Patents by Inventor Mark Swannie

Mark Swannie 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).

  • Publication number: 20080157948
    Abstract: A trailer hitch-mounted reverse sensing device for a vehicle for indicating to the driver an object behind the vehicle comprises a housing with an extension extending from the housing. The extension is configured to be removably received within a receiver of a towing hitch. The housing includes a front face having a central portion, and first and second end portions. The first and second portions are angled such that a line transverse to either the first or second end portions is directed toward the centerline of the vehicle between the front and rear of the vehicle. First and second sensors are disposed in respective first and second end portions and directed toward the rear of the vehicle along the transverse line. A control module is disposed within the housing and operably connected to the sensors to determine the distance of the object sensed by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Swannie
  • Patent number: 7341264
    Abstract: A trailer hitch-mounted reverse sensing device for a vehicle for indicating to the driver an object behind the vehicle comprises a housing with an extension extending from the housing. The extension is configured to be removably received within a receiver of a towing hitch. The housing includes a front face having a central portion, and first and second end portions. The first and second portions are angled such that a line transverse to either the first or second end portions is directed toward the centerline of the vehicle between the front and rear of the vehicle. First and second sensors are disposed in respective first and second end portions and directed toward the rear of the vehicle along the transverse line. A control module is disposed within the housing and operably connected to the sensors to determine the distance of the object sensed by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Swannie
  • Publication number: 20050104322
    Abstract: A trailer hitch-mounted reverse sensing device for a vehicle for indicating to the driver an object behind the vehicle comprises a housing with an extension extending from the housing. The extension is configured to be removably received within a receiver of a towing hitch. The housing includes a front face having a central portion, and first and second end portions. The first and second portions are angled such that a line transverse to either the first or second end portions is directed toward the centerline of the vehicle between the front and rear of the vehicle. First and second sensors are disposed in respective first and second end portions and directed toward the rear of the vehicle along the transverse line. A control module is disposed within the housing and operably connected to the sensors to determine the distance of the object sensed by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Swannie
  • Patent number: 6875336
    Abstract: An apparatus for prevention of corrosion in metal objects uses a capacitively coupled fastener or pad attached to a metal body being protected from corrosion. The metal body and the negative terminal of a source of DC voltage (battery) are grounded. The positive terminal of the source of DC voltage is connected to electronic circuitry that imparts pulses of low voltage DC through the capacitor to the fastener. These pulses of electrical current inhibit the oxidation of the metal object by providing a source of electrons to the oxidizing chemicals in contact with the metal. The electronic circuitry includes a reverse voltage protector to prevent the application of reverse source voltage. The circuitry also includes a power conditioner to supply a constant DC voltage to a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates pulses of DC signals that are amplified by a pulse amplifier and imparted to the conductive facing of the pad. For larger objects, a first and second cable are attached to a metal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Canadian Auto Preservation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Lewis, Mark Swannie
  • Publication number: 20020088720
    Abstract: An apparatus for prevention of corrosion in metal objects uses a capacitively coupled fastener or pad attached to a metal body being protected from corrosion. The metal body and the negative terminal of a source of DC voltage (battery) are grounded. The positive terminal of the source of DC voltage is connected to electronic circuitry that imparts pulses of low voltage DC through the capacitor to the fastener. These pulses of electrical current inhibit the oxidation of the metal object by providing a source of electrons to the oxidizing chemicals in contact with the metal. The electronic circuitry includes a reverse voltage protector to prevent the application of reverse source voltage. The circuitry also includes a power conditioner to supply a constant DC voltage to a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates pulses of DC signals that are amplified by a pulse amplifier and imparted to the conductive facing of the pad. For larger objects, a first and second cable are attached to a metal object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Red Swan, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Lewis, Mark Swannie