Patents by Inventor Neil R. Bergstrom

Neil R. Bergstrom 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: 7690066
    Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner is provided of the type for random travel over submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool or the like to dislodge and collect debris. The pool cleaner includes an electric-powered traction drive system for rotatably driving cleaner wheels, and an electric-powered water management system including a water supply pump and related manifold unit for venturi-vacuuming and collection of settled debris within a porous filter bag. A directional control system including an on-board compass monitors turning movements of the pool cleaner during normal random travel operation, and functions to regulate the traction drive system in a manner to prevent, e.g., excess twisting of a conduit such as a power cable tethered to the pool cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard J. Stoltz, Kenneth A. Bloch, Alan L. Harmon, John D. Piburn, Carlo M. S. Santos, Neil R. Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 6435691
    Abstract: A spa lighting apparatus including a wall fitting which seats in an opening in a spa wall and threadably receives a light transmissive lens which includes respective plastic layers providing impact and chemical resistance. The lens is further designed to disperse light from a plurality of LED sources to give an appearance similar to that of a single incandescent source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen S. Macey, Neil R. Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 6349427
    Abstract: A spa construction wherein a spa shell is supported and reinforced by a matrix of interlocking horizontal and vertical members attached to a base grid. The matrix supports the spa shell through contact with only two regions of the spa—namely the bar top and footwell areas. The construction eliminates the necessity to encase the shell in structural foam and facilitates ready access to spa plumbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Neil R. Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 5249890
    Abstract: A buoyancy compensator includes a backpack assembly for holding a tank of compressed gas and an inflatable air cell which is removably attached to the backpack assembly. The backpack assembly includes a cummerbund and a shoulder harness so that the backpack assembly can be used to support a tank with or without the air cell. The cummerbund and shoulder harness support the entire weight of the tank, and the air cell is not required to support any of the load of the tank. The air cell is shaped to provide flotation in the lower back to buttocks area of the wearer and in the rib cage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Soniform, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil R. Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 5046894
    Abstract: A buoyancy compensator is provided with replaceable elements which enable a user to change the tank support system and the cummerbund. The buoyancy compensator includes a vest which can be removably attached to a hard backpack or a soft backpack. A cummerbund for encircling the waist of the user can be removably attached to either the hard backpack or the soft backpack. The cummerbund includes a flexible attaching strap which has one end secured to the cummerbund, and the other end of the attaching strap is removably secured to the cummerbund by hook and loop fasteners. The attaching strap is threaded through slots in the rigid backpack or through a strap on the soft backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Soniform, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil R. Bergstrom