Patents by Inventor Louis E. Hough

Louis E. Hough 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: 5503274
    Abstract: An item-in-a-bottle generally includes a container having the general appearance of a fully intact soft drink bottle. The container has an inwardly curving lower wall portion which defines a large orifice in the bottom of the container. A deformable item, which may be a toy, having at least one dimension greater than the diameter of the container and is inserted through the large orifice. The bottom of the container is inserted into an opaque base which covers the large orifice in the bottom of the container. The opaque base conceals the large orifice on the bottom of the container from view, thereby providing the appearance of a fully intact soft drink bottle. The process for molding the bottle will preferably be by blow-molding. This provides extra clarity, flexibility and is unbreakable. Many products such as sporting items, candy and flowers can be encased in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Heidi-Ho Corp.
    Inventors: Jerri L. Toffler, Louis E. Hough
  • Patent number: 4783116
    Abstract: A frame assembly for mounting a sunroof panel in the roof of a vehicle includes top and bottom portions respectively disposed above and below the roof and which are secured together with the roof tightly sandwiched therebetween. The bottom frame portion includes a lateral channel-like extension for supporting a weatherstrip which engages and supports the sunroof panel. The top and bottom frame portions include a first set of opposing flanges between which the vehicle's roof is tightly sandwiched and a second set of opposing flanges between which a portion of the weatherstrip is trapped, thereby mounting the weatherstrip on the frame and creating a positive seal around the entire perimeter of the frame which prevents moisture from entering the vehicle between the weatherstrip and the frame. The frame portions are drawn together against the roof by screws extending through the bottom frame portion into a continuous rib in the top frame portion which is received within a channel in the bottom frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Empire Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis E. Hough
  • Patent number: 4666206
    Abstract: A frame assembly for mounting a sunroof panel in the roof of a vehicle includes top and bottom frame portions respectively disposed above and below the roof and which secured together with the roof tightly sandwiched therebetween. The bottom frame portion includes a lateral channel-like extension for supporting a weatherstrip which engages and supports the sunroof panel. The top and bottom frame portions include a first set of opposing flanges between which the vehicle's roof is tightly sandwiched and a second set of opposing flanges between which a portion of the weatherstrip is trapped, thereby mounting the weatherstrip on the frame and creating a positive seal around the entire perimeter of the frame which prevents moisture from entering the vehicle between the weatherstrip and the frame. The frame portions are drawn together against the roof by screws extending through the bottom frame portion into a continuous rib in the top frame portion which is received within a channel in the bottom frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Empire Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis E. Hough
  • Patent number: 4395939
    Abstract: An air screen for vehicle sunroofs extends between the leading edges of an open sunroof panel and the vehicle's roof to regulate intake air flow and prevent potentially dangerous projectiles from being carried into the vehicle's interior along with the air flow. The air screen is formed from flexible plastic material and deflects into a storage position when the sunroof panel is pivoted from an open scoop position to a closed position. The air screen may be secured to either the sunroof panel or the roof and consists of two halves slidable relative to each other so as to permit regulation of the air flow therethrough. The air screen also functions as an air deflector to prevent wind buffeting effects when the panel is completely removed from the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Inventors: Louis E. Hough, Walter J. De Vigili
  • Patent number: 4393754
    Abstract: An air deflection assembly particularly adapted for use with vehicle sunroofs includes a substantially planar, air deflecting member pivotally mounted in spaced relationship to a leading edge of an opening in the vehicle's roof. A support comprising a pair of spaced, parallel rods has the opposite ends thereof respectively pivotally connected to the deflection member and a frame surrounding the periphery of the sunroof opening to define a pair of transversely extending pivot axes which permit adjustment of both the elevation and inclination of the deflection member. In an elevated position above the vehicle's roof, the deflection member functions to prevent wind buffeting noise. The inclination of the deflection member may be readily adjusted to deflect air passing over the sunroof into the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Inventors: Louis E. Hough, Walter J. De Vigili
  • Patent number: 4394044
    Abstract: A removable sunroof panel adapted to be mounted in overlying relationship in an opening in the roof of a vehicle includes front and rear mounting assemblies which allow either or both the front and rear of the panel to be held in an open position above the vehicle's roof. Each of the mounting assemblies includes a lever handle pivotally connected to the sunroof panel and a latching assembly for receiving and locking the lever handle in a plurality of positions. A frame molding mounted in the sunroof opening includes a first section overlying the roof, and second and third sections below the roof defining a channel for receiving a resilient seal against which the roof panel seats; the second and third sections include a pair of opposed grooves for captivating a pair of ribs in the seal to retain the seal in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Inventors: Louis E. Hough, Walter J. De Vigili, David C. Shifflett
  • Patent number: 4350365
    Abstract: The snow ski braking device comprises a bracket adapted to be mounted on the top face of the ski and having a pair of pivoted brake members straddling each side of the ski and biased to pivot downwardly to penetrate into the skiing surface when forward motion of the ski is arrested. Each brake member has a vertically oriented lower blade and a top horizontal paddle which cooperate to provide the desired braking action without interferring with the normally intended use of the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Emprie Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. DeVigili, Louis E. Hough
  • Patent number: 4216983
    Abstract: A detachable sunroof panel is adapted to be secured within an opening formed in the roof of an automobile. The securement is carried out by a system of latches, all of which act on the panel to compress a resilient seal member extending about the periphery of the opening between the roof panel and a lip portion formed on a frame secured within the opening. The latch system includes a latch-handle mechanism located at the rear edge of the panel comprised of an overcenter linkage which may also be detached for removal of the sunroof panel. The latch-handle may be moved to a latched position, or to a second vent position allowing movement of the rear portion of the sunroof panel upwardly to create a vent opening. The latch system further includes a pair of latch-hinges located along the front edge of the panel, each of which also comprise a releasable overcenter linkage adapted to compress the peripheral seal in the secured or locked position and upon release allow detachment and removal of the sunroof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Empire Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis E. Hough, David C. Shifflett
  • Patent number: 4154474
    Abstract: A detachable sunroof panel is adapted to be secured within an opening formed in the roof of an automobile. The securement is carried out by a system of latches, all of which act on the panel to compress a resilient seal member extending about the periphery of the opening between the roof panel and a lip portion formed on a frame secured within the opening. The latch system includes a latch-handle mechanism located at the rear edge of the panel comprised of an overcenter linkage which may also be detached for removal of the sunroof panel. The latch-handle may be moved to a latched position, or to a second vent position allowing movement of the rear portion of the sunroof panel upwardly to create a vent opening. The latch system further includes a pair of latch-hinges located along the front edge of the panel, each of which also comprise a releasable overcenter linkage adapted to compress the peripheral seal in the secured or locked position and upon release allow detachment and removal of the sunroof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Empire Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis E. Hough, David C. Shifflett