Patents by Inventor Marion L. Thompson

Marion L. Thompson 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: 5301999
    Abstract: A mounting bracket is rigidly mounted to the side of a child's car seat.An angle bracket has a first flange rotatably engaged with the mounting bracket and has a second flange which extends at approximately 90 degrees to the first flange. A first arm is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket second flange. A second arm is rotatably mounted to the first arm and a third arm is rotatably mounted to the second arm, thus forming an extended linkage which supports a lightweight sunshield above and to one side of the car seat to shield a child using the car seat from the rays of the sun. The sunshield is constructed of a tubular support frame which is constrained within a fire resistant cloth cover. The tubular support frame is elastically constrained within a pocket formed by the two sides of the cover. The cover may have pictures printed thereon to entertain the child being shielded from the sun's rays. The ends of the tubular support pass through holes in opposed sides of a shade support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventors: Marion L. Thompson, Irene L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4880083
    Abstract: A deceleration method and apparatus for stopping a racing vehicle a predetermined distance beyond a race course finish line after a speed run from a standing start. A tether system having an elongated free payout portion is attached to the vehicle at the start line. The tether payout portion is arranged behind the vehicle for easy payout. It is relatively light so as not to impede travel of the vehicle over the race course. The length of the payout portion approximates the length of the course so that all slack is taken out of it by the time the vehicle reaches the finish line. Energy absorbing apparatus is attached to the tether system to place the payout portion in tension when it is payed out. In one embodiment the energy absorbing apparatus includes a manually operated friction braking system. In another embodiment it includes a hydraulic braking system employing rotor vanes rotating past stators in a compartment containing a liquid such as water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
    Inventor: Marion L. Thompson, deceased
  • Patent number: 4681302
    Abstract: An energy absorbing barrier for dissipating kinetic energy upon impact by a moving vehicle. The barrier comprises walls defining a container closed except for a fill opening to admit water. Various configurations of side walls are disclosed. The side walls are resiliently deformable to return to their original shape after being struck, the resilience of the walls and their deformability tending to form a capture region adjacent the vehicle tire which tends to slow the tire and prevent it from climbing and vaulting the barrier. In one embodiment the walls include longitudinally extending, vertically spaced apart traction spoiler channels to reduce the area of contact between the barrier and the tires of a vehicle. Other embodiments include fittings for end coupling of a barrier to like barriers, the fittings permitting adjacent barriers to be located at different heights to accommodate gradual changes in terrain elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Marion L. Thompson