Patents by Inventor Gregory E. Needel
Gregory E. Needel 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).
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Patent number: 9616983Abstract: A vibration-powered device adapted for flotation and propulsion on an upper surface in a liquid. The device having a body with a top side adapted to be at least partially disposed above the surface of the liquid, and a bottom side adapted to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the liquid. A vibration mechanism is disposed in the body. A propulsion fin is connected to the body. The fin includes a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the liquid surface, a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface. The vibration mechanism is adapted to oscillate the free distal end of the propulsion fin upward and downward.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Robert H. Mimlitch, Jr., Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Paul David Copioli
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Patent number: 9238178Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guiliang Li
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Publication number: 20160009348Abstract: A vibration-powered device adapted for flotation and propulsion on an upper surface in a liquid. The device having a body with a top side adapted to be at least partially disposed above the surface of the liquid, and a bottom side adapted to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the liquid. A vibration mechanism is disposed in the body. A propulsion fin is connected to the body. The fin includes a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the liquid surface, a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface. The vibration mechanism is adapted to oscillate the free distal end of the propulsion fin upward and downward.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Robert H. Mimlitch, JR., Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Paul David Copioli
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Patent number: 9162154Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera, Gregory E. Needel
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Patent number: 9149731Abstract: A vibration-powered device adapted for flotation and propulsion on an upper surface in a liquid. The device having a body with a top side adapted to be at least partially disposed above the surface of the liquid, and a bottom side adapted to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the liquid. A vibration mechanism is disposed in the body. A propulsion fin is connected to the body. The fin includes a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the liquid surface, a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface. The vibration mechanism is adapted to oscillate the free distal end of the propulsion fin upward and downward.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Robert H. Mimlitch, Jr., Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Paul David Copioli
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Patent number: 9050541Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, III, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Joel Reagan Carter
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Publication number: 20140024288Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guiliang Li
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Patent number: 8616463Abstract: An apparatus includes modular track sections adapted to be assembled into a track for autonomous vehicles. The track is configured such that the vehicles tend to stay on the track and that allows the autonomous vehicles to enter and exit the track from at least one side of the track.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Gregory Lavendar
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Patent number: 8591281Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guijiang Li
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Publication number: 20130171910Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, a vibrating mechanism, and a plurality of appendages each having an appendage base proximal to the housing and an appendage tip distal from the housing. One or more of the appendages are adapted to cause the apparatus to move across a surface in a forward direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip, and the appendages include two or more appendages disposed such that the appendage tips of the two or more appendages are adapted to contact opposing surfaces to produce a net force in a direction generally defined by a longitudinal offset between the appendage base and the appendage tip of the two or more appendages as the vibrating mechanism causes the apparatus to vibrate. The net force can allow the apparatus to climb when the opposing surfaces are inclined.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guijiang Lj
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Publication number: 20130084775Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera, Gregory E. Needel
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Publication number: 20120264341Abstract: A vibration-powered device adapted for flotation and propulsion on an upper surface in a liquid. The device having a body with a top side adapted to be at least partially disposed above the surface of the liquid, and a bottom side adapted to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the liquid. A vibration mechanism is disposed in the body. A propulsion fin is connected to the body. The fin includes a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the liquid surface, a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface. The vibration mechanism is adapted to oscillate the free distal end of the propulsion fin upward and downward.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Robert H. Mimlitch, JR., Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Paul David Copioli
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Publication number: 20120178339Abstract: An apparatus includes an appendage rotatably coupled to a body of a device adapted to move based on internally induced vibration of the device. The appendage can be attached directly to the body of the device or to a frame that is adapted to releasably attach to the device. The appendage is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation as vibration induces motion of the device. The device can include a body, an eccentric load, a rotational motor coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the eccentric load, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. At least one driving leg configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
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Publication number: 20120178340Abstract: An apparatus includes an appendage rotatably coupled to a body of a device adapted to move based on internally induced vibration of the device. The appendage can be attached directly to the body of the device or to a frame that is adapted to releasably attach to the device. The appendage is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation as vibration induces motion of the device. The device can include a body, an eccentric load, a rotational motor coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the eccentric load, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. At least one driving leg configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
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Publication number: 20120080533Abstract: An apparatus includes modular track sections adapted to be assembled into a track for autonomous vehicles. The track is configured such that the vehicles tend to stay on the track and that allows the autonomous vehicles to enter and exit the track from at least one side of the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Gregory Lavendar
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Publication number: 20100269654Abstract: A power tool having a base, a table disposed on the base, and a saw assembly attached to at least one of the base and the table. The saw assembly includes at least a cutting tool extending through the table and a dust exhaust disposed adjacent to the cutting tool. A hose is connected to the dust exhaust at one end. A dust port assembly is disposed on the base. The dust port assembly has a first input port connected to the hose, a second input port open to the base, and a first output port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Gregory E. Needel, Patrick W. Middleton