Patents by Inventor James E. Winner

James E. Winner 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).

  • Publication number: 20120026331
    Abstract: The invention provides notification externally of a vehicle that the vehicle's seatbelts are not being used or are being used improperly. In a first embodiment, an external lamp is connected to a seat belt interlock. If a seat belt is being used properly during vehicle operations, the external lamp will not be illuminated, but if the seat belt is not being used or is being used improperly during vehicle operations, the external lamp will be illuminated. In a second embodiment, a transmitter generates a signal if a seat belt is not being used or is being used improperly during vehicle operations. The signal is transmitted to a receiver that is in electrical communication with a camera in the immediate vicinity. Upon receipt of such a signal, the camera and a video recorder will be activated and a visual image or a sequence of visual images of the vehicle will be taken and recorded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: James E. Winner, JR., Donna C. Winner
  • Patent number: 6400042
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle wherein a personal identification unit is carried by an authorized operator of said motor vehicle and includes means for identifying its location in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. A vehicle control unit mounted onto the motor vehicle, has a first and second condition with means for allowing operation of the motor vehicle when the control unit is in the first condition and means for inhibiting operation of the motor vehicle when said control unit is in the second condition and means for shifting the control unit into the second condition at a time subsequent to removal of the identification device from the vicinity of the motor vehicle and/or upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition of movement of the vehicle subsequent to removal of the identification device from the vicinity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: James E. Winner, Jr., John Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 6055438
    Abstract: An emergency communication system for use with an automatic teller machine is armed when an authorized user of the machine inserts his or her ATM card to access the machine for a banking service. An emergency 911 button on the machine can be depressed by the user to establish communication with a dispatcher at a 911 emergency station following access and prior to completion of the banking transaction, and the communication system remains armed for a predetermined period of time following completion of the banking transaction and return of the ATM card to the user, whereby communication with the 911 station can be achieved by pressing the 911 emergency button following completion of the transaction with the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty LLC
    Inventor: James E. Winner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5836186
    Abstract: A motor vehicle security device for protecting against the cutting of an automobile steering wheel which includes a protective member made of cut-resistant,material for covering the steering wheel rim and a connector for attaching the protective member to the steering wheel rim. The protective member radially and circumferentially overlies the steering wheel rim to limit access to the rim and protect against cutting of the rim. The protective member is collapsible for convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Winner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5755123
    Abstract: A motor vehicle security device for protecting against the cutting of an automobile steering wheel which includes a protective member made of cut-resistant material for covering the steering wheel rim and a connector for attaching the protective member to the steering wheel rim. The protective member radially and circumferentially overlies the steering wheel rim to limit access to the rim and protect against cutting of the rim. The protective member is collapsible for convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Winner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5735149
    Abstract: A motor vehicle security device for protecting against the cutting of an automobile steering wheel which includes a protective member made of cut-resistant material for covering the steering wheel rim and a connector for attaching the protective member to the steering wheel rim. The protective member radially and circumferentially overlies the steering wheel rim to limit access to the rim and protect against cutting of the rim. The protective member is collapsible for convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Winner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5677668
    Abstract: A security system or preventing unauthorized removal of a vehicle accessory such as a radio from a mounted position on the vehicle comprises a dispensing container containing a pressurized protective material such as a pepper gas and having a dispensing valve displaceable from a closed position to an open position in which the protective material is dispensed from the container. A valve actuating member is responsive to displacement of the accessory from its mounted position to displace the dispensing valve from the closed to the open position whereby the protective material is dispensed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Winner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5600979
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system is provided comprising a mechanical security device mounted in a vehicle to limit rotation of the vehicle steering wheel and an electrically operable security device having armed and disarmed modes in which the starting motor circuit for the vehicle is respectively opened and closed independent of the vehicle ignition switch. The mechanical device includes a key operated locking mechanism for mounting and dismounting the device, the electrically operable device includes a key operated switch mechanism for arming and disarming the device, and the key operated locking mechanism and key operated switch mechanism are operable by the same common key. The electrically operable security device includes circuitry for maintaining the starting motor circuit of the vehicle open in response to an effort to bypass the key operated switch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Winner, John Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 5598142
    Abstract: A security system for preventing unauthorized removal of a vehicle accessory such as a radio from a mounted position on the vehicle comprises a dispensing container containing a pressurized protective material such as a pepper gas and having a dispensing valve displaceable from a closed position to an open position in which the protective material is dispensed from the container. A valve actuating member is responsive to displacement of the accessory from its mounted position to displace the dispensing valve from the closed to the open position whereby the protective material is dispensed from said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Winner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5531344
    Abstract: An actuator for a personal protective spray canister having a container for holding a pressurized protective material capable of being propelled in a gaseous cloud to at least partially disable a person and a manipulative valving device protruding outwardly from the container, with the valving device having an outlet for directing the gaseous cloud from the container, and a valve element movable between a first biased normal position closing the outlet and a second depressed operative position opening the outlet to allow the material to be propelled from the container as a cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Winner
  • Patent number: 5490304
    Abstract: An improved doorstop provides increased safety along with simplified operation over previous doorstops. The doorstop is adapted to be received in a floor mounted receptacle in close proximity to the door. The device includes a door contact member which pivots from a first position in contact with a fully closed door to a second position which permits the door to be opened a limited but finite distance. There is no need to remove the device from the floor receptacle to permit limited movement of the door, thus affording increased protection against forced entry. The improved doorstop is useful both on sliding doors as well as hinged doors. Several alternative embodiments of the improved doorstop are shown and described. When used with a hinged wooden door, the doorstop optionally includes the use of a rigid plate which may be affixed to the door to protect the door from damage by the device and to distribute force exerted against the door over a larger surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Winner International Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Winner, Jr., L. David Carlo
  • Patent number: 4961331
    Abstract: A motor vehicle security system prevents unauthorized removal of a foot pedal-steering wheel lock by means of structural reinforcement of the steering wheel to prevent destructive severing of the wheel rim which would enable removal of the lock. A cut-resistant steel cable is embedded in the steering wheel rim to enhance the resistance of the wheel to severing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: James E. Winner