Patents by Inventor John L. Stephens

John L. Stephens 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: 5154348
    Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly sweeping a snow-gun nozzle through a desired angular range to more evenly distributed man-made snow produced by a snow-gun. Such apparatus comprises a bi-directional electric motor for driving a rotatably mounted snow-gun support in opposite directions about an axis of rotation, a pair of mechanical stops for limiting rotational movement of the snow-gun support to a predetermined angular range which defines a maximum sweep angle for the nozzle, and circuitry for sensing motor current. A comparator circuit, operatively connected to the output of the current-sensing circuit, functions to reverse the current flow through the motor, thereby changing the direction of rotational movement of the snow-gun support, whenever the current through the motor exceeds a preset threshold level. Such level is reached whenever the support's rotational movement has been limited by one of the two mechanical stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Ratnik Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ronald Ratnik, John L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5031832
    Abstract: A remote-controlled snow-making system responds to certain electrical signals to control the quality (i.e., moisture content) of the snow produced by such system and the direction in which the snow is projected. The system comprises a plurality of conventional snow-guns, each being connected to water and compressed air supplies via motor-controlled valves. The relative settings of such valves determines the water-to-air ratio within the gun and, hence, snow quality. Each snow-gun is movably mounted so that the direction in which it projects a spray of machine-made snow can be adjusted in both elevation and azimuth. Separate motors control the elevation and azimuth positions of each snow-gun. A control circuit, remotely addressable, e.g., by radio waves, controls the operation of the motor-controlled valves and the gun-position motors. By virtue of the invention, man-made snow can be produced more efficiently, more reliably, and with substantially less human involvement and, hence, cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Ratnik Industries Inc.
    Inventors: H. Ronald Ratnik, Mark R. Meadows, John L. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4947298
    Abstract: A bed lighting apparatus is set forth wherein at least one, elongate elastomeric pad switch member is arranged between a mattress and box spring of an associated bed. Upon an individual arising from the bed, contact is made within the switch to illuminate a series of lights of conventional configuration, or alternatively LED lighting may be utilized. A manual over-ride switch is also utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: John L. Stephen
  • Patent number: D291515
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventors: Millie B. Stephens, John L. Stephens