Producing Supporting Air Column Or Cushion Patents (Class 446/179)
-
Patent number: 10894219Abstract: A flying toy system capable of independently hovering at a programmable height and respond to the manipulations and/or actions of one or more users through their fingers or similar digit extensions, all while continuing an autonomous flight regime.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Inventors: David Thomas Parker, Jacob Thomas Parker, Joshua David Parker
-
Patent number: 8038500Abstract: A bubble generating assembly has a housing having a motor, an air generator and a bubble producing device associated therewith. The assembly also includes a source of bubble solution, and a pump system provided inside the housing that draws bubble solution from the source to the bubble producing device. The bubble producing device includes a tubular member having an inner surface and an outer surface, and oriented so that air from the air generator will flow along both the inner and outer surfaces, and where bubble solution coats both the inner and outer surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Arko Development LimitedInventor: Douglas Thai
-
Patent number: 7931239Abstract: A homeostatic flying hovercraft preferably utilizes at least two pairs of counter-rotating ducted fans to generate lift like a hovercraft and utilizes a homeostatic hover control system to create a flying craft that is easily controlled. The homeostatic hover control system provides true homeostasis of the craft with a true fly-by-wire flight control and control-by-wire system control.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Inventors: Brad Pedersen, Peter Spirov
-
Publication number: 20100216368Abstract: Described herein is a hover toy system having a source of air flow and a hover toy in a shape selected from the group consisting of a surfboard, a skateboard, a snowboard or other board like structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: MANLEY TOYS LTD.Inventor: Robert Michael Del Principe
-
Patent number: 7758400Abstract: Outer and inner inflatable members and a motor assembly including a fan are disposed on a base member. Air provided under pressure by the motor assembly including the fan passes through vents in the base member to inflate the inflatable members. Flakes are disposed in the space between the inflatable members. One vent, larger than the others, provides for the flakes to be lifted upwardly from the base member by the pressurized air. At least another vent in the base member provides for a movement of the flakes by the pressurized air in an annular direction in the space between the inflatable members. A permeable cap disposed on the outer inflatable member limits the pressure in the outer and inner inflatable members to a particular value.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Bergman Design CorporationInventor: David E. Moomaw
-
Publication number: 20090181596Abstract: Disclosed is a hovercraft toy including: a body, which includes, a fan for sending air in order to allow the body to hover and propel; a motor for rotationally driving the fan; an accumulator battery for supplying electric power to the motor; a base for supporting the fan, the motor and the battery at a top thereof; and a skirt arranged on a peripheral part of a bottom part of the base and formed in a shape of bag to be expandable and contractable, wherein the base includes an input terminal on an under surface thereof, the terminal being connectable to an external power source for charging the battery, and the skirt is formed to have an opening on an under surface thereof so as to allow the input terminal to be exposed downwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: TOMY COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Takashi Ichikawa
-
Patent number: 7544017Abstract: A pneumatic sculpture 10 includes a display tube 30 having a first end 40 and a second end 50. The pneumatic sculpture 10 also includes one or more projectiles 20 contained within the display tube 30. The projectile 20 is capable of being propelled through the display tube 30 from a location proximate to the first end 40 to a location proximate to the second end 50, and thereafter from a location proximate to the second end 50 to a location proximate to the first end 40, thereby traveling in one direction or in both directions. Lastly, the pneumatic sculpture 10 includes a pneumatic means 60 coupled to the first and second ends 40, 50 of the display tube 30 for controlling the speed and direction of the projectile 20 through the display tube 30.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Inventor: Charles Wesley Keagy
-
Patent number: 7381112Abstract: A device typically adapted for association with an air diffuser of a ventilation system of a dwelling. The device redirects an air stream from a forced air column received through the diffuser. A novelty item is disposed to depend from structure associated with the base for rotation of the novelty item by the air stream. An operable suspension system includes a magnet assembly and a magnetically attracted bearing element. Desirably, a safety catch is included to maintain the novelty item in proximity to the base in the event of decoupling between the magnet assembly and the bearing element. One preferred base is adapted to form a slip-on fit to a diffuser register of a dwelling's ventilation system. Certain novelty items are sized to provide a self-packaging capability for commercial display. An alternative base is structured to look like furniture, and may include a plurality of internal passageways through which air may selectively be directed.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Inventor: Greg L. Symes
-
Patent number: 7326101Abstract: A switching arrangement capable of being actuated by an application of an air current with a playset component, a movable member for receiving an application of an air current relative to the playset component wherein the movable member for receiving an application of the air current is movable in response to the application of the air current, and an arrangement for actuating a response to a movement of the movable member for receiving an application of the air current. The switching arrangement can be electrical or non-electrical. Where the switching arrangement is electrical, it can cause an electrical signal to be produced in response to a sensed movement of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
-
Patent number: 7311580Abstract: Outer and inner inflatable members and a motor assembly including a fan are disposed on a base member. Air provided under pressure by the motor assembly including the fan passes through vents in the base member to inflate the inflatable members. Flakes are disposed in the space between the inflatable members. One vent, larger than the others, provides for the flakes to be lifted upwardly from the base member by the pressurized air. At least another vent in the base member provides for a movement of the flakes by the pressurized air in an annular direction in the space between the inflatable members. A permeable cap disposed on the outer inflatable member limits the pressure in the outer and inner inflatable members to a particular value.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Bergman Design ConsortiumInventor: David E. Moomaw
-
Patent number: 7306231Abstract: A pneumatic prize dispensing system for an arcade game. The game includes a pneumatically-controlled method of suspending and controlling the movement encapsulated prizes within a vertically-oriented transparent tube by means of differential air pressure. A player controls the vertical position of the prize by means of a pneumatic control valve. The object of the game is to control the position of the prize capsule to match a target position zone presented to the contestant via a set of visual cues for a predetermined period of time. The game dispenses the encapsulated prize or alternatively, prize tokens, if the game-winning criteria are achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Bob's Space Racers, Inc.Inventor: John Callahan
-
Patent number: 7302769Abstract: An inflatable display that has an interchangeable fan assembly in a position on the inflatable figure that allows optimum airflow into the display. One interchangeable fan assembly can be used for a plurality of inflatable figures by detaching the interchangeable fan assembly from the receiving opening on one figure and attaching it to the same on another figure with a compatible receiving opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Chrisha Creations, Ltd.Inventor: William Machala
-
Patent number: 7201628Abstract: A car has a front and a back with a chamber there within. The back of the car includes a fan with a motor. The back of the car also includes a hinged fin extending rearwardly with a driver and a linkage. A source of power is located in the chamber and is coupled to the motor and the driver. A control assembly includes a receiver within the chamber coupled to the motor and the driver. The control assembly also includes a hand held transmitter having a plurality of dials to control the car. Lastly, a race track has an upper plate with apertures with a pump for creating an air flow upwardly through the apertures for supporting the car there above.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Inventor: Evan Spenneberg
-
Patent number: 7048604Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a toy wherein a player manipulates a levitated object through an obstacle course. Furthermore, the present invention allows the player to design and build the obstacle course. The toy may include a playing field having a plurality of mounting stations distributed along a pathway and a plurality of obstacles adapted to interchangeably engage the mounting stations. A levitation mechanism may be adapted to produce an air stream and move the air stream along the pathway. In addition, the toy may further include a controller adapted to control movement of the air stream along the pathway.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Alan Cusolito, Kevin W. Gray
-
Patent number: 6804905Abstract: A portable sign which includes a base member having a generally cylindrical rigid lateral wall with an air input opening and an upper opening. An air blower is positioned in the base member, and an elongated display member having a flexible generally cylindrical section extends upwardly from the generally cylindrical rigid lateral wall of the base member. The flexible cylindrical section has a lower open end connecting to a disc shaped cut out in the base member and has a closed top section having an air exit opening. Lettering will be displayed on the flexible cylindrical section.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Inventors: Frank Leo Burger, III, Okey F Cobb, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6722887Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method that can provide a group of individuals with an experiential exercise. The apparatus can comprise a source of fluid flow and a channel formation connected to the source of fluid flow at at least two regions of the channel formation. The source of fluid flow can be a vacuum suction provided from, for example, a single vacuum source. The fluid flow can be airflow. The channel formation is adapted to receive at least one projectile therein, and the projectile is displaceable within the channel formation as a result of the fluid flow. The projectile can be, for example, a ball. A gate is located at each region and is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate is in the closed position it at least partially obstructs the fluid flow with the channel formation in that region. Further, at least one fluid flow regulator is provided in the channel formation to adjust the fluid flow in the channel formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Eagle's Flight, Creative Training Excellence Inc.Inventor: Adrian Polonio
-
Publication number: 20030171064Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a toy wherein a player manipulates a levitated object through an obstacle course. Furthermore, the present invention allows the player to design and build the obstacle course. The toy may include a playing field having a plurality of mounting stations distributed along a pathway and a plurality of obstacles adapted to interchangeably engage the mounting stations. A levitation mechanism may be adapted to produce an air stream and move the air stream along the pathway. In addition, the toy may further include a controller adapted to control movement of the air stream along the pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventors: Alan Cusolito, Kevin W. Gray
-
Patent number: 6443397Abstract: A miniature car kite. The device includes an aero-resistant shape, such a disc, airplane, kite or figure; and a semi-rigid tether attached to the shape. In the preferred embodiment, the tether includes a pre-determined length of a semi-rigid material and a mounting platform at one end for mounting the miniature car kite to the tether. A clip for attaching the miniature car kite to the grill of an air vent is attached to the distal end of the tether.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Inventor: Todd Christian Morris
-
Patent number: 6186857Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a dynamic gas-inflated object such as a figure with legs, a torso and head, and a pair of arms. The figure performs generally repetitive movements such as dance-like undulations in a manner that appears to keep time with music. The figure is hollow and connected to a continuous generally constant input flow of air or other gas under pressure. The figure is provided with at least two spaced-apart outlets or vents to allow a continuous discharge of generally all of the air being introduced into the figure. In operation, the figure tends to cycle between extending generally upright, then, as more air is discharged, destabilizing and moving to a contorted or bent position, then, as more air flows in, to extending, etc. The figure may be designed for extensive movement e.g., dancing, or for a narrower range of movements. In a preferred form, the outlets are generally at the top of the head and at the ends of the arms.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Inventors: Doron Gazit, Arieh Leon Dranger
-
Patent number: 6183336Abstract: A candy holding device that is designed to combine candy and which supports the candy. The device includes an upper housing, a middle housing, and a lower housing. The upper housing is a liquid-filled container that has a metallic rotor in the lower portion. The rotor is put in motion by a motor and a magnetic rotor causing a tornado movement within the liquid to provide entertainment. The liquid may also containing objects (glitter, three-dimensional figures, etc.) that are visible to the user. Additionally, at the top of the upper housing is a support for a piece of candy which can be made to be replaceable is desired. The middle housing contains the motor and a switch means. The motor spins the magnetic rotor that in turn spins the metallic rotor in the upper housing. The switch means controls the motor and the lower housing contains the power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
-
Patent number: 6045341Abstract: A levitation hand-holdable blower comprises a pistol like housing that has a butt 10 and a barrel 11. A motor 12 and a fan provide a flow of air along a channel and out of vents 17 to support a ball (not shown) in levitation manner. The blower is easily transportable and simple to operate.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Hop Lee Cheong Industrial Company LimitedInventor: Kai-Shun Mak
-
Patent number: 5794364Abstract: A projectile launching and recirculating display apparatus and method are provided which preferably include a collector extending in a generally horizontal plane, and having an opening positioned in a medial portion thereof for collecting a plurality of projectiles, such as balloons, therein. A blower has an output positioned to underlie the collector opening for blowing a gas upwardly through the opening and thereby blowing the plurality of projectiles upwardly when overlying the collector opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventor: Randel William Richmond
-
Patent number: 5658198Abstract: A pneumatic toy including a board provided with a runway, a body for running along the runway, an air chamber formed within the board, a blower for supplying air to the air chamber, a plurality of holes associated with the board which communicate with the air chamber and which are inclined relative to the board to direct air against the running body to propel same along the runway.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1996Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignees: Imagic, Inc., Tomy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshizou Nagasaka, Katsumi Kakizaki
-
Patent number: 5564963Abstract: This invention relates to a toy supported by a self-generated air-cushion. The toy has a platform, a pillow, a fan and a motor to drive the fan. The platform sits above the pillow. The fan and its motor are located centrally and substantially within the pillow and close to the surface over which the toy hovers. The fan draws air into the pillow and expels air through perforations in a bottom sheet of the pillow. This generates an air-cushion between the pillow and a surface over which the toy hovers. The air-cushion enables the toy to glide along the surface upon application of an external force, such as a push from a child's hand. The platform supports a figure which can be a real or animated character.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1993Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventor: Albert W. T. Chan
-
Patent number: 5545071Abstract: An educational toy keyboard is constructed of a main body, keys arranged on the main body, and transparent cylinders corresponding to the individual keys. The transparent cylinders are mounted on the main body and tone-indicating characterful figures are fitted for flotation within the respective cylinders. The tone-indicating characterful figures are floated by buoyancy of compressed air. The keyboard further includes a blower for feeding the compressed air, and a sound-generating circuit capable of sounding a scale or melody in response to depression of the individual keys. When the individual keys are selectively depressed, the sound-generating circuit sounds the scale or melody and the tone-indicating characterful figures are caused to float in the corresponding transparent cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1995Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignees: Stuff Co., Ltd., Works Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masami Shiraishi
-
Patent number: 5467985Abstract: The present invention relates to a new board game in which the players shoot tops, Skelly Tops, around an air cushioned board having number 1-13. The players in this Objectional Air Skelly board game use their preferred top and try to eliminate their opponents game position while covering all 13 numbers, in sequence, and then retracing the numbers from 13 to 1 themselves, thereby becoming winners. This novel game can be played indoors or outdoors and can be played by anyone, from child to adult. Every play of this game is different and offers contestants a variety of challenges while increasing their own game skill.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Inventor: Darryl L. Jones
-
Patent number: 5381719Abstract: A blower provided, for example, at the bottom of a predetermined concavity in an electronic keyboard instrument supplies an air blast to a light ball to blow same up, using a fan rotated by a motor. In this case, a motor controller controls the rotational speed of the motor on the basis of the amplitude of a tone signal output from an amplifier. As a result, the ball moves up and down in accordance with the amplitude of the tone signal. The motor controller may control the rotational speed of the motor on the basis of a pitch for controlling the generation of a tone signal, velocity, timbre, automatic performance tempo, rhythm pattern or a change in the pitch or a combination of some or all of them, and not on the basis of the amplitude of the generated tone signal by itself.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshihiko Otsuka
-
Patent number: 5314368Abstract: A toy or display suspends a ball in mid-air and moves the ball in a closed path without any visible means of support above a housing. The ball is moved radially toward, and alternately away from, a central housing axis, and may also be raised and lowered in elevation during its travel along the path.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1993Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Inventor: Peter S. C. Cheng
-
Patent number: 5291674Abstract: A display formed of two colorless, transparent plastic cylinders mounted concentrically with a vertical axis upon a base. The space between the two cylinders forms a tank which is filled with liquid and some plastic snowflakes having a slightly greater specific gravity than the liquid. An object to be displayed is positioned within the inner cylinder and, so, is not in contact with the liquid. The object and the liquid are illuminated by a light within the base. A motor operates a pump having an uncased spiral rotor projecting vertically downwardly into the liquid. Rotation of the pump causes a diffuse upward flow of the liquid and the snowflakes in the vicinity of the pump. Though this causes the snowflakes to move upwardly in a gentle and diffuse manner, this motion isn't particularly noticed by an observer. When the snowflakes reach the top of the liquid, they are diffused sidewardly and begin dropping, creating a snowfall effect.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1993Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Assignee: Mechtronics CorporationInventor: Arthur L. Torrence
-
Patent number: 5211596Abstract: An air activated amusement device having a hollow body member including a cylindrical side wall, and a front wall and a rear wall at opposite sides thereof, with an elongated tubular member connected to the rear wall, and a ball disposed against the front wall. The user blows into the tubular member so that air is transferred from the tubular member through the body member to an outer surface of the ball, where the air causes the ball to rotate against the front wall without falling away when the front wall is in a vertical position. Preferably, the front wall has a concave wall portion matching the outer surface of the ball so that a portion of the ball is received in the concave wall portion to allow the ball to be freely rotatable against an outer surface of the concave wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1992Date of Patent: May 18, 1993Inventor: Franklin F. Bradshaw
-
Patent number: 5092808Abstract: There is disclosed an action toy system comprising a base, an air blower, and unit toys connected with holes formed in the surface of the base. The blower blows air into the unit toys through the base and the holes to cause the toys to perform action.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1991Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Takasaka, Eiji Takuma, Hirotsugu Tomizawa
-
Patent number: 5045013Abstract: An air-cushion vehicle toy [1] includes a first motor [3b] for driving a propeller fan [3a], a second motor [4b] for driving a hovering fan [4a], and a body [1a] detachably mounted on a chassis [1b], on which a power supply [5a] is supported, and covering the upper surface of the chassis [1b] with various components supported thereon. The air-cushion vehicle toy [1] further includes a power cutoff mechanism [5] for breaking a power supply circuit to deenergize the first and second motors when the body [1a] is removed from the chassis [1b].Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1990Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Gakushu KenkyushaInventor: Takashi Fujitani
-
Patent number: 5029872Abstract: A spaceship type toy and game is disclosed employing a tube and a generally spherical toy space capsule received by the tube. A fan assembly beneath the spacecraft provided air pressure which, when sufficiently great, causes the space capsule to translate within the tube, thus stimulating space travel over a limited distance. By providing an adjustable electrical power supply to the fan assembly the position of the capsule within the tube can be controlled by the user. A pair of side thrust fans on the spherical toy capsule provide airflow in a horizontal direction to cause rotation of the space capsule about the vertical axis of the tube. In addition, a simulated laser cannon is provided in the space capsule which emits a light beam. A space city screen containing targets partially surrounds the spaceship toy. In use, the user will control the height and rotation of the space capsule and will fire the laser cannon at the targets in the space city screen.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1989Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
-
Patent number: 5011144Abstract: The invention is directed to a ball support practice tee whereby a ball is suspended on a column of air. The apparatus involves a housing having an annular cone shaped nozzle extending upwardly therefrom. Within the nozzle is placed a blind core which prevents axial flow of air from the nozzle, but will cause air to flow between the nozzle and the inner surface of the nozzle to produce an annular flow of air from the nozzle, thus suspending a ball. A compressor is placed within the housing for producing a supply of air under pressure through the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Hugo MarelloInventors: Hugo Marello, James Allan
-
Patent number: 4993986Abstract: The fuzz blower power tube of the present invention disclosed herein agitates floats in generally non laminar fluid flow to cause the floats to acquire a static charge. The charged floats repel each other and may cling to portions of the tube of opposite charge. The fuzz blower power tube includes as principal components a ventilated container, fluid, fan, motor and floats. The ventilatd container has an intake for receiving fluid within the container and an exhaust for expelling the fluid which flows through at least one of the means. The fan, causes the fluid to flow and transport the floats from a upstream to a downstream position and collide with each other and other portions of the container.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Inventor: Steven L. Bloomfield
-
Patent number: 4964835Abstract: An air cushion vehicle toy has a body formed with an air inlet and levitation air vent holes. An expandable and contractible skirt is attached to a lower part of the body, and a centrifugal levitation air blower is arranged to both expand the skirt and to levitate the body. Propulsive air blowers are mounted on a body upper part, and a radio control unit may be provided for controlling all of these air blowers separately. The body incorporates a float unit for improving buoyancy. The skirt may be bag-like with a bottom provided with holes.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: Taiyo Kogyo Co. Ltd.Inventor: Shohei Suto
-
Patent number: 4858921Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ball suspending apparatus which utilizes a dual directional component air stream to support the ball for striking. The dual directional component air stream allows the ball to be spun according to the desire of the operator. For example, a baseball may be supported to simulate the certain spins associated with fastball or curveball pitches thrown by either left or right handed pitchers, thereby allowing the batter to experience the manner in which a certain type of pitch will react when struck with a bat.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1988Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Inventors: Harold L. Eustice, William T. Foster
-
Patent number: 4725256Abstract: A pneumatic construction game comprising a series of connected plastic tubes forming an endless conduit having an inlet opening, a source for delivering pressurized air into the conduit, a body movable in the conduit in response to introduction of the pressurized air, and control vents, upstream and downstream of the inlet opening, to control the motion of the body as it moves around the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1986Date of Patent: February 16, 1988Inventor: John J. Sassak
-
Patent number: 4573938Abstract: A spaceship type toy is disclosed employing a lower base assembly, a duct, and a generally spherical toy space capsule closely received by the tube. A fan assembly within the base provides air pressure to the lower portion of the duct which, when sufficiently great, causes the toy capsule to translate within the tube, thus simulating space travel over a limited distance. By providing an adjustable electrical power supply to the fan assembly, the position of the capsule within the tube can be controlled by the user. In accordance with another feature of this invention, within the capsule is a seat which supports a toy astronaut figure. This seat can be rotated between two positions, which causes an electrical switching action upon a visual display within the spacecraft. The toy astronaut figure chair is further movable to expose a battery compartment within the spacecraft.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1984Date of Patent: March 4, 1986Inventor: Mark S. Sassak