Patents by Inventor Wesley J. Blanchard

Wesley J. Blanchard 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: 20220383714
    Abstract: Security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes at least one lock configured to protect one or more items from theft from the fixture, wherein the lock comprises a drive shaft configured to be moved between a latched position and an unlatched position, the fixture configured to be accessed in the unlatched position. The lock is configured to be moved between a locked state and an unlocked state for allowing the drive shaft to be moved between the latched position and the unlatched position when in the unlocked state, wherein the lock includes a cam sleeve having an internal cam surface configured to transition the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to movement of the cam sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ethan Evan Wood, Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20220381066
    Abstract: Security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes at least one lock configured to protect one or more items from theft from the fixture, wherein the lock comprises a plunger pin configured to be moved between a latched position and an unlatched position, and wherein the fixture is configured to be accessed in the unlatched position. The lock comprises a cam configured to be moved between a locked state and an unlocked state for allowing the plunger pin to be moved between the latched position and the unlatched position when in the unlocked state, wherein the cam is configured to be moved in response to receiving a wireless authorization signal to transition the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ethan Evan Wood, Wesley J. Blanchard, Matthew Kepner
  • Publication number: 20220381065
    Abstract: Security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a security system includes at least one lock configured to protect one or more items from theft from a fixture, and a strike plate configured to be mounted to the fixture. The lock comprises a plunger pin configured to be moved between a locked state when in engagement with the strike plate and an unlocked state when disengaged from the strike plate, and the lock comprises a cam configured to move the plunger pin between the locked state and the unlocked state. The lock is configured to be moved between a latched position and an unlatched position while the lock is in the unlocked state, the fixture configured to be accessed in the unlatched position, and the strike plate is configured to move relative to the lock to align the lock with the strike plate when the lock is moved from the unlatched position to the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Christopher Richard Helman
  • Publication number: 20220262181
    Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of locks configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of locks configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more mobile computing devices. Each of the plurality of locks is configured to establish communication with one or more of the mobile computing devices using a first communication protocol. Each of the plurality of locks is configured to subsequently communicate with one or more of the mobile computing devices using a second communication protocol, different than the first communication protocol, for identifying one or more of the plurality of locks to be unlocked. The one or more of the plurality of locks identified by the one or more mobile computing devices is configured to be unlocked in response to subsequently communicating with the one or more of the plurality of locks using the first communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Helman, Jeffrey A. Grant, Wesley J. Blanchard, Steven R. Bohon
  • Publication number: 20150028145
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tether assembly for securing an item of merchandise. In one example, the tether assembly includes a tether configured to be secured to an item of merchandise and a housing configured to receive the tether. The tether is configured to be extended and retracted relative to the housing. The tether assembly also includes a motor coupled to the tether that is configured to extend and/or retract the tether relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Joshua Abdollahzadeh, David N. Berglund, Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8261923
    Abstract: A collapsible container is provided that incorporates various features for improving the stability of the container and for reducing damage to the items carried by the container. The container may include a stabilizing hinge assembly including a stabilizing ledge and a stabilizing hook that securely engage the respective sidewalls to the base of the container to stiffen the container and distribute the loads more evenly. The sidewalls and base of the container may also define contact areas to support the carried items without bruising or damaging the items. Non-contact areas of the container that do not come into contact with the items may include openings that are aligned with other openings in the container and other adjacent containers to provide a consistent flow of air through a number of containers stacked beside one another. The sidewalls may also include various latching features to maintain the container in the expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20090261092
    Abstract: A collapsible container is provided that incorporates various features for improving the stability of the container and for reducing damage to the items carried by the container. The container may include a stabilizing hinge assembly including a stabilizing ledge and a stabilizing hook that securely engage the respective sidewalls to the base of the container to stiffen the container and distribute the loads more evenly. The sidewalls and base of the container may also define contact areas to support the carried items without bruising or damaging the items. Non-contact areas of the container that do not come into contact with the items may include openings that are aligned with other openings in the container and other adjacent containers to provide a consistent flow of air through a number of containers stacked beside one another. The sidewalls may also include various latching features to maintain the container in the expanded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 7264145
    Abstract: A bicycle rack is provided for connection to a vehicle, and especially a bus for the transport of a bicycle. The bicycle rack has a frame pivotally connected to a bracket which is connectable to a front of a bus. A pair of elongate cradles traverse the frame of the rack. Each elongate cradle is capable of receiving a bicycle. Each elongate cradle includes a rear wheel cradle and a front wheel cradle. The front wheel cradle has a spring operated wheel lock. The wheel lock includes a rotatable armature which overlays and holds the front tire of the bicycle in a locked position. The armature is actuated by the weight of the front wheel or by the manual activation of an adjacent handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Altair Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Lloyd, Wesley J. Blanchard, H. Dieter Featherman, Michael Baker
  • Patent number: 7185919
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a safety belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lap Belt Cinch, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Mather, Paul Casimer Arone, Wesley J. Blanchard, Kenneth Gordon Grant, Jr., Philip Garret Kosarek, Richard Lonetto, Tom Manley, Richard McCulloch, Timothy Smith, Steven Thompson, Michael T. Vecchio, John H. Young
  • Patent number: 6968986
    Abstract: A bicycle rack is provided for connection to a vehicle, and especially a bus for the transport of a bicycle. The bicycle rack has a frame pivotally connected to a bracket which is connectable to a front of a bus. A pair of elongate cradles traverse the frame of the rack. Each elongate cradle is capable of receiving a bicycle. Each elongate cradle includes a rear wheel cradle and a front wheel cradle. The front wheel cradle has a spring operated wheel lock. The wheel lock includes a rotatable armature which overlays and holds the front tire of the bicycle in a locked position. The armature is actuated by the weight of the front wheel or by the manual activation of an adjacent handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Altair Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Lloyd, Wesley J. Blanchard, H. Dieter Featherman, Michael Baker
  • Publication number: 20040195819
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a safety belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce A. Mather, Paul Casimer Arnone, Wesley J. Blanchard, Kenneth Gordon Grant, Philip Garret Kosarek, Richard Lonetto, Tom Manley, Richard McCulloch, Timothy Smith, Steven Thompson, Michael T. Vecchio, John H. Young
  • Patent number: D554821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Otto Industries of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Gregory A. Pugh
  • Patent number: D554824
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Otto Industries of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Gregory A. Pugh
  • Patent number: D562523
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Gregory A. Pugh
  • Patent number: D571070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Gregory A. Pugh
  • Patent number: D573322
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley J. Blanchard, Gregory A. Pugh
  • Patent number: D594661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: D658378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley J. Blanchard
  • Patent number: D668454
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Otto Industries North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley J. Blanchard