Patents by Inventor Mark Maratta

Mark Maratta 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: 8695994
    Abstract: A sliding device for sliding on the ground down a sloped or inclined surface (grass, dirt, sand, synthetic turf, etc.) has an upper deck and a slide mechanism mounted below and in parallel with the upper deck. The slide mechanism has a slide base formed by upper and lower planar members spaced apart and extending horizontally in parallel, with an enclosure formed by left and right braces and front and rear braces with radiused ends, and an endless anti-friction belt is entrained to slide around the slide base. The slide base is formed as an air tight enclosure provided with a portable air pump mechanism, and the lower planar member has an array of small air holes to let pumped air out to form an air layer between the lower planar member and the belt sliding around it for reducing friction and higher downhill sliding speeds. The device may be used for sliding down a hill like a body board, boogie board, surfboard, sled, ski, or skateboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Maratta
  • Publication number: 20130056942
    Abstract: A sliding device for sliding on the ground down a sloped or inclined surface (grass, dirt, sand, synthetic turf, etc.) has an upper deck and a slide mechanism mounted below and in parallel with the upper deck. The slide mechanism has a slide base formed by upper and lower planar members spaced apart and extending horizontally in parallel, with an enclosure formed by left and right braces and front and rear braces with radiused ends, and an endless anti-friction belt is entrained to slide around the slide base. The slide base is formed as an air tight enclosure provided with a portable air pump mechanism, and the lower planar member has an array of small air holes to let pumped air out to form an air layer between the lower planar member and the belt sliding around it for reducing friction and higher downhill sliding speeds. The device may be used for sliding down a hill like a body board, boogie board, surfboard, sled, ski, or skateboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Maratta
  • Publication number: 20070182117
    Abstract: A sliding device for sliding on the ground down a sloped or inclined surface (grass, dirt, sand, synthetic turf, etc.) has an upper deck and a slide mechanism mounted below and in parallel with the upper deck. The slide mechanism has a slide base of an elongated planar member with opposite radiused ends, and an endless anti-friction belt entrained to slide around the slide base. The belt can be made of high-density plastic, rubber, or a track belt. The slide base surfaces and inner surfaces of the belt may be coated with plastic laminating material to increase slipperiness. The slide base has ends of selected radius of curvature to generate friction forces with the moving belt that provide a “speed limiting” function that slows the device from excessive speeds. In a preferred embodiment, the sliding device is shaped as a body board made of foam material having the slide mechanism recessed in a cavity formed within the bottom of the body to keep the rider's hands or feet from contacting the moving belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Maratta