Patents by Inventor Mark S. Sassak

Mark S. Sassak 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: 6059632
    Abstract: A plastic hula hoop incorporating a decorative outer fabric and a coupling member for securing the free ends of the hula hoop together and the free ends of the decorative fabric within the interior area of each free end of the hula hoop. The coupling member forms a single piece plastic component having a pair of channels on opposite sides of the central portion. The channels accept the free ends of the fabric during assembly such that when the free ends of the plastic hoop portion are urged together, the free ends of the fabric are captured and held securely within the interior area of the plastic hoop portion of the hula hoop. The coupling member is especially well adapted to function with non-stretchable fabric such as nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 5984812
    Abstract: A mesh panel for throwable and/or grippable objects such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, baseball bats, etc. The mesh panel is formed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and includes a plurality of openings surrounded by a plurality of connecting portions. The outer surface of the mesh panel is such that each of the connecting portions includes a plurality of rib portions which further enhance the ability to grip the mesh panel. The inside surface of the mesh panel has an adhesive coating which bonds to an outer surface of the object to which the mesh panel is attached when heat is applied to the mesh panel. The heating of the mesh panel also causes a sticky, resin-like outer surface to be formed. The mesh panel enables various objects such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, baseball bats, etc. to be much more easily grasped, thrown and caught by individuals of all ages and sizes, and particularly by individuals such as small adults and children having relatively small hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 5851161
    Abstract: A mesh panel for throwable and/or grippable objects such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, baseball bats, etc. The mesh panel is formed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and includes a plurality of openings surrounded by a plurality of connecting portions. The outer surface of the mesh panel is such that each of the connecting portions includes a plurality of rib portions which further enhance the ability to grip the mesh panel. The inside surface of the mesh panel has an adhesive coating which bonds to an outer surface of the object to which the mesh panel is attached when heat is applied to the mesh panel. The heating of the mesh panel also causes a sticky, resin-like outer surface to be formed. The mesh panel enables various objects such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, baseball bats, etc. to be much more easily grasped, thrown and caught by individuals of all ages and sizes, and particularly by individuals such as small adults and children having relatively small hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 5362066
    Abstract: An aerial dart throwing game including a hand-held dart catcher, fixed and removable targets for temporarily holding, respectively, only a first and a second projectile thrown thereagainst, and connection arrangements to selectively detach the targets to the catcher structure. The projectile preferably includes a shuttlecock-like body having a leading end with a suction cup or a Velcro.RTM. portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 5240257
    Abstract: An aerial throwing game having at least one projectile and a two-piece selectively detachable target structure is provided. The projectile preferably has shuttle-cock like body with a suction cup extending from the leading end. The target structure includes a concave backing member and a detachable plate member having a relatively flat, smooth outer surface for receiving the projectile. An air gap is provided between the plate member and the backing member which provides a rebounding effect which facilitates adherence of the suction cup on the plates' outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 5116275
    Abstract: A soft, lightweight disc is capable of being used as a tossing toy or twirled around a finger. The disc is circular with an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and contains a hole centrally in its body. The disc can be constructed of soft buoyant material to enhance floating. For amusement, a doll, or a soda can, and the like could be secured in the central hole. The doll is spherical and fits securely inside the inner perimeter of the disc. An annular disc can be used to rigidify the lower surface of the tossing toy and enhance air flotation and lift. A pair of like annular discs can be used to form a tossing toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 5029872
    Abstract: A spaceship type toy and game is disclosed employing a tube and a generally spherical toy space capsule received by the tube. A fan assembly beneath the spacecraft provided air pressure which, when sufficiently great, causes the space capsule to translate within the tube, thus stimulating space travel over a limited distance. By providing an adjustable electrical power supply to the fan assembly the position of the capsule within the tube can be controlled by the user. A pair of side thrust fans on the spherical toy capsule provide airflow in a horizontal direction to cause rotation of the space capsule about the vertical axis of the tube. In addition, a simulated laser cannon is provided in the space capsule which emits a light beam. A space city screen containing targets partially surrounds the spaceship toy. In use, the user will control the height and rotation of the space capsule and will fire the laser cannon at the targets in the space city screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 4973284
    Abstract: A soft, lightweight disc and doll combination capable of being used as a tossing toy or twirled around your finger. The disc is circular with an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and contains a hole in its body. The doll is spherical and fits securely inside the inner perimeter of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 4573938
    Abstract: A spaceship type toy is disclosed employing a lower base assembly, a duct, and a generally spherical toy space capsule closely received by the tube. A fan assembly within the base provides air pressure to the lower portion of the duct which, when sufficiently great, causes the toy capsule to translate within the tube, thus simulating space travel over a limited distance. By providing an adjustable electrical power supply to the fan assembly, the position of the capsule within the tube can be controlled by the user. In accordance with another feature of this invention, within the capsule is a seat which supports a toy astronaut figure. This seat can be rotated between two positions, which causes an electrical switching action upon a visual display within the spacecraft. The toy astronaut figure chair is further movable to expose a battery compartment within the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: D285594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: D410051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak