Patrick G Mccutcheon, 56San Tan Valley, AZ

6903654, Jun 7, 2005

Oct 31, 2003

10/699457

Lawrence R. Hansen - Green Bay WI, US
Thomas Michael Leiterman - Green Bay WI, US
Larry Allen Schotz - Mequon WI, US
William G. Haen - Lodi WI, US
Alan P. Paal - New Franken WI, US
Abtin Spantman - West Bend WI, US
Patrick Gerald McCutcheon - Green Bay WI, US

Alwin Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Green Bay WI

G08B013/26

340562, 340565, 242563, 2425631, 2425641, 242570

The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency. The control apparatus receives the detected frequency change and generates a signal provided to actuate the dispenser to dispense the material. The dispenser control apparatus controls dispenser operation responsive to decreases in battery voltage which occur during the life cycle of the batteries and controls dispenser operation when the batteries near the end of such life cycle.

6977588, Dec 20, 2005

Jun 3, 2002

10/160863

Larry Allen Schotz - Mequon WI, US
William G. Haen - DePere WI, US
Alan P. Paal - New Franken WI, US
Abtin Spantman - West Bend WI, US
Thomas Michael Leiterman - Green Bay WI, US
Patrick Gerald McCutcheon - Green Bay WI, US

Alwin Manufacturing Co. - Green Bay WI

G08B013/26

340562, 3406861, 242570

The invention is directed to improved automatic dispenser apparatus for dispensing sheet material and the like without contact between a user and the dispenser. Proximity detection apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a user in a detection zone generated outside the dispenser. Control apparatus controls actuation of the dispenser in response to the detected user. Preferred forms of the proximity detector include a sensor and a signal detection circuit operatively connected to the sensor. The sensor includes conductors configured to have a capacitance and positioned such that the capacitance is changed by the presence of a user within the detection zone. The signal detection circuit detects the change in capacitance and is provided with an oscillator having a frequency which is affected by the sensor capacitance and a differential frequency discriminator which detects changes in the oscillator frequency. The control circuit receives the detected frequency change and generates a signal provided to actuate the dispenser to dispense the material.

6711857, Mar 30, 2004

Sep 21, 2000

09/666694

Kurt P. Wagnitz - Coleman WI
Patrick G. McCutcheon - Green Bay WI

Evenflo Company, Inc. - Vandalia OH

E05B 6506

49394, 49 50

An infant gate including a remotely activated latch mechanism. The gate includes a gate member adapted to be pivotally mounted to a wall portion and is movable to a closed position to prevent an infant from passing therethrough. The latch movable is between a locked position, which prevents pivotable movement of the gate, and an unlocked position, which allows pivotable movement of the gate. The gate also includes an actuator for switching the latch to the unlocked position. The actuator is preferably mounted away from the gate member in a position generally inaccessible to an infant whose access is limited by the infant gate.