Patents by Inventor Alan R. Pitkanen

Alan R. Pitkanen 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: 5454576
    Abstract: A foldable two-wheeled golf pull cart for use in conjunction with a conventional golf bag or which may be formed integral with a specially-designed golf bag. The pull cart of the invention is constructed so that its wheels may be collapsed individually and sequentially to a stowed position directly under the bottom of the golf bag one over the other and parallel to the bottom of the golf bag in coaxial relationship with the longitudinal axis of the golf bag. Each wheel is connected by a strut to a hinge on the frame of the golf pull cart and each wheel may be swung easily to its deployed position by a 180 degree rotation about a corresponding single axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 5366402
    Abstract: A toy assembly that has a bubble generating machine which can be coupled to a variety of existing bicycles and tricycles. The bubble machine includes a housing which contains a pair of rings that can move in and out of a reservoir filled with bubble liquid. The rings move adjacent to a fan which blows air through the rings to create a plurality of bubbles. Both the rings and the fan are coupled to an electric motor which can be energized by depressing a button The button is also connected to an electronic assembly which emits sounds when the button is depressed. The button is typically located on the bike, so that the child can generate bubbles and noises while driving the vehicle. The assembly also includes a bracket which can be attached to the frame of a vehicle with either a pair of straps, or a pair of screws. The bracket is constructed to be attached to bikes having either tubular or rectangular frames. Extending from the bracket is an adjustable wire that couples the bubble machine to the bike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Elliot A. Rudell
    Inventors: Elliot Rudell, George T. Foster, Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 5158492
    Abstract: An automotive doll that is activated by light. The doll has at least two moving parts, preferably the head, arms and torso of a girl like figure. Within the torso of the doll is a motor that is connected to a plurality of gears and cams that are attached to the moving parts. The motor is preferably powered by batteries that are connected to a light sensor attached to the doll. The sensor switches on the motor when light is directed toward the sensor. When the motor is activated, the torso, arms and head all move relative to each other. The parts move through predetermined cycles, such that the head, arms and torso rotate back and forth between two positions. The drive mechanism is constructed and arranged so that each moving part rotates through a different cycle. Such an arrangement creates a doll that can move into an almost infinite variety of positions, greatly reducing the mechanical appearance of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Elliott A. Rudell
    Inventors: Elliot A. Rudell, Joseph S. Cernansky, George T. Foster, Richard P. Kamrath, Raymond E. Fisher, Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4556216
    Abstract: A mechanical and electronic apparatus which utilizes off-setting positive and negative muscle effort to provide a complete body muscle exerciser. The exerciser is constructed so that left side and right side symmetrical muscle groups are caused to work against one another, with one muscle group moving in extension providing resistance for the symmetrical muscle group to work thereagainst in contraction. A mechanical gear drive train is interposed between the opposing symmetrical muscle groups to transmit the forces exerted thereby, and to guide the user's limbs so that the directions of motion are exactly opposite, and to assure that one muscle group contracts simultaneously with the extension of the other. Electrical sensors are coupled to the mechanical drive train to indicate the resistance being experienced by each muscle group; and also to indicate the position of the muscle groups, that is, the distance they have moved in their excursion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Inventor: Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4248008
    Abstract: A pistol-like device for ejecting toy balloons is provided which rapidly spins an inflated balloon and then releases the balloon while it is still spinning. The device thereby provides a spin stabilization to the balloon which causes the balloon to follow a prescribed course while being propelled by the air jet issuing from the neck of the balloon as the air within the balloon escapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Inventor: Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4227690
    Abstract: A game apparatus in which die is provided with two stub axles which project out from opposite faces thereof. The game includes a base which has a channel extending thereacross equipped with spaced and parallel ramps on the sides thereof which are inclined downwardly from the ends of the channel towards the center of the base. A vertical slot is provided at the center extending downwardly from the ramps. The die is allowed to roll down one pair of ramps from one end of the channel with the axles of the die engaging the ramps. When the die reaches the center of the channel, its axles fall down the vertical slots, and the die drops to the bottom of the channel coming to rest with one of its faces exposed. Sets of flippers are pivotally mounted along selected sides of the base for individual movement by different players from outer positions to inner positions. When any flipper is in its inner position, its distal end covers the exposed face of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4139965
    Abstract: In a device using an impregnated paper with a chemically reactive marker, the device includes a box-like housing having a translucent planar surface with light projected from within the box onto the rear side of the surface. A paper impregnated with an indicator dye resulting in an opaque paper is placed on the surface. Marker pens having substance chemically reactive with the indicator dye are used to mark the paper. The chemical reaction between the marker solution and the coating renders the so-marked areas translucent for passage of light through the paper in the region so-marked. Transparent dyes are utilized in the markers to combine with the color of the indicator dye to form a third color which is a combination of the two colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Beverly J. Curry, Alan R. Pitkanen, Gary M. Saffer, Robert G. Trout
  • Patent number: 4128949
    Abstract: A toy clock having a housing with a base portion for supporting the clock face thereof in a vertical position, the clock face having an hour hand and a minute hand proportionately coupled and rotatable, the rotatin thereof simultaneously effecting proportional rotation of a coaxial pair of co-planar disc surfaces to effect a digital readout corresponding to the position of the dials. The clock is provided with a rear compartment which houses a conveyor operated by rotation of the dials to elevate marbles from a given location to a marble storage rack in the upper rear portion in the housing. A tuned escapement or release mechanism permits a number of marbles, corresponding to the number indicated by the hour hand, to be released sequentially along a trackway viewable from the front, the track providing a path of travel for the marbles under the force of gravity with periodic interceptions by pivotally supported animated figures to the lower portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Marason, Jr., John M. Melzian, Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4122553
    Abstract: A convertible garment is provided which can be worn either as a sleeved jacket, such as a parka, or as a sleeveless vest. The garment of the invention has fully attached sleeves, and it includes a linear zipper, or equivalent straight-line closure device, extending along the outside of each sleeve from the shoulder seam of the sleeve to a point just above the elbow. The zipper is long enough so that when opened, a hole is produced in each sleeve which corresponds in size with the arm holes in the jacket itself. When the garment is to be converted from a jacket to a vest, the zippers are pulled open and the sleeves are turned inside-out deploying them into the interior of the garment. The wearer then puts his arms through the holes in the sleeves, and the garment is worn as a vest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Alan R. Pitkanen
  • Patent number: 4069669
    Abstract: An inertial turbine system is provided which stores energy in a rotating flywheel shell by passing a fluid, such as mercury, in and out of the shell during braking or acceleration of the vehicle in which the system is installed. The resulting fluid flywheel is coupled to an input/output shaft through a turbine transmission system. The transmission system is constructed to effect optimal energy transfer over a wide range of relative speeds between the rotating flywheel shell and the input/output shaft to which the shell is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Alan R. Pitkanen