Patents by Inventor John Frankum

John Frankum 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: 5351950
    Abstract: A substantially non-metallic golf cup provides a metallic sound indicating that a golf ball has dropped into the cup. A non-metallic carriage having a metallic portion is suspended above a metallic plate. A golf ball dropping into the cup forces the carriage to be displaced causing the carriage metallic portion to make contact with the metallic plate thus producing the metallic sound. A transparent cover on the carriage is hermetically sealed for protecting advertising material contained within the cover for viewing when approaching the golf cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventor: John Frankum
  • Patent number: 5278732
    Abstract: A portable light and reflector for use on the spoke of a bicycle wheel or on other similar vehicles uses a centrifugal switch to complete an electrical circuit between a light source and power source. The centrifugal switch responds to the centrifugal force occurring from the rotation of the wheel. The centrifugal switch, power source and lighting circuitry is mounted within a water tight chamber of the light and reflector housing. The housing contains both translucent and reflective surfaces to take advantage to light incident upon the reflector from outside sources as well as transmitting light and reflecting light from the light source provided. The portable light and reflector disclosed use an LED and lithium battery and is has an easy method for assembling and attaching the housing to the spoke of the bicycle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: John Frankum