Patents by Inventor Erin McLaughlin

Erin McLaughlin 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).

  • Personal flotation device with passive location and identification system and method of use
    Patent number: 10562601
    Abstract: A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), in the form of a vest or like garment, and having a quiver-like receptacle attachment, hinged to the garment for flexibility, is provided. The quiver attachment houses a mast and flag attached to a small flotation device, such that when the user enters the water the flotation device causes the mast and attached flag to rise so that the flag can be seen from a distance and the wearer identified thereby. The quiver element is attached such that it can place the extended mast and flag unobtrusively and at a distance from the wearer's head for comfort. The quiver element comprises a housing for the mast and flotation device and is permeable to water; the quiver element is shaped to guide the mast and flag linearly at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the wearer. The device allows for the flag to be interchanged with other flags so as to better identify the wearer from other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Erin McLaughlin
  • PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE WITH PASSIVE LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
    Publication number: 20190009869
    Abstract: A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), in the form of a vest or like garment, and having a quiver-like receptacle attachment, hinged to the garment for flexibility, is provided. The quiver attachment houses a mast and flag attached to a small flotation device, such that when the user enters the water the flotation device causes the mast and attached flag to rise so that the flag can be seen from a distance and the wearer identified thereby. The quiver element is attached such that it can place the extended mast and flag unobtrusively and at a distance from the wearer's head for comfort. The quiver element comprises a housing for the mast and flotation device and is permeable to water; the quiver element is shaped to guide the mast and flag linearly at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the wearer. The device allows for the flag to be interchanged with other flags so as to better identify the wearer from other users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventor: Erin McLaughlin
  • Life vest flag system
    Patent number: D829382
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Erin McLaughlin
  • Flag safety device
    Patent number: D926388
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Erin McLaughlin