Patents by Inventor Mark Hotchkiss

Mark Hotchkiss 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: 11976498
    Abstract: A container having a base and a lid is provided. The lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching assemblies. The latching assembly may comprise a latch body, a locking member, a biasing member, and an activating member. Additional features of the container may include handles and strength increasing features. The base and lid may also feature attachment points for various accessories. A carry strap may attach to the base of the container to allow a user to lift and carry the container. The container may also have a wheels attached to the bottom portion and/or across the bottom portion to one side of the sidewall structure. In addition, in exemplary containers with wheels, a pull handle may be attached to a side opposite the wheels. The lid may include a lid support member that can act as a molle board to releasably secure items to the lid support member while also providing structural support to the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: YETI Coolers, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Joseph Seiders, Steve Charles Nichols, Kyle Ellison, Andy Bondhus, Tobias Hotchkiss, Liza Morris, Dennis Zuck, Ryan Nixon, Mark Carlson Rane, Walter T. Blanchard, Nicholas James Lombardi, Dustin Bullock, Michael Christopher Cieszko, Derek G. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180200611
    Abstract: A three-dimensional alignment board game includes four aligned, spaced vertical levels of playing boards. Each level includes a grid forming a “5×5” planar matrix defining twenty-five placement areas for a total of one-hundred placement areas. At least two sets of playing pieces are distinguishable from each other and assigned to players of the game. Each piece can be placed and rest upon any of the one-hundred placement areas. A scorekeeping system keeps score by tracking points of the players. The game is completed when a player is first to accumulate a predetermined total number of points. The players take turns between/among themselves. Each player scores a first predetermined number of points by placing four pieces on four open vertically aligned placement areas of four levels, four pieces on four open diagonally aligned placement areas of four levels, or four pieces on four open horizontally aligned placement areas of any level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventor: Mark A. Hotchkiss
  • Publication number: 20180126255
    Abstract: A three-dimensional alignment board game includes four substantially aligned, spaced vertical levels of playing boards. Each level includes a grid forming a “5×5” planar matrix defining twenty-five placement areas for a total of one-hundred placement areas. At least two sets of playing pieces are distinguishable from each other and assigned to players of the game. Each piece can be placed and rest upon any of the one-hundred placement areas. A scorekeeping system keeps score by tracking points of the players. The game is completed when a player is first to accumulate a predetermined total number of points. The players take turns between/among themselves. Each player scores a first predetermined number of points by placing four pieces on four open vertically aligned placement areas of four levels, four pieces on four open diagonally aligned placement areas of four levels, or four pieces on four open horizontally aligned placement areas of any level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Mark A. Hotchkiss
  • Publication number: 20060044552
    Abstract: A measuring device comprising a sensor capable, through slideable displacement, of detecting alternating reflective and non-reflective markings on surfaces which can be planar or curved, and can be of any length. The output of said sensor can be utilized by other devices, to determine distance, velocity, acceleration or other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Mark Hotchkiss
  • Publication number: 20030075070
    Abstract: A switcher track apparatus comprising four switch units having precisely supported turntables at the intersections of the rails of two tracks, with switch sections of the track on the turntables movable into alternate switching positions in alignment with the two tracks and with magnet assemblies for establishing and releasably holding precise alignment. A dolly or sled for riding on the tracks has four wheel assemblies at its corners each comprising two rows of four roller wheels in a V-shaped arrangement for engagement with curved rail surfaces. The wheel assemblies are carried on sprockets that are tied to a driver sprocket on a T-bar for operation in unison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Spielberg, Simon T. Jayes, Mark Hotchkiss
  • Patent number: 5918975
    Abstract: A powered mechanism is described for controlling the dumping of mortar from a tilting mortar mixing drum. The powered mechanism is highly mechanically advantaged, so that a single operator has precise control of the dumping procedure. A mortar mixing drum has a rotatable paddle shaft and at least one paddle attached to it. The mortar mixing drum is operative between a home, mixing position, and a mortar dumping position. A drive mechanism is connected to the rotatable paddle shaft for rotatively driving the shaft and the paddle attached to it. A transmission mechanism has a ring gear attached to the mortar mixing drum and a pinion gear in rotative contact with the ring gear. The transmission mechanism also has a drive belt and a drive pulley rotatively attached to the rotatable paddle shaft. A hand-operated lever is engageable with the drive belt of the transmission mechanism to engage the drive belt for driving the transmission pulley, which causes tilting of the mixing drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Compaction America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hotchkiss, George Barley, Thomas Kotasek
  • Patent number: D833532
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Mark A. Hotchkiss