Patents by Inventor Lawrence J. Graf

Lawrence J. Graf 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: 8109221
    Abstract: The catamaran hull includes a pair of substantially parallel separate hulls, connected by an intermediate hull portion, wherein only one of the separate hulls includes a propulsion assembly. Each hull is asymmetric, but differently configured, such that the off-center thrust created by the propulsion assembly in the one hull is substantially offset by the turning force created by the difference in the two asymmetric hull shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aspen Power Catamarans LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J Graf, David J. Pugh
  • Publication number: 20100043688
    Abstract: The catamaran hull includes a pair of substantially parallel separate hulls, connected by an intermediate hull portion, wherein only one of the separate hulls includes a propulsion assembly. Each hull is asymmetric, but differently configured, such that the off-center thrust created by the propulsion assembly in the one hull is substantially offset by the turning force created by the difference in the two asymmetric hull shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: ASPEN POWER CATAMARANS LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Graf, David J. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5318490
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus having foot beams (38a, 40a) rotatably mounted to an upright post member (140a) of a frame to rotate about a first axis (322). Hand levers (132a, 134a) are secured to pivot members (152a) pivotally mounted to the upright post member to rotate about a second axis (328). The hand levers are coupled by resilient linkage members (380) including elastomeric joints (382) to the foot levers so that as each foot lever rotates about the first axis, the corresponding hand lever normally rotates a related distance about the second axis. The linkage members are resiliently deformable to allow discontinuity between the rotation of the foot levers and hand levers when an exerciser exerts a differential force on the hand levers relative to the corresponding foot levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: William C. Henderson, Cole J. Dalton, Lawrence J. Graf
  • Patent number: 5254059
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus having foot beams (38'",40'") rotatably mounted to an upright post member (140'") of a frame (138'"). Mounting blocks (242) are rotatably mounted to the upright post member above the foot beams to rotate about a first axis (248), and are linked by tie rods (136'") to the foot beams. Hand levers (132'" and 134'") are mounted to the mounting blocks by elastomeric torsion springs (256). Downward rotation of a foot beam results in rotation of the corresponding linked mounting block and hand lever about the first axis. Differential force exerted on the hand lever relative to the foot beam results in rotation of the hand lever about a second axis (284) and storage of energy by the elastomeric torsion spring. The hand lever is urged back to its nominal position by release of the stored energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian A. Arthur, Paul T. Dunham, Lawrence J. Graf, William C. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5188049
    Abstract: A powered catamaran boat having displacement hulls (10) that provide stable boat performance. The two hulls (10) are joined by a deck structure (12), forming a tunnel (16) between the two hulls. Each of the hulls is symmetric and has a half entry angle (.theta.) less than 10.degree. at and below the water line, and a length-to-maximum beam ratio at the water line from approximately 9.88:1.0 to 10.92:1.0. The rear portion of each keel extends rearwardly and upwardly from the horizonal at an angle between approximately .80.degree. and 1.4.degree.. The ratio between the minimum vertical distance from the water line to the deck structure and the minimum width of the tunnel (16) is between 1.0:2.0 and 1.0:2.5. Additionally, each hull (10) includes a chine (50) that extends laterally outwardly from the hull a distance from approximately 3% to 6% of the maximum beam (24) of the hull at the water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Graf
  • Patent number: 5129872
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus having foot beams (38a, 40a) rotatably mounted to an upright post member (140a) of a frame to rotate about a first axis (322). Hand levers (132a, 134a) are secured to pivot members (152a) pivotally mounted to the upright post member to rotate about a second axis (328). The hand levers are coupled by resilient linkage members (340) to the foot levers so that as each foot lever rotates about the first axis, the corresponding hand lever normally rotates a related distance about the second axis. The linkage members are resiliently deformable to allow discontinuity between the rotation of the foot levers and hand levers when an exerciser exerts a differential force on the hand levers relative to the corresponding foot levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Cole J. Dalton, Lawrence J. Graf, William W. Potts
  • Patent number: D328625
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian A. Arthur, David J. Littrell, Lawrence J. Graf, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: D331562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Graf