Patents by Inventor C. Latham Gaines

C. Latham Gaines 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: 20240044414
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen C. GRANER
  • Patent number: 11808368
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER, INC.
    Inventors: C. Latham Gaines, Stephen C. Graner
  • Publication number: 20230145717
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen C. GRANER
  • Patent number: 11543042
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER, INC.
    Inventors: C. Latham Gaines, Stephen Graner
  • Publication number: 20210381611
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen GRANER
  • Publication number: 20150165333
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a toy. The toy includes a body, a rotating shaft, wheels, and an asymmetric counterweight. The rotating shaft extends through the body of the toy and the wheels are connected at either end of the rotating shaft. The asymmetric counterweight is located at the base of the body and causes the body to rest at an angle. When a player applies a force to the toy, the force causes the wheels of the toy to move while the counterweight helps to facilitate movement of the toy along a surface. In this regard, the toy provides amusement and entertainment to the player while also developing agility and strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: BOTI Global Limited (a HK limited liability company)
    Inventor: C. Latham Gaines