Charles M Fuller

US Patent:

6884002, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Sep 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/659345

Inventors:

Charles L. Fuller - Columbia MD, US

International Classification:

E02B007/08

US Classification:

405114, 522821

Abstract:

A reconfigurable barrier system () is provided. The system () includes a plurality of support units () spaced one from the other, with each support unit () having at least one engagement section () defining an elongate channel (). System () further includes at least one retention unit () that is substantially impervious to liquid, and is supported to extend between a pair of support units (). Each retention unit () is formed with a pair of opposed engagement portions () which slidably engage respective ones of the support unit channels (). Each retention unit () is also formed with a seal portion () that extends along a longitudinal edge of at least an intermediate portion () between the engagement portions (). A barrier section () is defined by each pair of support units () and the at least one retention unit () supported thereby.

US Patent:

7121544, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Sep 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/938666

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
William J. Wright - Killingworth CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Charles C Fuller - Shelton CT, US
John W. Sussmeier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 31/00

US Classification:

271209, 271182, 271184, 271 319, 271233, 271243, 271245, 4147907

Abstract:

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region. Preferably the guide deck and ramp are adjustable for different sized sheets.

US Patent:

7303358, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Mar 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/076962

Inventors:

Charles L. Fuller - Columbia MD, US

International Classification:

E02B 7/08
E04H 17/16

US Classification:

405114, 521693, 405116, 405285, 256 31

Abstract:

A reconfigurable barrier system () includes a plurality of support units () spaced one from the other, with each support unit () having at least one engagement section () defining an elongate channel (). System () further includes at least one retention unit () that is substantially impervious to liquid, and is supported to extend between a pair of support units (). Each retention unit () is formed with a pair of opposed engagement portions () which slidably engage respective ones of the support unit channels (). Each retention unit () is also formed with a seal portion () that extends along a longitudinal edge of at least an intermediate portion () between the engagement portions (). A barrier section () is defined by each pair of support units () and the at least one retention unit () supported thereby.

US Patent:

7451979, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Sep 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/525439

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
William J. Wright - Killingworth CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Charles C Fuller - Shelton CT, US
John W. Sussmeier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 31/00

US Classification:

271209, 271182, 271184, 271 319, 271233, 271243, 271245, 4147907

Abstract:

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region. Preferably the guide deck and ramp are adjustable for different sized sheets.

US Patent:

7976019, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Oct 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/255327

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
William J. Wright - Killington CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Charles C. Fuller - Shelton CT, US
John W. Sussmeier - Cold Spring NY, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 31/00

US Classification:

271209, 271182, 271184, 271 319, 271233, 271234, 271245, 4147907

Abstract:

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

US Patent:

8531699, Sep 10, 2013

Filed:

Oct 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/261567

Inventors:

John W. Sussmeier - Cold Spring NY, US
Boris Rozenfeld - New Milford CT, US
Charles C. Fuller - Shelton CT, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 3/12

US Classification:

358 115, 271 90, 271 91, 271226, 271282

Abstract:

An item transport system includes an input transport for receiving items along a first transport path, an angle transport for conveying the items along a second transport path disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, an alignment transport for conveying the items along a third transport path disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the first transport path, and an alignment surface for engaging the items while the items are conveyed in the alignment transport. The alignment transport may include an alignment nip comprising a driven element and an idler element for engaging opposing surfaces of the items, a manifold, a source providing pressurized gas to the manifold, and an orifice in the manifold proximate to the third transport path, wherein the idler element is disposed in the orifice.

US Patent:

20050017438, Jan 27, 2005

Filed:

Jun 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/611167

Inventors:

William Wright - Killingsworth CT, US
John Sussmeier - Cold Spring NY, US
John Masotta - Bethel CT, US
Charles Fuller - Shelton CT, US
David Auerbach - West Redding CT, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Incorporated - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H031/00

US Classification:

271207000

Abstract:

An accumulator device with a downward angled input transport. Downstream, an accumulating receptacle receives sheets. The accumulating receptacle has an upper guide and a lower guide forming a horizontal accumulating channel. Dump rollers act as a stop during sheet accumulation, and as a transport for removing completed accumulations from the sheet accumulating device. A rear portion of sheets buckle downward into a trap arrangement below the input rollers. Preferably, the upper guide of the accumulating channel comprises a continuously rotating belt to urge accumulating sheets against the dump rollers. Also, a positive air device may be used to assist in the buckling of the rear portion of the sheets. To assist in handling large collations, when a sheet arrives at the dump rollers the advance by a small predetermined incremental displacement slightly shingling the sheets to maintain positive control for later reliable discharge.

US Patent:

51796538, Jan 12, 1993

Filed:

Mar 29, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/677579

Inventors:

Charles E. Fuller - Auburn Hills MI

Assignee:

Deneb Robotics, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

G06F 314

US Classification:

395156

Abstract:

A menu system incorporates a display surface having sets of buttons displayed thereon. Some sets of buttons are operative to initiate various functions and other sets of buttons are operative to define which functions, from a monolithic set of functions, are made selectable at a given time. Accordingly, the system provides a generic menu system which can easily handle hundreds of menu options in a way which is easy to learn and master.