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).

  • Patent number: 9616983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Robert H. Mimlitch, Jr., Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Paul David Copioli
  • Patent number: 9238178
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guiliang Li
  • Publication number: 20160009348
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 9162154
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera, Gregory E. Needel
  • Patent number: 9149731
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9050541
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, III, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Publication number: 20140024288
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guiliang Li
  • Patent number: 8616463
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8591281
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guijiang Li
  • Publication number: 20130171910
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Gregory E. Needel, Guijiang Lj
  • Publication number: 20130084775
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera, Gregory E. Needel
  • Publication number: 20120264341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Joel Reagan Carter, Robert H. Mimlitch, JR., Douglas Michael Galletti, Gregory E. Needel, Paul David Copioli
  • Publication number: 20120178339
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Publication number: 20120178340
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, Jeffrey R. Waegelin, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Publication number: 20120080533
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20100269654
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory E. Needel, Patrick W. Middleton