Patents by Inventor Frank S. Fountain

Frank S. Fountain 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: 5456648
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for exercise in which a preselected work input to an exercise machine that is associated with an award-granting switch triggers a reward. The input can be a particular rate of work as measured by rotational speed or linear motion or a summation of the time during which a threshold level of work was exceeded. The reward can be turning on a TV or like electrical apparatus or it can be a change in the exercise machine and regime. An exercise machine incorporating the award-granting switch is disclosed in which the reward is a change in the angle to horizontal at which the exercise is performed. This change can make the exercise harder or easier depending on the exercise protocol desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventors: Peter J. Edinburg, Frank S. Fountain, William G. Johanson
  • Patent number: 4977853
    Abstract: A device for measuring the thickness of a wet or dry paint film applied on a substrate without contacting the film is disclosed. The device uses an optical sensor positioned centrally and coaxially with an inductive eddy-current proximity sensor. The optical sensor measures the distance between the device and the upper surface of the paint film at specular reflection angle. The proximity sensor measures the distance between the device and the upper surface of the substrate. The two distances measured, when compared, produce the film thickness value. The device is capable of accurately measuring thickness of various paint films, such as flat, glossy and metal-flake containing paint films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Allan F. Falcoff, Frank S. Fountain, Donald K. Pusey
  • Patent number: 4896227
    Abstract: A method of determining the angular and radial location of defects causing dropouts on a magnetic disc, and using this information to position individual dropouts in the field of view of a microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: E. I. DuPont De Nemours & Co.
    Inventors: Frank S. Fountain, Donald K. Pusey
  • Patent number: 4812923
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating dropouts. Information as to dropouts in a length of tape is stored in memory and then used to compute data as to location of the dropouts. The data is used to position a tape-inspecting instrument such as a microscope over successive dropouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Frank S. Fountain, Donald K. Pusey, Keith A. McCloy
  • Patent number: 4686563
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating dropouts. Information as to dropouts in a length of video tape is stored in memory and then used to compute data as to location of the dropouts. The data is used to position a tape-inspecting instrument such as a microscope over successive dropouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Frank S. Fountain, Donald K. Pusey
  • Patent number: 4295360
    Abstract: A single-pin guide tensiometer fitted with strain-detecting element that is flattened to respond only in a direction perpendicular to the flat faces of the elements. Moreover by rotating the tensiometer 90 degrees, threadline tension in the opposite direction is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Frank S. Fountain