Patents by Inventor John J Daniels

John J Daniels 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: 5762584
    Abstract: A variable resistance exercise device provides a variable resisting force in response to a user applied force. The variable resistance exercise device includes at least one rotating force transmitting means for inputting a user applied force as a rotational force to be resisted, and at least one force transmission member for transmitting the user applied force. The user applied force is resisted by varying the viscosity of a viscosity variable fluid which surround plates rotated by the user applied force. Thus a braking force is applied to actively resist the user applied force. In accordance with the invention, a multi-configurable multi-programmable exercise device is provided which may be used in a variety of exercise modes to provide a resistive force to a user-applied force during a range of motion of a particular exercise. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variable resistance means resists a user-supplied force in one rotational direction only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: NordicTrack, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5749533
    Abstract: An antibacklashing fishing reel having an electronically variable brake for preventing backlash. A spool holds and releases a length of fishing line. An electronically variable brake is coupled with the spool for applying a variable braking force to resist rotation of the spool during casting to prevent the spool from overrunning the length of fishing line being released from the spool. An overrun status of the length of fishing line being released from the spool is determined, and a status signal dependent thereon is generated. A controller receives the status signal and controls the electronically variable brake to apply the variable braking force to resist rotation of the spool during casting so that a progressively greater braking force is applied when the overrun status indicates that the spool is overrunning the length of fishing line being released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5573088
    Abstract: A variable resistance device capable of utilizing a variable viscosity material, such as an electro-rheological fluid or a magneto-rheological fluid. In one embodiment, a moving member is provided having at least one projecting member for defining a flow path of the variable viscosity material, and for maintaining a precise gap distance between the moving member and other components of the variable resistance device. The moving member engages a shaft so that the moving member is rotatable by the shaft about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and is also slidable on the shaft along the longitudinal axis. A controllable force dampener device is also provided. In one embodiment, a first expandable bellows and a second expandable is seperated by an ER fluid (or MR fluid) valve for controllably restricting the flow of the variable viscosity material between the first bellows and the second bellows to effect active force dampening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5424822
    Abstract: A printer for forming an image by image-wise exposure of a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. The observable image produced may have a three-dimensional topographical structure, such as to form the bumps of the Braille alphabet, or to replicate the surface variations and texture of brush strokes of a conventional painting. A digitized photographic image can be printed in full color, and the photographic image can be computer enhanced. A locally variable attractive field member having an operable surface receives an image in a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. An optomagnetic and/or optoelectric coating on the attractive field member receives light information and generates an attractive field to selectively apply and vary a respective local attractive field associated with discrete locations of the operable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5409435
    Abstract: A variable resistance exercise device provides a variable resisting force in response to a user applied force. The variable resistance exercise device includes at least one rotating force transmitting means for inputting a user applied force as a rotational force to be resisted, and at least one force transmission member for transmitting the user applied force. The user applied force is resisted by varying the viscosity of a viscosity variable fluid which surround plates rotated by the user applied force. Thus a braking force is applied to actively resist the user applied force. In accordance with the invention, a multi-configurable multi-programmable exercise device is provided which may be used in a variety of exercise modes to provide a resistive force to a user-applied force during a range of motion of a particular exercise. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variable resistor resists a user-supplied force in one rotational direction only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5335366
    Abstract: A radiation shielding apparatus for a radio transmitting device, such as a cellular phone. A radiation shield is disposed between a radiation component and a user to prevent unwanted exposure of the user to emanating radiation from the radiation emanating component. The cellular telephone radio transmitting device may be a hand-held cellular telephone, and the radiation emanating component may be an internal or external antenna or any other electromagnetic radiation source, such as a transmitter. The radiation shield can be retrofitted to an existing cellular telephone, or may be designed specific for different models of cellular phones. The radiation shield can absorb, block and/or reflect electromagnetic wave radiation to shield the user of such cellular telephones from unwanted and possibly harmful exposure to electromagnetic wave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5252958
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided by which human and dolphin participants may actively progress towards a mutually understandable meaningful communication system. The apparatus includes a three dimensional grid matrix having X and Y electrode wires stacked on top of themselves to form the three dimensional grid. This three dimensional grid system is preferably enclosed in an electrical rheological fluid which is responsive to an electric potential applied across it. The three dimension grid matrix is driven so that selected pixels of the three dimensional grid are activated, and it is thus possible to memorialize or form a three dimensional image of an object or communicable symbols in the electrical rheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5248113
    Abstract: A tension responsive fishing apparatus is provided which includes a pole member having an interior. The interior of the pole member is filled with a variable viscosity fluid, such as, electrical rheological fluid, magnetic-powder dispersed fluid, or the like. A controlled potential may be applied to the variable viscosity fluid which causes the variable viscosity fluid to vary in viscosity dependent on the amount of potential applied thereacross. In other words, depending on the amount of potential applied to the variable viscosity fluid disposed in the interior of the pole member, the flexure of the pole member may be selectively varied from extremes of high flexibility to high rigidity. An improved reel member is provided which varies a resistance applied to a bobbin member which is effected to control the release of fishing line. The varying resistance is controlled in response to input signals inputted dependent on tension sensed in the fishing line and/or a value selected by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5231450
    Abstract: A printer for forming an image by image-wise exposure of a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. The observable image produced in accordance with the present invention may have a three-dimensional topographical structure, such as to form the bumps of the braille alphabet, or to replicate the surface variations and texture of brush strokes of a conventional painting. A locally variable attractive field plate having an operable surface is provided for receiving an image in a layer of chromogenic microcapsules. A plurality of individually controllable attractive field sources are provided, each in operable connection with a corresponding discrete location of the operable surface. Each individually controllable attractive field source is controlled to selectively apply and vary a respective local attractive field associated with each corresponding discrete location of the operable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5195267
    Abstract: A tension responsive fishing apparatus is provided which includes a pole member having an interior. The interior of the pole member is filled with a variable viscosity fluid, such as, electrical rheological fluid, magnetic-powder dispersed fluid, or the like. A controlled potential may be applied to the variable viscosity fluid which causes the variable viscosity fluid to vary in viscosity dependent on the amount of potential applied thereacross. In other words, depending on the amount of potential applied to the variable viscosity fluid disposed in the interior of the pole member, the flexure of the pole member may be selectively varied from extremes of high flexibility to high rigidity. An improved reel member is provided which varies a resistance applied to a bobbin member which is effected to control the release of fishing line. The varying resistance is controlled in response to input signals inputted dependent on tension sensed in the fishing line and/or a value selected by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5195444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus designed to launch a sailboard out of the water while the sailboard is being sailed on the water. The apparatus comprises launching means including a flap which is submergible in the water and pivotally supported at one end of the flap near the bottom of the sailboard. An angle of attack of the flap relative to the water is varied by a positioning means. The submerged flap is thus presented at an oblique angle to the incompressible water which thus acts as a ramp to launch the sailboard out of the water. In an alternative embodiment, a hydrofoil wing acts to lift the sailboard relative to the water surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 4832475
    Abstract: A conventional mirror will quickly fog when exposed to the extremely humid environment of the shower. This is because the moisture contained in the warm ambient air condenses on the relatively cooler mirror surface. An effective way to remedy this problem is to heat the mirror surface to a sufficient temperature to combat condensation of the moisture in the ambient air. This invention provides an effective method and apparatus to combat fog formation. This invention utilizes relatively simple construction to provide a low cost, safe, highly portable, efficient and effective method and apparatus to provide a non fogging shower mirror. To achieve this, the inventive device (10) incorporates a mirror, attached to a reservoir (14). This reservoir (14) holds a thermal mass of warm water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: John J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 4644226
    Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp comprising a discharge vessel (3) enclosed by an outer envelope (1) provided with a neck (10) which is adjoined by a sleeve (20) of a lamp cap (2). The lamp cap (2) accommodates an electrical circuit provided with a semiconductor switching element (26) which controls the discharge current in the operating condition of the lamp. The semiconductor switching element (26) is provided with a cooling member (24) which is preferably secured to the sleeve (20). This lamp may be used without further expedients in combination with a stabilization ballast not adapted to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marinus G. Vernooij, John A. J. Daniels