Patents by Inventor John M. Rotharmel

John M. Rotharmel 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: 9561429
    Abstract: A front cabinet panel piece, a back panel cabinet piece, a first side cabinet panel piece, and second side cabinet panel piece, each having a plurality of pre-formed openings, are arranged relative to one another to form an amusement game cabinet. The plurality of pre-formed openings are used to accept a corresponding plurality of knock-down hardware pieces each including a fastener locking component and a fastener. The fastener locking components are held within respective first ones of the pre-formed openings and the fastener is inserted into second ones of the pre-formed openings that are aligned with the first ones of the plurality of pre-formed openings. Each fastener is mated to its corresponding fastener locking component to complete assembly of the amusement game cabinet. The assembled amusement game cabinet is used to support a playfield and the playfield, in turn, is used to provide additional structural support to the amusement game cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Stern Pinball, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Michael Redoble, John M. Rotharmel
  • Publication number: 20160121203
    Abstract: An electromagnet assembly for use with an amusement game having a playfield and an object which moves across a surface of the playfield. The electromagnet assembly includes a magnet core constructed from a ferromagnetic material, a protector element constructed from a non-ferromagnetic material which is attached to a first end of the magnet core, and a magnet connector assembly disposable around the magnet core for activating the magnet core under control of a processing device of the amusement game. The protector element surrounds the magnet core and is arranged relative to the magnet core such that a surface of the protector element which is to be exposed on the first surface of the playfield is flush to a surface of the magnet core which is also to be exposed on the first surface of the playfield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: George A. Gomez, Michael Redoble, John M. Rotharmel
  • Patent number: 6739490
    Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners into a workpiece includes a fastener supply device removably attachable to the tool and supplying the fasteners to the channel, and a workpiece contact element. There is a first alignment mechanism on the nosepiece and a second alignment mechanism on the workpiece contact element. A threaded adjusting member located on the workpiece contact element and a threadable adjustable mechanism on the nosepiece are configured engage with each other, such that movement of the workpiece contact element due to rotation of the threadable adjustable mechanism causes the first alignment mechanism to engage the second alignment structure. The tool has a sensor held by the housing and a detector within the fastener supply configured to sense the length of the fasteners and communicate the length to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Shkolnikov, John M. Rotharmel
  • Patent number: 6679414
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for driving a fastener from a detachable magazine. The tool includes a tool housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a power source enclosed by the housing. A nosepiece is attached to the housing and has a channel and a first alignment structure. The magazine is removably attached to the tool and has a magazine housing and a shear block that is mounted to the proximal end of the magazine housing. There is a second alignment structure and a face on the shear block such that the channel and the face form a barrel when the first alignment structure is engaged with the second alignment structure and the magazine is removably attached to the tool. Upon firing of the tool, the fastener is propelled by the power source, through the barrel and into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Rotharmel
  • Publication number: 20030230622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for driving a fastener from a detachable magazine. The tool includes a tool housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a power source enclosed by the housing. A nosepiece is attached to the housing and has a channel and a first alignment structure. The magazine is removably attached to the tool and has a magazine housing and a shear block that is mounted to the proximal end of the magazine housing. There is a second alignment structure and a face on the shear block such that the channel and the face form a barrel when the first alignment structure is engaged with the second alignment structure and the magazine is removably attached to the tool. Upon firing of the tool, the fastener is propelled by the power source, through the barrel and into the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: John M. Rotharmel