Patents by Inventor Derek Pyner

Derek Pyner 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: 6052841
    Abstract: A system for preventing a toilet bowl from overflowing is disclosed. The system includes a sensor mounted to the toilet bowl at a location above a normal water level for the toilet bowl. The sensor is operative to sense the water level in the toilet bowl, and generates a warning signal if the level is above the normal level. The system further includes a valve connected to the water conduit feeding the toilet bowl, the valve being displaceable to respective open and closed positions. A drive assembly is connected to the valve to drive the valve to the open and closed positions. The system still further includes a processor electrically coupled with the sensor and the drive assembly to enable the drive assembly upon receiving the warning signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Envision This, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Mankin, Peter Chapman, Steve Kazemir, Derek Pyner
  • Patent number: 5940899
    Abstract: A system for preventing a toilet bowl from overflowing is disclosed. The system includes a sensor mounted to the toilet bowl at a location above a normal water level for the toilet bowl. The sensor is operative to sense the water level in the toilet bowl, and generates a warning signal if the level is above the normal level. The system further includes a valve connected to the water conduit feeding the toilet bowl, the valve being displaceable to respective open and closed positions. A drive assembly is connected to the valve to drive the valve to the open and closed positions. The system still further includes a processor electrically coupled with the sensor and the drive assembly to enable the drive assembly upon receiving the warning signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Envision This, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Mankin, Peter Chapman, Steve Kazemir, Derek Pyner
  • Patent number: 5729222
    Abstract: A user configurable control device is particularly suitable for household devices such as remote control transmitters. A variety of function control elements in the form of keys are provided to the consumer who selects a desired set of the control elements. Each of the control elements has a unique pattern of projections molded into the bottom surface. These projections are in operative alignment with an array of membrane switches disposed on a switching substrate within the control device. The control device includes a front panel that is perforated with a pattern of slots. Each of the control elements has a pair of projecting tabs that look the element onto the control panel so that it is securely retained thereon, but may be released if desired. The projections on the bottom of the element extend through the slots in the front panel to the switching substrate below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Jerry Iggulden
    Inventors: Jerry Iggulden, Richard Crack, Nigel Taylor, Bruce Stevens, Keith Constable, Derek Pyner
  • Patent number: 5579002
    Abstract: A user configurable control device is particularly suitable for household devices such as remote control transmitters. A variety of function control elements in the form of keys are provided to the consumer who selects a desired set of the control elements. Each of the control elements has a unique pattern of projections molded into the bottom surface. These projections are in operative alignment with an array of membrane switches disposed on a switching substrate within the control device. The control device includes a front panel that is perforated with a pattern of slots. Each of the control elements has a pair of projecting tabs that lock the element onto the control panel so that it is securely retained thereon, but may be released if desired. The projections on the bottom of the element extend through the slots in the front panel to the switching substrate below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Arthur D. Little Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Iggulden, Richard Crack, Nigel Taylor, Bruce Stevens, Keith Constable, Derek Pyner