adapter including a second coupling portion configured to be mated to the first coupling portion of the housing. When mated to the housing, the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device. When the modular adapter is mated to the housing, the body and the modular adapter form a single integrated and substantially rigid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GOAL ZERO LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman Krantz, Erik R. Workman, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Publication number: 20160028260
    Abstract: A charging device includes a body having a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing, an interface pivotally coupled to the housing, the interface including a first conductor and a second conductor and configured to transmit power between the rechargeable energy storage device and a device connected to the interface, a first rigid post, a first pin, a first compressible element positioned to press the first pin against the first rigid post, a second rigid post, a second pin, and a second compressible element positioned to press the second pin against the second rigid post. The interface is configured to pivot about an axis defined by the first pin and the second pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman L. Krantz, Erik R. Workman, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Publication number: 20160013673
    Abstract: A portable energy storage and power supply system includes a first housing member coupled to a second housing member, the first housing member and the second housing member defining an internal space, a battery disposed within the internal space and configured to store electrical power, a plurality of connectors defining an input for charging the battery and an output for utilizing electrical power from the battery, and a gasket. The gasket includes a base portion coupling the first housing member with the second housing member and a bumper shaped to absorb shock loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman Krantz, Fred Lillywhite, Keyvan Vasefi, Walker Ford, Sterling Robison, Henry J. Howell, Jaremy Butler
  • Publication number: 20160013675
    Abstract: An energy storage and power supply system includes a body having a first end and an opposing second end, a battery pack disposed within the body, a first connector disposed at the first end of the body and electrically coupled to the battery pack, the first connector including a male connector configured to receive electrical power to charge the battery pack, a second connector disposed at the opposing second end of the body and electrically coupled to the battery pack, the second connector including a female connector configured to provide a power output from the battery pack, and a collar slidably coupled to the opposing second end of the body and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The collar is configured to engage with and thereby retain an accessory when selectively reoriented into the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: GOAL ZERO LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman Krantz, Henry J. Howell, Fred Lillywhite, Jaremy Butler, Walker Ford, Keyvan Vasefi, Sterling Robison, Michael Roner
  • Patent number: 9182088
    Abstract: A lantern lighting device includes a base portion defining a user interface, an upper portion coupled to the base portion and having an upper cover, an energy storage device disposed within at least one of the base portion and the upper cover, a first LED and a second LED coupled to the upper cover and configured to provide a first and a second light output, a divider coupled to the base portion and the upper cover, and a controller. The divider forms a partition between the first LED and the second LED that separates the first light output from the second light output. The controller selectively engages the first LED in a first operation mode to provide approximately 180 degrees of illumination or that engages both the first LED and the second LED in a second operation mode to provide approximately 360 degrees of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman L. Krantz, Henry J. Howell, Jaremy T. Butler, Walker Ford
  • Patent number: 9024570
    Abstract: A charging device is provided. The charging device includes an input interface configured to receive electrical power from a power source and charge a removable energy storage device using the electrical power from the power source. The power source may be a solar panel. The charging device may include multiple input interfaces configured to receive electrical power at different voltages. The charging device may include an output interface configured to provide electrical power to an electrical device connected to the output interface, and the circuit may be configured to provide electrical power to the output interface from at least one of the removable energy storage device and the input interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert Emmett Workman, Norm Krantz, Walker Ford, Joseph R. Atkin
  • Publication number: 20140321106
    Abstract: A lantern lighting device includes a base portion defining a user interface, an upper portion coupled to the base portion and having an upper cover, an energy storage device disposed within at least one of the base portion and the upper cover, a first LED and a second LED coupled to the upper cover and configured to provide a first and a second light output, a divider coupled to the base portion and the upper cover, and a controller. The divider forms a partition between the first LED and the second LED that separates the first light output from the second light output. The controller selectively engages the first LED in a first operation mode to provide approximately 180 degrees of illumination or that engages both the first LED and the second LED in a second operation mode to provide approximately 360 degrees of illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman L. Krantz, Henry J. Howell, Jaremy T. Butler, Walker Ford
  • Publication number: 20140239717
    Abstract: A freestanding solar-powered charging system includes a baseplate, a substantially vertical frame member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to and extending from the baseplate, one or more panels coupled to the second end of the vertical frame member, each of the panels having an upper surface with a photovoltaic cell, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cell, and one or more electrical connectors supported by the vertical frame member and electrically coupled to the energy storage device, the electrical connectors configured to engage any one or more of a plurality of consumer electronic devices for charging the consumer electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Mark Prommel, Marco Perry, Pil Ho Chung, Kevin O'Leary, Avi Bajpai, Todd Brunner, Keyvan Vasefi, Walker Ford, Robert Norman Gardner
  • Publication number: 20120281392
    Abstract: A charging device is provided. The charging device includes an input interface configured to receive electrical power from a power source and charge a removable energy storage device using the electrical power from the power source. The power source may be a solar panel. The charging device may include multiple input interfaces configured to receive electrical power at different voltages. The charging device may include an output interface configured to provide electrical power to an electrical device connected to the output interface, and the circuit may be configured to provide electrical power to the output interface from at least one of the removable energy storage device and the input interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Emmett Workman, Norm Krantz, Walker Ford, Joseph R. Atkin
  • Patent number: D670244
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Erik R. Workman, Norm Krantz, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Patent number: D693765
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Erik R. Workman, Norm Krantz, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Patent number: D697028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Erik R. Workman, Norm Krantz, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford
  • Patent number: D716726
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norm Krantz, Joseph R. Atkin, Walker Ford