Patents by Inventor Bruce S. Kachel

Bruce S. Kachel 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: 6428432
    Abstract: A ball toy has an inner spherical shell within an outer spherical shell, a light source being mounted within the inner shell adjacent to a first end of a plurality of etched optical fibers having the other ends arrayed between the inner and outer shells. The outer shell is translucent while the inner shell has a coated outer surface that reflects light from the optical fibers. Between the light source and the first end of the optical fibers is a color chamber having different color elements through which light may be transmitted and which may move when the ball moves so as to vary the colors received by the optical fibers thereby effecting variation in the color seen as the ball rolls or is otherwise moved, the light seen at the translucent shell fluctuating according to the colors transmitted. A motion switch and/or a master switch may be used to turn the system on and off. A timer may deactivate the circuits if the ball is not moved after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Bruce S. Kachel
  • Patent number: 5029047
    Abstract: An infant crib mobile wherein the objects or characters attached to its appendages, or any point on the appendages, can emit active, (twinkling or sequencing) colorful light. This is accomplished by utilizing optic fibers to transmit light from a light source in the mobile's central housing to the objects or characters, or a given location on the appendages. The light is made active and colorful at the output end of the optic fibers by placing a light influencing slide between the light source and the input end of the revolving optic fibers that are routed from the appendages and are grouped together in front of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Bruce S. Kachel