Patents by Inventor Mark E. Ricks

Mark E. Ricks 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: 10434429
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Liontech Trains LLC
    Inventors: Louis G Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T Ricks, Mark E Ricks
  • Patent number: 9937430
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Louis G Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T Ricks, Mark E Ricks
  • Patent number: 9937431
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Louis G Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T Ricks, Mark E Ricks
  • Publication number: 20150306515
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Louis G. Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T. Ricks, Mark E. Ricks
  • Publication number: 20150306512
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Louis G. Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T. Ricks, Mark E. Ricks
  • Publication number: 20150108285
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Louis G Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T Ricks, Mark E Ricks
  • Publication number: 20150102178
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Louis G. Kovach, II, Neil Young, John T. Ricks, Mark E. Ricks
  • Patent number: 8892276
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Neil Young, Louis G. Kovach, II, Mark E. Ricks, John T. Ricks
  • Patent number: 8154227
    Abstract: A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Liontech Trains LLC
    Inventors: Neil Young, Louis G. Kovach, II, Mark E. Ricks, John T. Ricks
  • Patent number: 7926427
    Abstract: A model train car having a union with a force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor is configured to measure the amount of force acting on the coupler. The information gathered from the force sensor may work in conjunction with a communication link or a local control unit so that realistic train effects can be produced reflecting the change in force being felt by the model train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Liontech Trains LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Ricks, Neil Young, Louis G. Kovach, II, John T. Ricks
  • Patent number: 7458545
    Abstract: A model train system is provided, comprising a command originator, layout objects, and a communication link. The communication link may be established through the use of magnetic induction coils/transceivers placed at the ends of each layout object. Commands sent by a user via a remote base to the command originator are forwarded to the subsequent layout objects. For addressing, a command index is incremented by each layout object, until it matches the position number of the layout object. Examples of such commands are opening/closing couples which physically connect cars, turning on/off lights, and producing bell and whistle sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Liontech Trains LLC
    Inventors: John T. Ricks, Louis G. Kovach, II, Neil Young, Mark E. Ricks