Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Austin

Ronald J. Austin 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: 6712378
    Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment device is provided having a hitch alignment guide and a ball target mast. The hitch alignment guide has a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, disc shaped hitch base. The ball target mast is composed of a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, ring shaped ball base. The masts are telescoping shafts having linearly spaced alignment indicia are provided in a linearly spaced manner along the upper portion of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald J. Austin
  • Patent number: 6656045
    Abstract: A method and system (10) for storing preselected Bingo numbers which allows a player to play the same sets of Bingo numbers (56) in multiple sessions of Bingo. The player preselects Bingo numbers to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The numbers are stored in the memory (16) of the computer (12). The player selects which preselected Bingo numbers to play for a specific session of Bingo. A ticket is provided having the selected sets of Bingo numbers with a control number (58) for each selected set of numbers and a validation number (60) for the ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Melange Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Wei, Jeffery A. Dettloff, Ronald J. Austin, Richard G. Bean, Harrold J. Rappold, James L. Green
  • Patent number: 6581547
    Abstract: A pet collar with an integrated retractable leash includes a recoil mechanism having a coiled spring coupled to an end of the leash, thereby generating the retractability of the leash. At an opposing end to the recoil mechanism is a removable handle for securely maintaining control of the animal wearing the pet collar and retractable leash. The pet collar is adjustable to accommodate a variety of neck sizes of an animal. The pet collar also includes a ring to accommodate a stand-alone leash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald J. Austin
  • Publication number: 20030106501
    Abstract: A pet collar with retractable leash allowing for continuous easy access of the leash handle to the pet owner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald J. Austin
  • Publication number: 20030003986
    Abstract: A method and system (10) for managing a Bingo game while allowing a repeat player to easily play the same sets of numbers (56) in multiple sessions of Bingo. The system allows the hall to track the sale of Bingo tickets (52), easily verify the Bingo winners and keep track of repeat players. In the method of using the system, the player preselects numbers which he wishes to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The hall stores the numbers in the memory (16) of the computer (12). On the date of the Bingo game, the player chooses which preselected Bingo numbers to play. The player is provided with a ticket having the preselected numbers with a control number (58) for each set of numbers and a validation number (60) for the ticket. The player is also provided with a receipt indicating the number of preselected sets of numbers bought by the player and the validation number for the ticket. The Bingo game is then played with the called Bingo numbers being entered into the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Melange Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Wei, Jeffery A. Dettloff, Ronald J. Austin, Richard G. Bean, Harrold J. Rappold, James L. Green
  • Patent number: 6398646
    Abstract: A method and system for managing a Bingo game while allowing a repeat player to play the same sets of numbers in multiple sessions of Bingo. The player preselects numbers which he wishes to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The hall stores the numbers in the memory of the computer. On the date of the Bingo game, the player chooses which preselected Bingo numbers to play. The player is provided with a ticket having the preselected numbers with a control number for each set of numbers and a validation number for the ticket. The player is also provided with a receipt indicating the number of preselected sets of numbers bought by the player and the validation number for the ticket. When a player calls Bingo, the hall enters the control number of the potentially winning set of numbers into the computer to verify the set of numbers is a winner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Melange Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Wei, Jeffery A. Dettloff, Ronald J. Austin, Richard G. Bean, Harrold J. Rappold, James L. Green
  • Patent number: 6079711
    Abstract: A combination Bingo and Poker game is described. The game uses a game board (10) containing a matrix of Bingo places (16). The Bingo places each have a Bingo number (26) and playing card indicia (28). The game is played similarly to standard Bingo with the players marking the places on the game board as the numbers are selected by the host entity (12A). A player has a winning BINGO when the marked places form a winning Bingo configuration. The playing card indicia of the places of the winning Bingo configuration are then used to form a potentially winning Poker hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Melange Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Wei, Jeffery A. Dettloff, Ronald J. Austin, Richard G. Bean, Harrold J. Rappold, James L. Green
  • Patent number: 5383475
    Abstract: This belt has a generally flexible portion in which several compressible wells are formed. The flexible portion is located over the back of the person wearing it around the chest. A plurality of upstanding substantially resilient semi-rigid stems are provided in the wells. The stems have a height slightly lower than the depth of the wells. When the person sleeps on the back, the weight of the body would compress the wells such that the semi-rigid stems will protrude outside of the wells to cause irritation to the back of the wearer so that the person would subconsciously turn to sleep on the side or stomach thus detering snoring to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Ronald J. Austin