Patents by Inventor Michael D. Tinstman

Michael D. Tinstman 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: 10974692
    Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes electronic switches and sensors that have to be actuated along with engaging the locking tongue in the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Eric A. Miller, Jr., Michael D. Tinstman, Arnold J. Herberg, Paul DiTullio, Marcus R. Hanna, Thomas Gernetzke, John D. Fiegener, Ryan Thompson, Daniel Bloch
  • Patent number: 10246048
    Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes a button that has to be pushed by a user after the seatbelt is engaged with the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Arnold J. Herberg, John D. Fiegener, Daniel Bloch, Ryan Thompson, Michael D. Tinstman, Ben Bangser, Thomas Gernetzke, Daniel L. Ha, Matthew P. Cioe
  • Publication number: 20190031139
    Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes electronic switches and sensors that have to be actuated along with engaging the locking tongue in the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Eric A. Miller, JR., Michael D. Tinstman, Arnold J. Herberg, Paul DiTullio, Marcus R. Hanna, Thomas Gernetzke, John D. Fiegener, Ryan Thompson, Daniel Bloch
  • Publication number: 20170066404
    Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes a button that has to be pushed by a user after the seatbelt is engaged with the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Arnold J. Herberg, John D. Fiegener, Daniel Bloch, Ryan Thompson, Michael D. Tinstman, Ben Bangser, Thomas Gernetzke, Daniel L. Ha, Matthew P. Cioe
  • Patent number: 8967413
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum sealable container system comprising a container and a lid assembly having a movable valve insert. The valve insert includes a vacuum indicator for informing the user when a vacuum is present in the container. The valve insert is pneumatically movable within a chamber by way of a pump assembly to open and close a fluid communication between the container and the exterior of the container to remove fluid to form the vacuum. The vacuum indicator collapses into an opening formed in the lid assembly to inform the user of the vacuum as well as reinforce the seal formed by the valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SCAC LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Tinstman, John D. Fiegener
  • Patent number: 8932236
    Abstract: In order to monitor an individual's posture, a cable is incorporated within a garment that is configured to be worn on an individual's upper body such that at least a portion of the cable spans an upper back region of the garment. A sensor is configured to monitor tension in the cable and to generate an alert when the tension in the cable exceeds a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Perseus Athletics, LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. McKeon, John D. Fiegener, Daniel R. Armstrong, Michael D. Tinstman, Paul Demkowski
  • Patent number: 8822012
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mat including a compressible first layer, openings formed through one or more first portions and columns disposed in/proximate to the openings. One or more second portions, or at least one column, or both may be configured to be depressed to provide support and traction. The present disclosure further provides a towel including an absorption layer and a compressible region of flexible fiber disposed on one or more first portions of a top surface of the absorption layer. The towel may further include one or more columns disposed either on one or more second portions or in/proximate to openings formed through the one or more second portions. The compressible region of flexible fiber may be configured to be depressed in a compressed configuration to provide support and traction. The mat or the towel may be further adapted to form a grip apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sequence LLC
    Inventors: Lisa M. Franks, David E. Duncanson, Aly G. Khalifa, Thomas A. Gernetzke, Douglas C. Dayton, Daniel B. Lazarchik, Stephanie F. Connaughton, Michael D. Tinstman
  • Publication number: 20130068650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum sealable container system comprising a container and a lid assembly having a movable valve insert. The valve insert includes a vacuum indicator for informing the user when a vacuum is present in the container. The valve insert is pneumatically movable within a chamber by way of a pump assembly to open and close a fluid communication between the container and the exterior of the container to remove fluid to form the vacuum. The vacuum indicator collapses into an opening formed in the lid assembly to inform the user of the vacuum as well as reinforce the seal formed by the valve insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: SCANDINAVIAN CHILD LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Tinstman, John D. Fiegener
  • Publication number: 20120076981
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mat including a compressible first layer, openings formed through one or more first portions and columns disposed in/proximate to the openings. One or more second portions, or at least one column, or both may be configured to be depressed to provide support and traction. The present disclosure further provides a towel including an absorption layer and a compressible region of flexible fiber disposed on one or more first portions of a top surface of the absorption layer. The towel may further include one or more columns disposed either on one or more second portions or in/proximate to openings formed through the one or more second portions. The compressible region of flexible fiber may be configured to be depressed in a compressed configuration to provide support and traction. The mat or the towel may be further adapted to form a grip apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: BENDIGEAR LLC
    Inventors: Lisa M. Franks, Stephanie F. Connaughton, Michael D. Tinstman, Thomas A. Gernetzke, Douglas C. Dayton, David E. Duncanson, Aly G. Khalifa, Daniel B. Lazarchik
  • Patent number: 8083693
    Abstract: In order to monitor an individual's posture, a cable is incorporated within a garment that is configured to be worn on an individual's upper body such that at least a portion of the cable spans an upper back region of the garment. A sensor is configured to monitor tension in the cable and to generate an alert when the tension in the cable exceeds a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Perseus Athletics, LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. McKeon, John D. Fiegener, Daniel R. Armstrong, Michael D. Tinstman, Paul Demkowski
  • Patent number: 6911903
    Abstract: A tire pressure indicator for coupling with a valve stem of a tire. The tire pressure indicator provides a first visual indication in the event that the tire pressure is below a first threshold limit and a second visual indication if the tire pressure is above a second threshold limit. The pressure indicator includes a dome shaped indicator and a dome shaped cover that is mounted over the indicator. The cover includes a plurality wedge shaped transparent viewing windows extending from near the top of the dome. The transparent viewing windows are separated by opaque portions. The indicator has a plurality of alternating wedge shaped areas of first and second colors extending from near the top of the dome to the lower peripheral edge of the indicator. The rotation of the indicator is related to the tire pressure. In one orientation of the indicator that occurs when the tire pressure is below a first predetermined limit, the first color is visible through the transparent viewing windows of the outer dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Tagg Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Gladstone, Jason A. Morris, Michael D. Tinstman, Marwan M. Aylouche, Robert S. Holland