Patents by Inventor Robert Lee Churchill

Robert Lee Churchill 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: 8696396
    Abstract: A water sport training device is disclosed comprising, in one embodiment, a raft having a distal nose portion and a proximal rear portion. The rear portion provides a pair of substantially spaced apart lateral pontoons and a first web spanning the space therebetween. A relatively rigid platform is positionable within the raft, substantially adjacent the first web. A buoyant seat portion is positioned substantially on a back half of the device between the pontoons and adjacent the platform. A tow rope attachment means is secured to the raft for selectively towing the device over a body of water. The device is configured such that a back half of the device has a center buoyancy sufficient for providing a stable surface to support the weight of a person while floating on water both at standstill and as being pulled through the water as by a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Lee Churchill, Mary Louise Churchill
  • Patent number: 8215515
    Abstract: A floating beverage cooler apparatus comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a flotation bladder configured for removably receiving a beverage container. A protective cover is adapted to enclose and cover the flotation bladder and provides a bottom panel spanning an underside thereof. A storage flap is configured to be at least partially removably engaged substantially centrally with the bottom panel such that, when the apparatus is in use, a cavity is formed between the storage flap and bottom panel for providing added stability and resistance against lateral forces. When the apparatus is not being used, and the flotation bladder is deflated, the storage flap may be rotated about the protective cover and re-engaged with the bottom panel so that the storage flap lies over a top surface of the protective cover, thereby enclosing substantially all of the flotation bladder and protective cover, and optionally the beverage container, in a storage envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Lee Churchill
  • Patent number: 8025541
    Abstract: A water sport training device is disclosed comprising, in one embodiment, a raft having a distal nose portion and a proximal rear portion. A relatively rigid platform is positioned within the raft and configured to provide a stable surface for the person during use of the device. A tow rope attachment means is secured to the raft for selectively towing the device over a body of water, the attachment means comprising at least one tow rope attachment point located on the nose portion of the raft, below a nose portion mid-plane. The device is configured such that a back half of the device has a center buoyancy sufficient for providing a stable surface to support the weight of a person while floating on water both at standstill and as being pulled through the water as by a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Lee Churchill, Mary Louise Churchill
  • Publication number: 20100252560
    Abstract: A floating beverage cooler apparatus comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a flotation bladder configured for removably receiving a beverage container. A protective cover is adapted to enclose and cover the flotation bladder and provides a bottom panel spanning an underside thereof. A storage flap is configured to be at least partially removably engaged substantially centrally with the bottom panel such that, when the apparatus is in use, a cavity is formed between the storage flap and bottom panel for providing added stability and resistance against lateral forces. When the apparatus is not being used, and the flotation bladder is deflated, the storage flap may be rotated about the protective cover and re-engaged with the bottom panel so that the storage flap lies over a top surface of the protective cover, thereby enclosing substantially all of the flotation bladder and protective cover, and optionally the beverage container, in a storage envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Lee Churchill
  • Publication number: 20100105263
    Abstract: A water sport training device is disclosed comprising, in one embodiment, a raft having a distal nose portion and a proximal rear portion. A relatively rigid platform is positioned within the raft and configured to provide a stable surface for the person during use of the device. A tow rope attachment means is secured to the raft for selectively towing the device over a body of water, the attachment means comprising at least one tow rope attachment point located on the nose portion of the raft, below a nose portion mid-plane. The device is configured such that a back half of the device has a center buoyancy sufficient for providing a stable surface to support the weight of a person while floating on water both at standstill and as being pulled through the water as by a boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Mary Louise Churchill, Robert Lee Churchill
  • Patent number: 5713773
    Abstract: A mountable, towable water craft has a single-chambered, inflatable body. The inflatable body includes a full and an upper surface attached to the hull. The hull has a bulge for increasing low speed planing. The upper surface has an aft portion that forms two longitudinal and substantially parallel wells. A cowling is attached to the upper of surface of the inflatable body. The cowling includes reinforceably attached handles, and the inflatable body includes reinforceably attached rope connectors. The vehicle also includes an optional tear-resistant fabric shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: SwimWays Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Lee Churchill
  • Patent number: 5700174
    Abstract: The improved watersports board includes an outer shell that is filled with a rigid foam core. The outer shell includes a hull and a deck connected by a lip. The deck includes an integrated passenger contact area which in turn includes a strengthener for resisting bending, shear and fatigue stresses. The strengthener forms contours within the passenger contact area and allows the lip to be of less thickness than the average thickness of the passenger contact area over the hull. In addition to the above features, the device may also include optional flexible foam padding attached to the passenger contact area and an optional kneestrap attached to the shell to provide increased maneuverability and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Swimways Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lee Churchill, Douglas Geller
  • Patent number: D621897
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Lee Churchill, Mary Louise Churchill