Patents by Inventor Dennis W. Hamill

Dennis W. Hamill 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: 20240107984
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for interactive fetching for one or more participants, such as pets. In one implementation, a projectile, such as a ball, is received in a receiver and transported through an opening into a feeder of a randomizer. One of a plurality of chutes is randomly selected using gravity, and the projectile is transported from the feeder into the selected chute. The chute generates a smooth roll along a ramp to a port, from which the projectile is ejected along an ejection path for the participant to retrieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Kit Morris, John Vanderveen, Smith Newnam, Christopher Owens
  • Patent number: 11812728
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for interactive fetching for one or more participants, such as pets. In one implementation, a projectile, such as a ball, is received in a receiver and transported through an opening into a feeder of a randomizer. One of a plurality of chutes is randomly selected using gravity, and the projectile is transported from the feeder into the selected chute. The chute generates a smooth roll along a ramp to a port, from which the projectile is ejected along an ejection path for the participant to retrieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Kit Morris, John Vanderveen, Smith Newnam, Chris Owens
  • Publication number: 20230240264
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: IFETCH, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Patent number: 11490595
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: IFETCH, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Publication number: 20200137981
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Patent number: 10524454
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Publication number: 20190174720
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Patent number: 10231437
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Publication number: 20190069519
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Publication number: 20190008120
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for interactive fetching for one or more participants, such as pets. In one implementation, a projectile, such as a ball, is received in a receiver and transported through an opening into a feeder of a randomizer. One of a plurality of chutes is randomly selected using gravity, and the projectile is transported from the feeder into the selected chute. The chute generates a smooth roll along a ramp to a port, from which the projectile is ejected along an ejection path for the participant to retrieve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Kit Morris, John Vanderveen, Smith Newnam, Chris Owens
  • Patent number: 10117419
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Publication number: 20160262351
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Patent number: 9345946
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Publication number: 20130228138
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Hamill Partners LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
  • Patent number: D719706
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Sunny Kim, Robert Von Letscher, Kit Morris
  • Patent number: D797385
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Smith Newnam, Nick Poteracki, Kit Morris
  • Patent number: D802856
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Nick Poteracki, Kit Morris, Smith Newnam
  • Patent number: D804110
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: iFetch, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Kit Morris, John Vanderveen, Chris Owens, Smith Newnam