Patents by Inventor Bruce Thrush

Bruce Thrush 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).

  • Publication number: 20120304566
    Abstract: A floor tile system for protecting a substrate is described. The system includes two tiles or mats that interlock with one another along numerous axes to provide a tight, high-strength seam. Specifically, the tiles include teeth that interlock with teeth of the other tile in a side-by-side manner. The tiles also include male and female portions that interlock when the tile edges overlap with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20120238179
    Abstract: A transformative floor mat system that is interactive as a toy and a mat that is safe, fun and creative. In one form, the floor mat has tiles with interlocking structure around the edges of each tile to prove for a secured large surface area. The floor mat also has play pieces that can be removed from within each tiles so that each tile can be connected to one another to form a play figure. The floor mat system could also be configured to form other three-dimensional structures and environments, such as castles, forests, and beaches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, Peter Szucs
  • Patent number: 8210892
    Abstract: A transformative floor mat system that is interactive as a toy and a mat that is safe, fun and creative. In one form, the floor mat has tiles with interlocking structure around the edges of each tile to prove for a secured large surface area. The floor mat also has play pieces that can be removed from within each tiles so that each tile can be connected to one another to form a play figure. The floor mat system could also be configured to form other three-dimensional structures and environments, such as castles, forests, and beaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Parallax Group International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, Peter Szucs
  • Publication number: 20120021148
    Abstract: Floor mats comprising two layers bonded together with an undulating boundary between them. The surface color and/or surface texture of the first layer being different from the surface color and/or surface texture of the second layer. The mats having an interlocking periphery boundary adapted so the mats can be interlocked with adjoining mats to form a continuous planar mat flooring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce Thrush
  • Publication number: 20110186533
    Abstract: A storage system comprises a rack of multiple platforms connectable to one another in a first direction, where each of the platforms has segments that connect to one another along a direction other than the first direction, via a user-operable coupling. The platforms are preferably rectangular, and are connected at their long ends. The segments of each platform are also preferably rectangular, but they are connected along their long sides. In such embodiments, the connection between platforms is perpendicular to the length of the rack, while the connection between segments is parallel to the length of the rack. The segments of individual platforms are preferably coupled together with snap fit connections, and supported from their undersides by transverse supports, and the transverse supports are supported from their undersides by longitudinal supports via recesses on the segments. The transverse supports are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20110000162
    Abstract: An interlocking tile system comprises tiles that has a body, interlocking cap structure with a first surface and a second surface; a first curved portion connecting the first surface with a radius of R1 to the second engaging surface with a radius of R2, wherein R1>R2; and a stem supporting the cap structure. The cap is a mushroom-like shape. Such configuration of the connector aids in installation by lessening instances of binding and align and guide the caps into their corresponding receiving areas. The tiles are preferably square, and are connected along all four sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Patent number: 7797890
    Abstract: An interlocking tile system comprises tiles that has a body, interlocking cap structure with a first surface and a second surface; a first curved portion connecting the first surface with a radius of R1 to the second engaging surface with a radius of R2, wherein R1>R2; and a stem supporting the cap structure. The cap is a mushroom-like shape. Such configuration of the connector aids in installation by lessening instances of binding and align and guide the caps into their corresponding receiving areas. The tiles are preferably square, and are connected along all four sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20100194039
    Abstract: A transformative floor mat system that is interactive as a toy and a mat that is safe, fun and creative. In one form, the floor mat has tiles with interlocking structure around the edges of each tile to prove for a secured large surface area. The floor mat also has play pieces that can be removed from within each tiles so that each tile can be connected to one another to form a play figure. The floor mat system could also be configured to form other three-dimensional structures and environments, such as castles, forests, and beaches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, Peter Szucs
  • Publication number: 20080180008
    Abstract: A modular furniture system operable in combination with a wall that has (a) an upper set of laterally extending slots and (b) a lower set of laterally extending slots. The system has a first rail that can be anchored to the wall, and having a first connector that engages at least one of the slots in a manner that assists in supporting a weight of the furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20070199257
    Abstract: An interlocking tile system comprises tiles that has a body, interlocking cap structure with a first surface and a second surface; a first curved portion connecting the first surface with a radius of R1 to the second engaging surface with a radius of R2, wherein R1>R2; and a stem supporting the cap structure. The cap is a mushroom-like shape. Such configuration of the connector aids in installation by lessening instances of binding and align and guide the caps into their corresponding receiving areas. The tiles are preferably square, and are connected along all four sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: THE PARALLAX GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20070084864
    Abstract: A storage crate has a side access doorway, which is preferably closable by a hinged door. Preferred crates are also collapsible in some manner, most preferably using pivots disposed between the floor and two of the sides, and horizontally along in about the middle of those two sides. Depending on the configuration, collapsing can advantageously reduce the height of the crate by at least 50%, 75% or more. Preferred crates are also stackable, most preferably by virtue of at least two of the sides have sufficient wall strength such that one could safely stack of at least three of the crates when unfolded to an operating configuration, and when each of the crates are loaded with at least 10 kilograms of stored material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20070022689
    Abstract: A floor or wall covering has blocks with mating strips having multiple ridges and multiple grooves in both mating members. Ridges and grooves can have different sizes and cross-sectional shapes from one another, and can mate in a manner that provides expansion gaps. Male/female positioning pairs can advantageously be included to facilitate alignment of the blocks during installation and use. Preferred floor blocks comprise a ribbed support portion that supports a working surface, and the ribbed support portion defines a plurality of cells that collectively reduce the weight of the block by a factor of at least 20% relative to corresponding block without such cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20070006784
    Abstract: A blow-molded or other plastic table has an internal frame. The internal frame preferably includes at least first and second support beams disposed lengthwise in the top, and more preferably also has both lateral and medial support beams, and a cross member that couples the lateral and medial support beams. The lateral and medial support beams need not extend the length of the table, and indeed in some embodiments they extend less than half the length of the table. Such a configuration allows the top to be manufactured, shipped, and stored in halves or other pieces. The lateral support beams can also be disposed to overlap, with or without touching one another. The top is preferably blow molded, and includes a core having a first plurality of baffles. Such baffles can be disposed in any suitable manner, including longwise and cross-wise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20070007223
    Abstract: A storage system comprises a rack of multiple platforms connectable to one another in a first direction, where each of the platforms has segments that connect to one another along a direction other than the first direction, via a user-operable coupling. The platforms are preferably rectangular, and are connected at their long ends. The segments of each platform are also preferably rectangular, but they are connected along their long sides. In such embodiments, the connection between platforms is perpendicular to the length of the rack, while the connection between segments is parallel to the length of the rack. The segments of individual platforms are preferably coupled together with snap fit connections, and supported from their undersides by transverse supports, and the transverse supports are supported from their undersides by longitudinal supports. The transverse supports are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20060127647
    Abstract: Floor mats comprising two layers bonded together with an undulating boundary between them. The surface color and/or surface texture of the first layer being different from the surface color and/or surface texture of the second layer. The mats having an interlocking periphery boundary adapted so the mats can be interlocked with adjoining mats to form a continuous planar mat flooring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Bruce Thrush
  • Patent number: D532238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thrush
  • Patent number: D543764
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: The Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thrush
  • Patent number: D603640
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thrush
  • Patent number: D604082
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thrush
  • Patent number: D604083
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce A. Thrush