Patents by Inventor Mark L. Kregel

Mark L. Kregel 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: 7032584
    Abstract: A spiral mass launcher for moving a mass including a spindle support assembly; connected to a swing-arm pair module. The spindle support assembly rotates on a motor shaft, allowing the swing-arm pair module to swing on a parallel bearing shaft. A spiral track passes through a radial opening in the bearing shaft. Thus, the swinging motion of the swing-arm pair modules allows the spiral track to move in a gyrating motion. The spiral track has a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to receive a mass or projectile and a second end adapted to launch the mass. A mass can be fed into the spiral mass launcher by either a feed mechanism that feeds the mass into the first end of the spiral. Such feed mechanisms include a feed mechanism that linearly oscillates and picks up the mass at a first amplitude of oscillation and feeds the mass into the first end of the spiral track at a second amplitude of oscillation; or a feed mechanism that includes a continuous tube and “crank arm” feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Launch Corporation
    Inventors: Derek A. Tidman, Mark L. Kregel
  • Publication number: 20040221838
    Abstract: A spiral mass launcher for moving a mass including a spindle support assembly; connected to a swing-arm pair module. The spindle support assembly rotates on a motor shaft, allowing the swing-arm pair module to swing on a parallel bearing shaft. A spiral track passes through a radial opening in the bearing shaft. Thus, the swinging motion of the swing-arm pair modules allows the spiral track to move in a gyrating motion. The spiral track has a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to receive a mass or projectile and a second end adapted to launch the mass. A mass can be fed into the spiral mass launcher by either a feed mechanism that feeds the mass into the first end of the spiral. Such feed mechanisms include a feed mechanism that linearly oscillates and picks up the mass at a first amplitude of oscillation and feeds the mass into the first end of the spiral track at a second amplitude of oscillation; or a feed mechanism that includes a continuous tube and “crank arm” feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Advanced Launch Corporation
    Inventors: Derek A. Tidman, Mark L. Kregel