David L Sprankle

US Patent:

7246719, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Dec 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/008100

Inventors:

David A. Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US

Assignee:

Automated Merchandising Systems Inc. - Kearneysville WV

International Classification:

B65H 31/20
B65H 1/00
G07F 11/16
G07F 11/68
B65G 59/00

US Classification:

221241, 221242, 221 92, 221312 R, 312 45, 312 42, 312 72

Abstract:

A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

US Patent:

7446302, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Jul 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/176232

Inventors:

Paul L. Mason - Inwood WV, US
David A. Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US

Assignee:

Automated Merchandising Systems, Inc. - Kearnerysville WV

International Classification:

G01V 8/10
G01V 8/20

US Classification:

2502221, 250221, 250223 R, 250223 B, 250224, 340555, 340556, 221 7, 221 9, 700231

Abstract:

A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.

US Patent:

7906911, Mar 15, 2011

Filed:

May 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/149447

Inventors:

Charles H. Wood - Rockville MD, US
Kevin Lascola - Columbia MD, US
David A. Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US
George Jarrard - Westminster MD, US

Assignee:

Fusion UV Systems, Inc. - Gaithersburg MD

International Classification:

H01J 65/04

US Classification:

315 39, 315248

Abstract:

A luminaire reflector comprises a first end reflector segment, a second end reflector segment, and a main reflector segment bonded together as a single-piece. The main reflector segment, the first end reflector segment, and the second end reflector segment form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The luminaire reflector is configured to be mated to at least one waveguide of a luminaire assembly. The luminaire reflector comprises at least one RF coupling slot to transmit microwave energy from the waveguide side to the microwave cavity side of the reflector assembly.

US Patent:

7977659, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

May 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/149446

Inventors:

Curt Harper - Frederick MD, US
George Jarrard - Westminster MD, US
Kevin Lascola - Columbia MD, US
Matthew Schroeder - Mt. Airy MD, US
David A. Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US
Charles H. Wood - Rockville MD, US

Assignee:

Fusion UV Systems, Inc. - Gaithersburg MD

International Classification:

G21G 4/00
H05B 41/16
A61N 5/06

US Classification:

250504R, 2504921, 2504931, 2504941

Abstract:

A luminaire assembly comprising at least one magnetron, a least one microwave-powered bulb, a luminaire reflector, at least one waveguide, and a radio-frequency screen assembly is provided. The radio-frequency screen assembly, the radio frequency gasket, and the luminaire reflector are configured to form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The at least one waveguide is configured to couple energy from the at least one magnetron to the microwave-powered bulb. The radio-frequency screen accommodates at least one latching structure. The at least one latching structure is configured to sufficiently compress or to release the radio-frequency screen and the luminaire assembly. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency screen assembly comprises a frame which comprises an opening defined by a plurality of edges. The frame comprises a planar portion and further comprises a ridge at one of the edges that extends in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion.

US Patent:

8003931, Aug 23, 2011

Filed:

Oct 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/289672

Inventors:

Paul L. Mason - Inwood WV, US
David A. Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US

Assignee:

Automated Mechandising Systems, Inc. - Kearneysville WV

International Classification:

H01J 40/14
G06M 7/00
G06F 11/00

US Classification:

2502221, 250221, 221 7

Abstract:

A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.

US Patent:

8507884, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Jan 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/344240

Inventors:

Pradyumna Kumar Swain - North Potomac MD, US
Darrin Leonhardt - Gaithersburg MD, US
David Allen Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US
Charles H. Wood - Rockville MD, US

Assignee:

Heraeus Noblelight Fusion UV Inc. - Gaithersburg MD

International Classification:

G21K 5/04
G21K 5/02

US Classification:

250504R, 2504931

Abstract:

A light source having a substantially elliptical cross-section for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. The light source has a pair of end sections and a central section of smaller diameter than the end sections. The end sections are each connected to the central section by a tapered section the diameter of each of which decreases from an end that mates with an end section toward an end that mates with the central section. Each of the end sections has a substantially elliptical cross-section. The central section and the tapered sections may have a substantially elliptical cross-section. The aspect ratio of the elliptical cross-section of the end sections and the central section of the light source is preferably about 2:1.

US Patent:

20070158358, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/710998

Inventors:

Paul Mason - Inwood WV, US
David Sprankle - Hagerstown MD, US

Assignee:

AUTOMATED MERCHANDISING SYSTEMS INC. - Kearneysville WV

International Classification:

B65H 31/20
G07F 11/16
B65G 59/00
B65H 1/00

US Classification:

221241000, 221242000, 221092000, 22131200R, 312045000, 312042000, 312072000

Abstract:

A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

US Patent:

46201750, Oct 28, 1986

Filed:

Oct 11, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/786776

Inventors:

Dennis K. Karr - Sykesville MD
David A. Sprankle - Hagerstown MD

Assignee:

North American Philips Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 3774

US Classification:

337343

Abstract:

A bistable bimetallic element is captured loosely between a housing cover on the one side, and an interior abutment and an end of a movable contact arm on the other side. A dimple in the housing cover provides a fulcrum for the bistable element, so as to permit a large throw of the compact arm and thus a high breakdown voltage rating.