Patents by Inventor William J. Foster

William J. Foster 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: 11951067
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dual-receptacle carrier that is generally configured for attachment to a rollator or walker and that is configured to retain either a beverage or a mobile device, such as a cellular telephone. The device comprises a body, a base, and first and second opposing retention arm portions that are configured as a receptacle for a beverage. The first and second opposing retention arm portions and base include recesses that define a receptacle for an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Medline Industries, LP
    Inventors: Todd Brockway, Emily Berman, Caren Wax, Tambra Martin, William Elliott Brooks, Robert W. Sheldon, Gregory J. Foster
  • Patent number: 9050171
    Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed, comprising a tubular member with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the tubular member provides an elongated section having a substantially constant outside diameter of no more than 23-gauge (about 0.57 mm). The tubular member is in energy communication with an emulsification energy source disposed to deliver emulsification energy at the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member may also be in suction communication with a suction source disposed to deliver suction at the distal end of the tubular member. The medical instrument may be used in a method to remove lens fragments from the eye, through incisions in the eye that are small enough not to require suturing after the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: William J. Foster
  • Publication number: 20120083773
    Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed, comprising a tubular member with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the tubular member provides an elongated section having a substantially constant outside diameter of no more than 23-gauge (about 0.57 mm). The tubular member is in energy communication with an emulsification energy source disposed to deliver emulsification energy at the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member may also be in suction communication with a suction source disposed to deliver suction at the distal end of the tubular member. The medical instrument may be used in a method to remove lens fragments from the eye, through incisions in the eye that are small enough not to require suturing after the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: WILLIAM J. FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20120083793
    Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed, comprising a tubular member with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the tubular member provides an elongated section having a substantially constant outside diameter of no more than 23-gauge (about 0.57 mm). The tubular member is in energy communication with an emulsification energy source disposed to deliver emulsification energy at the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member may also be in suction communication with a suction source disposed to deliver suction at the distal end of the tubular member. The medical instrument may be used in a method to remove lens fragments from the eye, through incisions in the eye that are small enough not to require suturing after the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: William J. Foster
  • Patent number: 7758423
    Abstract: A group bonus round game may be played on a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming units connected together to form a networked gaming system. Each of the gaming units having a light device located thereon, wherein the light device is adapted to display a bonus indicia. The group bonus game includes the generation of a display of bonus indicia on a first subset of the gaming units, and subsequently a second subset of the gaming units, wherein the display of the bonus indicia on the different subsets of gaming units creates an illusion that the bonus indicia are spinning, or revolving through the gaming system before stopping at a specific gaming unit. The group bonus round may additionally utilize music and/or bonus stages to create other bonus round gaming themes, for example a “musical chairs” type group bonus round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William J. Foster, Kirk Tedsen
  • Publication number: 20040204226
    Abstract: A group bonus round game may be played on a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming units connected together to form a networked gaming system. Each of the gaming units having a light device located thereon, wherein the light device is adapted to display a bonus indicia. The group bonus game includes the generation of a display of bonus indicia on a first subset of the gaming units, and subsequently a second subset of the gaming units, wherein the display of the bonus indicia on the different subsets of gaming units creates an illusion that the bonus indicia are spinning, or revolving through the gaming system before stopping at a specific gaming unit. A value payout may be awarded the gaming unit upon which the bonus indicia rests, and may be declared the group bonus round winner. The group bonus round may additionally utilize music and/or bonus stages to create other bonus round gaming themes, for example a “musical chairs” type group bonus round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: William J. Foster, Kirk Tedsen
  • Patent number: 5806384
    Abstract: An emergency shut-off wrench for a fluid gate-valve includes a handle having shank and head portions; a plug for engaging the head portion of the handle, the plug having an engagement surface for coupling rotational movement to a gate of the valve, the gate being rotatable approximately 90.degree. between open and closed positions; and a stop rigidly fixable in projecting relation to the plug for preventing further rotation of the gate beyond a predetermined position thereof when the plug is engaging the gate. The plug is rotatably connected to the head portion and respective dogs make abutting engagement between the plug and the head portion at a predetermined angular orientation with the handle for transmitting torque between the handle and the plug in a magnitude sufficient for rotation of the gate in one direction only. The plug can be threadingly engagable with the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: William J. Foster
  • Patent number: 4500382
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of an article such as a corneal implant glide, formed of two resin film elements, each of which must be precision cut to a predetermined size and configuration with smooth, burr-free edges and with a narrow welded band of precisely controlled characteristics joining the two film elements along mating edges, comprises the steps of aligning two resin films in overlapping relation and constraining the films to maintain them in surface-to-surface contact with an exposed area at least as large as that required for the finished article. A laser beam of extremely small dot-like cross-section, preferably about 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter) diameter, is directed to impinge upon the exposed area of the films and the beam is then moved, relative to the exposed film area, along a precisely controlled path corresponding to the outline of the article, including the aforementioned mating edges, to cut the two films to the precise required shape and simultaneously weld the two films together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Transilwrap Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Foster
  • Patent number: RE39059
    Abstract: A portable hand-held remote control unit device is disclosed which may be utilized for selecting designated functions in a plurality of remotely controllable multimedia processing units. Multiple user selectable screen objects may be created from a general purpose computer and transferred to the remote control unit. The screen objects include screen layout and descriptions of soft keys to be displayed on a graphic display of the remote control unit, as well as commands associated with the screen object, the soft keys and programmable keys on the remote control unit. The user may select any of the loaded screen objects for controlling various multimedia processing units, for performing complex functions of commands to various multimedia processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Foster