Patents by Inventor John R. Howman

John R. Howman 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).

  • Patent number: 7766293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Raffel Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Seidl, John R. Howman, David J. Alpert
  • Patent number: 7438356
    Abstract: A portable stadium seat having a base and a back for use on bleacher or hard plastic seating is disclosed which has heated seat and backrest members and a self-contained, rechargeable electrical power source for operating an electrical heating element contained in each of the seat and backrest members. The backrest member is hingedly mounted on the seat member, such that it may be folded flat onto the seat member for ease of portability and storage, and the portable heated stadium seat includes a carrying strap to enhance the portability of the portable heated stadium seat. An external recharger is used to charge the batteries prior to use, with the portable heated stadium seat thus being useable in locations where electrical power is not easily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Tranquilease, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Howman, Bruce E. Schmidt
  • Patent number: D584696
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tranquilease, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Howman, Kenneth G. Seidl