Patents Assigned to Spark Innovations Inc.
  • Publication number: 20110281224
    Abstract: A device for lighting and extinguishing candles that includes a housing, an ignitor mechanism provided on the housing, an extinguisher mechanism provided on the housing and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a first actuator for the extinguisher mechanism. Activation of the first actuator prevents the ignitor mechanism from being operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SPARK INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 7922247
    Abstract: An adjustable chair and a tilt assembly for use therewith typically provides side to side tilting of the chair seat and preferably provides forward and backward tilting of the seat separately or in combination with the side to side tilting. A hydraulic system is provided for controlling the tilting movement. Progressive hydraulic valves are used to control the resistance to the tilting movement whereby the chair is useful for exercise while the user is seated and the rate at which the tilting occurs may be controlled. The seat may be locked in any tilted position or the user may shift weight on the seat to provide a continuous shifting of the tilt angle and tilt direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Spark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Publication number: 20080280733
    Abstract: An elliptical exercise machine having a frame adjustable between an operational position and a folded position. A removable outer shell is hingedly connected to a base upon which the elliptical machine stands. The outer shell is configured to resemble two halves of a coffee table that are pivoted to either cover or expose the machine. Each handlebar on the machine includes a hinged section that is movable between a folded and an operational position. The machine is further provided with a latching assembly to lock the flywheel against rotation and to correctly position the same so that the outer shell can be placed over the folded machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: SPARK INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Dickie, Steve A. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20080280735
    Abstract: An elliptical exercise machine having a frame that is adjustable between an operational position and a folded position. The frame includes a base that remains in constant contact with a floor surface when the frame is in both the operational and folded positions. A first mast section extends upwardly and outwardly away from the base. A second mast section is pivotally connected to an upper end of the first mast section. The second mast section is pivoted into vertical alignment with the first mast section when the frame is adjusted into the operational position and is pivoted downwardly toward the base when the frame is adjusted into the folded position. First and second swing arm assemblies are pivotally mounted between the second mast section and a flywheel that is mounted on the base. Handlebars are pivotally mounted on the first and second swing arms. The handlebars are adjustable in orientation so as to reduce the overall dimensions of the elliptical exercise machine when it is to be folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Spark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Dickie, Steve A. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20080280734
    Abstract: An electrically driven, continuous track treadmill having a frame comprising a first section with a second section pivotably connected to a rear end thereof. The treadmill is adjustable between an operational position where the first and second sections are substantially horizontally aligned, and a folded position where the second section is pivoted onto said first section, such that an upper surface of the second section abuts an upper surface of the first section. A handle is pivotally connected to the first section of the frame and extends upwardly away therefrom when the treadmill is in the operational position. The handle pivots into abutting contact with a lower surface of the second section when the treadmill is in the folded position. The treadmill preferably is also provided with an inclination adjustment assembly that is selectively activatable to move the frame between a neutral position, a positively inclined position and a negatively inclined position relative to the floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Spark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Dickie, Steve A. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20070298899
    Abstract: A golf training device for aiding a golfer in perfecting their grip on a golf club and their swing. The golf training device includes an elongated member made from a flexible plastic material and that is designed to frictionally engage the handle portion of the golf club. The device includes a gripping region with first and second positioning aids thereon for correct placement of the golfer's thumbs. The device further includes a pair of lasers that are mounted in a rest area that integrally formed with the gripping region. The lasers are mounted so as to emit a pair of divergent laser beams outwardly away from the lowermost end of the device and on either side of the golf club head. The lasers are used to correctly align the device on the golf club shaft and as an aid for the golfer to check his grip on the club and the position he assumes for addressing a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Spark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Qian Wang
  • Patent number: 6295997
    Abstract: A dispenser for dental floss comprises a closed container having a reel of dental floss disposed therein, and having a generally planar back and front face, a pair of opposed side faces, a bottom face, and a top face opposed to the bottom face. There is a hub centrally located in the interior of the closed container, the reel of dental floss is mounted for rotation about the hub when the dental floss is unwound and removed from the reel. A slot is formed in the top face near a first corner of the container, through which slot a strand of dental floss extends so as to be unwound from the reel. A channel is formed at a second corner of the container, at the intersection of the top face and a second side face, and the channel extends between the top face and the second side face. A friction and cutting member comprises a tongue portion which is angled away from a base portion thereof, and is secured in place within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Spark Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 6295996
    Abstract: A dispenser for dental floss comprises a closed container having a reel of dental floss disposed therein, and having a generally planar back face, a front face, a pair of opposed side faces, a top face, a bottom face opposed to the top face, and a corner at each intersection of the top and bottom faces with the pair of opposed side faces. A hub is centrally located in the interior of the closed container and extends between the interior surfaces of the front and back faces. The reel of dental floss is mounted for rotation about the hub. There is an opening in the front face at a first corner, through which a strand of dental floss extends so as to be unwound from the reel; and a friction and cutting member is at a second corner of the front face. The friction and cutting member comprises a tongue portion which is angled away from a base portion, and is secured in place at the second corner of the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Spark Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 4963104
    Abstract: A multiconductor shielded connector is disclosed in which a flexible, compressible double bushing is used between the connector half shells and the multiconductor cable. The double bushing comprises an outer bushing dimensioned to grasp the outer jacket of the cable at the exiting end of the connector. A concentric, longitudinally offset inner bushing is inserted under the shielding (braid or foil) and mates with ridges on the inner surface of the half shells to form a tight, continuous radiation seal. The inner and outer bushings are connected together with a fine web which maintains concentricity and axial displacement of the bushings before and during assembly, but which does not interfere with the operation of the connector after assembly. The outer bushing may have a sleeve extending outside of the half shells to prevent sharp bends at the connector exit. A single bushing can be used which defines a serpentine cable path when it is desired to use the same half shells with non-shielded cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Spark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie