Patents by Inventor Craig D. Gates

Craig D. Gates 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: 20200388278
    Abstract: A hearing protection system including an earplug displaceable from an open position to a closed position in response to a signal received from a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism responsive to a voice input, to cause the earplug to displace between the open position and the closed position based at least in part on receiving a predetermined keyword.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates
  • Patent number: 10130517
    Abstract: A hearing protection system including an earplug moveably displaceable in a plane covering an ear of a user from an open position to a closed position in response to a signal received from a trigger mechanism. When in the open position, the earplug is positioned adjacent to the ear of the user to allow the user to hear ambient sound at an unchanged volume. When in the closed position, the earplug is positioned over the ear of the user to at least partly block the ambient sound and allow the user to hear the ambient sound at a reduced volume that is less than the unchanged volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Craig D Gates
  • Publication number: 20170252218
    Abstract: A hearing protection system includes a trigger mechanism that causes earplugs to displace between an open position and a closed position. The trigger mechanism is responsive to movement of a device and causes the earplugs to displace from the open position to the closed position based at least in part on a position of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates
  • Publication number: 20170252217
    Abstract: A hearing protection system including an earplug moveably displaceable in a plane covering an ear of a user from an open position to a closed position in response to a signal received from a trigger mechanism. When in the open position, the earplug is positioned adjacent to the ear of the user to allow the user to hear ambient sound at an unchanged volume. When in the closed position, the earplug is positioned over the ear of the user to at least partly block the ambient sound and allow the user to hear the ambient sound at a reduced volume that is less than the unchanged volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates
  • Patent number: 9033754
    Abstract: A releasable water ski binding system includes a trigger mechanism that causes releasable bindings to release a boot from a ski. The trigger mechanism senses a displacement of a portion of a body of a skier past a point of criticality and causes the releasable bindings to release the boot from the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Craig D Gates
  • Publication number: 20140342623
    Abstract: A releasable water ski binding system includes a trigger mechanism that causes releasable bindings to release a boot from a ski. The trigger mechanism senses a displacement of a portion of a body of a skier past a point of criticality and causes the releasable bindings to release the boot from the ski.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates
  • Publication number: 20110078936
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a tactile indication to an operator of a firearm of the number of cartridges remaining in the firearm's magazine. In some embodiments, an indication is provided when a critical few cartridges remain in the firearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates
  • Patent number: 7200964
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a firearm cartridge clip is disclosed, in which the clip has an elongated housing extending from an open top end to an enclosed bottom end defining an elongated cartridge storage chamber. The clip has a cartridge support seat mounted in the chamber above a separate elevator element. A chamber compression spring is mounted in the chamber between a base at the bottom end and the elevator element to urge the elevator element upward. A separate movement-restraining means is associated with the cartridge support seat to resist downward movement of the seat from the opening at the top end. The clip has a loading facilitating means for selectively rendering the compression spring ineffective to urge the seat upward to thereby reduce the manual effort required to load the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates
  • Patent number: 6032601
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a combination boat lift and dock 10 is described having two spaced pontoons with an intermediate boat support 18. Pivot arm structures 20, 22 pivotally interconnect the boat support 18 with the pontoons. A drive mechanism 24 is connected to the pivot arm structures 20, 22 for pivoting the arm structures downward and inward to move at least one of the pontoons laterally inward toward the other pontoon to raise the boat support to lift a stored boat out of the water. The drive mechanism 24 is also designed to pivot the arm structures upward and outward to move at least one of the pontoons away form the other pontoon to lower the boat support 18 and lowering the boat into the water. The arm structures are pivotally connected to the underside of the pontoons. The dock 10 further includes a pontoon stabilizing mechanism 26 for preventing the pontoons from rocking or tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Craig D. Gates