Patents by Inventor William Ralph

William Ralph 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: 20110271474
    Abstract: A toothbrush head having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface is described herein. The head has a first portion, a second portion, and an opening between the first portion and the second portion. The opening extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. A first plurality of contact elements are positioned on the first portion and the second portion. A second plurality of contact elements are positioned on the first portion and the second portion. Each of the second plurality of contact elements has an elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William Ralph Brown, JR., Phillip Maurice Braun, Thomas Aurele Christman, Thomas Craig Masterman, Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, Ronald Richard Duff, JR., Stephanie Brown
  • Publication number: 20110229625
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to modify a forage crop to exhibit enhanced animal feed nutrition. The forage crop is genetically modified to provide increased levels of phenolic compounds and polyphenol oxidases. The invention provides methods, compositions, plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, processes forage and commodity products with enhanced animal feed nutrition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: William Ralph Hiatt, Yun-Jeong Hong
  • Patent number: 8002772
    Abstract: A surgical tool for mounting a trackable target to a human bone, suitable for fixation to a human femur. The tool includes a removable bone clamp and a releasable coupling member which is integrated with the removable bone clamp. The releasable coupling member is arranged to mate with a compatible coupling member mounted on the trackable target to establish a predetermined spatial relationship between the bone clamp and trackable target. The releasable and compatible coupling members form a releasable connection which is mechanically constrained to re-engage only in a re-engaged position that accurately recaptures the predetermined spatial relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Kinamed, Inc.
    Inventors: Vineet Kumar Sarin, Robert A. Bruce, William Ralph Pratt, Clyde Ronald Pratt, Roger C. Carignan
  • Publication number: 20110088974
    Abstract: This invention is directed to providing an entertainment table from a readily accessible ladder, preferably an extension ladder, available in most households. In particular, the ladder is supported by a pair of saw-horse type supports at opposite ends of the ladder and various sized and shaped open-ended containers with extensions at their respective open ends are supported from and between pairs of spaced rungs of the ladder. The ladder may also be provided with an elongated planar support with one or more various sized and shaped openings therein and which planar support is supported by and along the rungs of the ladder or by and along the rails of the ladder. Also, the ladder may be provided with a plurality of support plates aligned side by side and supported by the opposing rails of the ladder with some of said support plates having a shaped opening therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: William Ralph Bond
  • Publication number: 20110081628
    Abstract: Oral care treatments are provided, including multi-component oral care compositions and methods for delivering such compositions to the oral cavity. Oral care devices and systems for implementing such oral care treatments are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Wayne Stewart Alden, IV, David Vivian Tyndall, Kenneth Travis Dodd, Marianne Zsiska, William Ralph Brown, JR., Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Thomas Aurele Christman, Jeremy Wayne Ducharme, Mark Edward Farrell, Paul Albert Sagel, David Andrew Jakubovic
  • Publication number: 20110061189
    Abstract: An oral care implement may include a base portion sized for insertion into an oral cavity and a plurality of flexible, elastomeric elements extending from the base portion, wherein each of the plurality of flexible, elastomeric elements comprises an edge, wherein at least one of the edges comprises a micro edge, and wherein the plurality of flexible, elastomeric elements comprises an element density of less than about 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Meadows, Jose Tadeo Vergara de Castro, Mark Edward Farrell, William Ralph Brown, JR., Stephenie Brown, Eric V. Borges, Long Sheng Yu
  • Publication number: 20110031394
    Abstract: The current invention includes methods and apparatuses for processing, that is, altering and imaging, a sample in a high pressure charged particle beam system. Embodiments of the invention include a cell in which the sample is positioned during high pressure charged particle beam processing. The cell reduces the amount of gas required for processing, thereby allowing rapid introduction, exhaustion, and switching between gases and between processing and imaging modes. Maintaining the processes gases within the cell protects the sample chamber and column from contact with the gases. In some embodiments, the temperature of the cell walls and the sample can be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: William Ralph Knowles, Rae Knowles, Milos Toth
  • Publication number: 20110009778
    Abstract: The invention includes both a method for acquiring the position of a patient's anterior pelvic plane, and a patient positioner or holder (apparatus) for securing a patient and acquiring the position of the patient's anterior pelvic plane. The method and apparatus facilitate definition of the anterior pelvic plane (APP) in the context of computer assisted hip surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: VINEET KUMAR SARIN, ROBERT A. BRUCE, WILLIAM RALPH PRATT, CLYDE RONALD PRATT
  • Publication number: 20100305571
    Abstract: A cable tensioning system includes a reaction frame which contains a sliding platform arranged to move linearly within the frame, and a clam-type cleat attached to the sliding platform. The cleat features one or more grooves, each of which comprises two arrays of opposing ridges that converge to form a V-shape groove adapted to receive a length of cable. The ridges of each groove are tilted relative to an axis perpendicular to the groove's longitudinal axis, such that the cable is progressively captured between the ridges of the opposing arrays as it settles into the crotch of the groove when moved in a first direction, and can be disengaged from the cleat by relaxing the axial force on the cable and moving it in the opposite direction. A linear actuator mechanism may be coupled to the sliding platform to move the platform with respect to the reaction frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: William Ralph Pratt, Robert Arthur Bruce
  • Patent number: 7791020
    Abstract: A novel detector for a charged particle beam system which includes multiple gas amplification stages. The stages are typically defined by conductors to which voltage are applied relative to the sample or to a previous stage. By creating cascades of secondary electrons in multiple stages, the gain can be increased without causing dielectric breakdown of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Marek Uncovsky, Milos Toth, William Ralph Knowles
  • Patent number: 7780681
    Abstract: The invention includes: a locating system; a computer, interfaced to the locating system and interpreting the positions of tracked objects in a generic computer model of a patient's hip geometry; a software module, executable on the computer, which defines the patient's pelvic plane without reference to previously obtained radiological data, by locating at least three pelvic landmarks; and a pelvic tracking marker, fixable to the pelvic bone and trackable by the locating system, to track in real time the orientation of the defined pelvic plane. Preferably, the system also includes a femoral tracking marker, securely attachable to a femur of the patient by a non-penetrating ligature and trackable by the locating system to detect changes in leg length and femoral offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Kinamed, Inc.
    Inventors: Vineet Kumar Sarin, Mark Edward Apgar, Robert A. Bruce, William Ralph Pratt, Clyde Ronald Pratt
  • Patent number: 7779546
    Abstract: A string line tool having a string line reel and a uniquely shaped string line block integral with the string line reel. The string line tool is especially adapted to work on various construction tasks or jobs that require the use of a pair of pegs or rods stuck in the ground and spaced from each other at a predetermined distance. The uniquely shaped string line block has a semi-cylindrical inner surface and the string line reel has a string with a metal ring attached to a free end of the string. A main advantage in using this string line tool is that it is self supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: William Ralph Bond
  • Patent number: 7718979
    Abstract: A particle-optical apparatus, such as an ESEMĀ®, for simultaneous observing a sample with particles and photons. A pressure limiting aperture (PLA) is placed in a diaphragm between the objective lens of the ESEMĀ® and the sample position. The distance between the sample position and the aperture is sufficiently small to allow a large collection angle of the photons through this aperture. A mirror is placed between the diaphragm and the objective lens. Due to the large collection angle for photons a large NA is achieved. The small distance between sample position and aperture also result in less scattering of electrons than occurs in ESEM's where a mirror is placed between aperture and sample position, as the electrons have to travel through only a limited length in a high pressure area. Embodiments describe combinations where e.g. an immersion lens is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: William Ralph Knowles
  • Publication number: 20100108881
    Abstract: A scanning transmission electron microscope operated with the sample in a high pressure environment. A preferred detector uses gas amplification by converting either scattered or unscattered transmitted electrons to secondary electrons for efficient gas amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: MILOS TOTH, Rae Knowles, William Ralph Knowles
  • Patent number: 7634306
    Abstract: The invention includes a method and system for intra-operative navigation of a joint replacement operation, without recourse to pre-operative imagery of pre-operative computerized simulations. Trackable markers and a locating system are employed to track first and second bones. A computer receives positional information regarding the trackable markers and calculates (predicts) at least one suggested combination of components of a modular implant system to produce a desired post-operative skeletal relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Kinamed, Inc.
    Inventors: Vineet Kumar Sarin, Robert A. Bruce, William Ralph Pratt, Clyde Ronald Pratt
  • Publication number: 20090269836
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of exposing a chemical, biological or biochemical sample to radiation. A sample in liquid or vapour phase is segmented and conveyed along a sample path. At least one generator or source for generating electromagnetic radiation is directed at the sample and at least one of reflected, emitted and transmitted radiation is measured at least one point along the sample path. In one embodiment, the sample is a luminescent culture produced by a continuous culture system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Norman Ellison, Colin Gibson, Norman Arthur Grant, Gerard Joseph Hyland, David Lloyd, John Thomas Magee, David Tallis Pooley, William Ralph Craig Stewart
  • Publication number: 20090242758
    Abstract: A novel detector for a charged particle beam system which includes multiple gas amplification stages. The stages are typically defined by conductors to which voltage are applied relative to the sample or to a previous stage. By creating cascades of secondary electrons in multiple stages, the gain can be increased without causing dielectric breakdown of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: MAREK UNCOVSKY, MILOS TOTH, WILLIAM RALPH KNOWLES
  • Patent number: 7588418
    Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a bushing including at least one retaining mechanism formed integrally therewith, coupling a shim to the bushing such that at least one retainer extending from the shim is received within the bushing retaining mechanism, and coupling the bushing and shim within the turbine engine to facilitate aligning a first engine component relative to a second engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander George Maier, William Ralph Maskiell
  • Publication number: 20090215110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous water monitoring system, including components thereof, and a method relating thereto for continuously monitoring, in real-time, a water supply in order to detect contaminants therein. The system employs the use of a live culture of bioluminescent bacteria and suitable light detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Colin Gibson, Gerald Melville Aubrey Jones, Francisco Gomez, John Thomas Magee, David Tallis Pooley, William Ralph Craig Stewart
  • Patent number: D612611
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William Ralph Brown, Jr., Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Thomas Aurele Christman