Patents Assigned to Marpole International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6250775
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode display systems are provided which have enhanced light intensity. The enhanced intensity is realized with first and second electrodes, a plurality of light-emitting diodes and a reflector. The first and second electrodes respectively form first and second sets of first and second fingers respectively wherein the first and second fingers are arranged in an interdigitated relationship. Each of the light-emitting diodes is coupled between a respective one of the first fingers and a respective one of the second fingers and the reflector is arranged and positioned to reflect light from the light-emitting diodes. A plurality of diodes are thus positioned so that the reflector combines their light into a beam of enhanced intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Marpole International, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 5785407
    Abstract: A container having a bottom, a side wall and a rim defining the container top can be filled with a fluid such as water. An enclosure holding an energy source (e.g. a battery) and a switch is disposed at the container bottom, preferably within the container. A resilient cover on the enclosure defines a movable contact of the switch and provides open and closed states with a fixed contact within the enclosure. A member disposed externally of the enclosure and defining an electrical circuit with the energy source and the switch becomes illuminated in accordance with the flexing of the cover. A button disposed at the container bottom extends through the container bottom in a sealed relationship with the container bottom and engages the resilient cover when the container is disposed with a particular force on a support surface or when the container on the support surface becomes at least partially filled with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Marpole International Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Ratcliffe, William Blake Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 5495136
    Abstract: A member made from a suitable material such as a polyurethane epoxy designed to withstand impact against an object is provided as a support member. For example, the member may constitute an insert disposed on or in the heel of a shoe but a wide variety of other applications are possible. A suitable member such as a piezoelectric member is disposed on the support member to produce a signal when the support member is impacted against the object or when the impact is released. This signal is amplified by an amplifier which is powered by a suitable source such as a battery. The amplified signals are introduced to a light emitting member such as a light emitting diode which provides an illuminated indication of the impact of the support member against the object. A member such as a resistance may be disposed in the circuit with the battery and the amplifier to limit the current flow through the amplifier during the times that the piezoelectric member is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Marpole International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Chiang, William R. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 5188447
    Abstract: A member made from a suitable material such as a polyurethane epoxy designed to withstand impact against an object is provided as a support member. For example, the member may constitute an insert disposed on or in the heel of a shoe but a wide variety of other applications are possible. A suitable member such as a piezoelectric member is disposed on the support member to produce a signal when the support member is impacted against the object or when the impact is released. This signal is amplified by an amplifier which is powered by a suitable source such as a battery. The amplified signals are introduced to a light emitting member such as a light emitting diode which provides an illuminated indication of the impact of the support member against the object. A member such as a resistance may be disposed in the circuit with the battery and the amplifier to limit the current flow through the amplifier during the times that the piezoelectric member is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Marpole International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Chiang, William R. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: D346171
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Marpole International Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ratcliffe