Patents by Inventor James V. Laabs

James V. Laabs 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: 5242169
    Abstract: A thermoformed thermoplastic housing has a putting deck having an inclined ramp leading to a platform with a rear and a side ball gutter return. A cup extends beneath the deck and has a ball return outlet. The cup has a false bottom portion hingedly attached to a cup sidewall. In the cup bottom is a switch having a contact and a lever which extends into the cup beneath the false bottom. A miniature phonograph is activated by the switch when a putted ball engages the false bottom and plays a prerecorded message. A thermoformed thermoplastic support member extends beneath the cup and supports the phonograph and switch and stabilizes the deck. To insure adequate dwell time of the ball on the false bottom, the false bottom pivots about a hinge axis which is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the switch lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Douglas & Laabs, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Laabs, Roxanne C. Douglas, Ronald G. Hellenbrand