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).
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Patent number: 8167246Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Floatograph Technologies, LLCInventor: Tony W. Mears
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Patent number: 8162265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventor: Tony W. Mears
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Publication number: 20100264270Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventor: Tony W. Mears
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Patent number: 7156033Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.Inventors: Tony W. Mears, David G. Walder, Thomas Edward Berg
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Patent number: 6845726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: FloatLogic, IncInventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate
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Publication number: 20040261686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventor: Tony W. Mears
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Patent number: 6830004Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate, Michael Braitberg
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Publication number: 20040226498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Tony W. Mears, David G. Walder, Thomas Edward Berg
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Patent number: 6814019Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: FloatLogic, Inc.Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore
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Patent number: 6802274Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Float Rail, Inc.Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore
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Publication number: 20040139904Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventor: Tony W. Mears
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Publication number: 20040003766Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate, Michael Braitberg
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Publication number: 20030213420Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore
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Publication number: 20030145775Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate
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Publication number: 20030106478Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore