Patents by Inventor Mark E. Westphal

Mark E. Westphal 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: 5620396
    Abstract: A tunnel play structure for a child's amusement comprised of at least one collapsible tunnel element made from flexible material surrounding a plurality of rigid framing supports. Each tunnel element is elongated having a closable entrance at either end. At least one closeable entrance is also disposed along the sides of the tunnel element in between the framing supports. The tunnel elements can be selectively joined together so that an entrance on one tunnel element aligns with an entrance on a second tunnel element. This enables a plurality of tunnel elements to be joined to create a continuous enclosure in a wide variety of configurations. Each tunnel element can also be collapsed in an accordion-like manner, thereby allowing the tunnel structures to be easily stored when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Mark E. Westphal