Patents by Inventor Bob Francis

Bob Francis 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: 7814784
    Abstract: A device for guiding the helmsman and crew of a sailing vessel in steering a correct point of sail course relative to the true wind by knowing the numerical compass degrees for every point of the compass rose for every point of sail. The device employs two dials coupled together to present the direction of the true wind in compass points to the point of sail on both a starboard tack and port tack in numerical compass degrees. This manual operated computer calculates the compass reading for all points of sail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Bob Francis Swindell
  • Publication number: 20080235115
    Abstract: A system for the hosting of a combined auction, with live bidders in physical presence at the auction site as well as online bidders being able to view the auction and bid over the Internet. Auction and bid processing are centralized on a central control system. A remote module is used at the actual physical site of the auction and provides site data to the central control system for handling and distribution to bidders. The technical requirements at the actual auction site are minimized by the centralization of the majority of auction processing, and high-speed network connectivity requirements between the auction site and the central processing system are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Zeljko Stefanovic, Roe Peterson, Bob Francis
  • Publication number: 20050246266
    Abstract: A system for the hosting of a combined auction, with live bidders in physical presence at the auction site as well as online bidders being able to view the auction and bid over the Internet. Auction and bid processing are centralized on a central control system. A remote module is used at the actual physical site of the auction and provides site data to the central control system for handling and distribution to bidders. The technical requirements at the actual auction site are minimized by the centralization of the majority of auction processing, and high-speed network connectivity requirements between the auction site and the central processing system are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Zeljko Stefanovic, Roe Peterson, Bob Francis
  • Publication number: 20030158804
    Abstract: A system and method for the online placement of prebids in respect of an auction lot in advance of a live auction. Upon commencement of the live physical or online auction of an auction lot, the winning prebid which was accepted according to the system and method of the present invention will be submitted to the live auction. A Web site system is used to accept the details of prebids, and various methods or formulae for calculating the winning prebid are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Bob Francis, Zeljko Stefanovic
  • Patent number: 6520117
    Abstract: A combination aquarium and terrarium comprising a standard ten-gallon aquarium tank containing water, a physically smaller terrarium and a containment lid. Standard ten-gallon aquarium tanks include a channel shaped band and a channel lip facing the interior of the tank. The terrarium is configured so that, when placed in the tank, the top edges of the terrarium will be positioned between the channel shaped band and the channel lip. A containment lid is provided that mounts on the top side of the channel lip, thereby depressing the terrarium. This downward pressure acts in conjunction with the buoyancy of the terrarium to fix the terrarium in place. An alternate embodiment is composed of two rigid clips, separately mounted on opposing top edges of the terrarium and secured in place by compressive force. Each clip includes a tab that projects outward from the side of the terrarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Bob Francis Wood