Patents by Inventor Joyce Popendorf

Joyce Popendorf 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: 8528218
    Abstract: Embodiments of a sundial. Various embodiments of the sundial disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may comprise an at least substantially spherical curved reflector that may be at least partially transparent and at least partially reflective such that light from the sun can pass through a surface of the reflector and be reflected off of an internal surface of the reflector to reflect an image of the sun from the internal surface. The sundial may further comprise a dial face for viewing of a reflected image of the sun to provide at least an approximate indication of the time based on the position of the reflected image of the sun on the dial face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Heliosphere Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Patent number: 8387265
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the sundials disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Heliosphere Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Publication number: 20120151784
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the sundials disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Patent number: 8091245
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a sundial. Various embodiments of the sundial disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Publication number: 20110225835
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a sundial. Various embodiments of the sundial disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Patent number: 7950159
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a sundial. Various embodiments of the sundial disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf
  • Publication number: 20100236083
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a sundial. Various embodiments of the sundial disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Joyce Popendorf