Patents by Inventor Tony W. Mears

Tony W. Mears 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: 8167246
    Abstract: A tethering system for controlling an inflatable airfoil is provided. The inflatable airfoil has a horizontal center line and a vertical center line. The tethering system includes an airfoil wing secured to the inflatable airfoil. A first forward attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A second forward attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A rear attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A center attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A first airfoil reinforcement strap is secured between the first forward attachment ring and the center attachment ring. A second airfoil reinforcement strap extends between the second forward attachment ring and the center attachment ring. A third airfoil reinforcement strap extends between the rear attachment ring and the center attachment ring. A control mechanism controls the inflatable airfoil during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Floatograph Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tony W. Mears
  • Patent number: 8162265
    Abstract: An airfoil wing system for releasing air from an airfoil wing for an inflatable airfoil is provided. The airfoil wing is secured to the inflatable airfoil. The airfoil wing system has at least two wing panels connected together and an opening formed between the two wing panels wherein the opening automatically moves from a closed position to an open position to release air from beneath the airfoil wing thereby allowing takedown of the inflatable airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Tony W. Mears
  • Publication number: 20100264270
    Abstract: An airfoil wing system for releasing air from an airfoil wing for an inflatable airfoil is provided. The airfoil wing is secured to the inflatable airfoil. The airfoil wing system comprises at least two wing panels connected together and an opening formed between the two wing panels wherein the opening automatically moves from a closed position to an open position to release air from beneath the airfoil wing thereby allowing takedown of the inflatable airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Tony W. Mears
  • Patent number: 7156033
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining an aircraft in a floating and stable condition is provided. The flotation device comprises at least one flotation bladder mounted to the aircraft and an inflation mechanism for inflating the flotation bladder. A method for maintaining an aircraft in a floating condition is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, David G. Walder, Thomas Edward Berg
  • Patent number: 6845726
    Abstract: A flotation device for floating a watercraft is provided. The flotation device comprises a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. A first collapsible tubing is positioned between the cover and the watercraft for removing at least a portion of the cover. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the first collapsible tubing releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate
  • Publication number: 20040261686
    Abstract: An inflating flotation and stability device for equipment is provided. The device comprises at least one inflatable bladder mounted to the mounting plate and a cover covering the inflatable bladder. A carrier mechanism secures the inflatable bladder to the equipment. A cover removing mechanism removes the cover and an inflation mechanism inflates the inflatable bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Tony W. Mears
  • Patent number: 6830004
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprises a mounting plate mounted to the watercraft with the mounting plate having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder-retaining slot, and a second bladder-retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover is receivable in the cover channels with the first collapsible tubing positioned between the mounting plate and the first edge. A space is defined between the mounting plate and the cover with a directional bladder and a flotation bladder receivable within the space. At least a portion of the directional bladder is receivable within the first bladder-retaining slot and at least a portion of the flotation bladder is receivable within the second bladder-retaining slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate, Michael Braitberg
  • Publication number: 20040226498
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining an aircraft in a floating and stable condition is provided. The flotation device comprises at least one flotation bladder mounted to the aircraft and an inflation mechanism for inflating the flotation bladder. A method for maintaining an aircraft in a floating condition is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, David G. Walder, Thomas Edward Berg
  • Patent number: 6814019
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprising a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. At least one directing bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the directing bladder, the directing bladder releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore
  • Patent number: 6802274
    Abstract: A device for floating a watercraft in a body of water with the watercraft having a water line is provided. The device comprises an inflatable first flotation bladder mountable adjacent the waterline and an inflatable second flotation bladder adjacent the first flotation bladder wherein upon inflation of the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder, the first flotation bladder directs the second flotation bladder in a general direction into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Float Rail, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore
  • Publication number: 20040139904
    Abstract: An inflatable watercraft support device for supporting a watercraft is provided. The support device comprises a first support bladder having a first end and a second end and a second support bladder having a first end and a second end. A connecting mechanism connects the first end of the first support bladder to the first end of the second support bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Tony W. Mears
  • Publication number: 20040003766
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprises a mounting plate mounted to the watercraft with the mounting plate having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder-retaining slot, and a second bladder-retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover is receivable in the cover channels with the first collapsible tubing positioned between the mounting plate and the first edge. A space is defined between the mounting plate and the cover with a directional bladder and a flotation bladder receivable within the space. At least a portion of the directional bladder is receivable within the first bladder-retaining slot and at least a portion of the flotation bladder is receivable within the second bladder-retaining slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate, Michael Braitberg
  • Publication number: 20030213420
    Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprising a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. At least one directing bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the directing bladder, the directing bladder releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore
  • Publication number: 20030145775
    Abstract: A flotation device for floating a watercraft is provided. The flotation device comprises a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. A first collapsible tubing is positioned between the cover and the watercraft for removing at least a portion of the cover. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the first collapsible tubing releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate
  • Publication number: 20030106478
    Abstract: A device for floating a watercraft in a body of water with the watercraft having a water line is provided. The device comprises an inflatable first flotation bladder mountable adjacent the waterline and an inflatable second flotation bladder adjacent the first flotation bladder wherein upon inflation of the first flotation bladder and the second flotation bladder, the first flotation bladder directs the second flotation bladder in a general direction into the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore