Patents by Inventor Michael Porter

Michael Porter 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).

  • Automotive convertible top system for an automobile
    Patent number: 6114819
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized convertible top such that it may be extended and retracted automatically. The system and method of the present invention monitors the movement of the various components to provide fluid, simultaneous motion. It further detects and corrects improper alignments that may result in damage to the top due to overlapping elements or binding elements, and stores error information useful in diagnosing and repairing unrecoverable errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Porter, Richard H. Kruse, Samuel DiCesare, Kerry S. Berland, James M. Helms, George A. Alderton, IV
  • Control system for a vehicle having a moveable vehicle body member
    Patent number: 5825147
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized convertible top such that it may be extended and retracted automatically. The system and method of the present invention monitors the movement of the various components to provide fluid, simultaneous motion. It further detects and corrects improper alignments that may result in damage to the top due to overlapping elements or binding elements, and stores error information useful in diagnosing and repairing unrecoverable errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Porter, Richard H. Kruse, Samuel DiCesare, Kerry S. Berland, James M. Helms, George A. Alderton, IV
  • Golf glove
    Patent number: 5742941
    Abstract: A golf glove adapted to assist in maintaining a proper grip on the club by means of an elastic strap affixed to the back of the glove which may be drawn around the hand and golf club handle and fastened to the backhand portion of the fourth and fifth fingers of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Porter
  • Motorized self-correcting automatic convertible top
    Patent number: 5451849
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized convertible top such that it may be extended and retracted automatically. The system and method of the present invention monitors the movement of the various components to provide fluid, simultaneous motion. It further detects and corrects improper alignments that may result in damage to the top due to overlapping elements or binding elements, and stores error information useful in diagnosing and repairing unrecoverable errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Porter, Richard H. Kruse, Samuel DiCesare, Kerry S. Berland, James M. Helms, George A. Alderton, IV
  • Cake cosmetic applicator
    Patent number: 4828419
    Abstract: A cosmetic applicator of the type comprising a longitudinally elongated cap that contains a cosmetic cake, a longitudinally elongated barrel holder with a first end supporting a resilient applicator is improved by a longitudinally elongated godet that encloses the cosmetic cake and presents only a substantially transverse exposed surface for contact with said applicator, and an applicator tip that is resilient and expands transversely into a substantial wiping contact with the godet interior wall upon compression against the exposed cake surface. The invention further is characterized by a mounting to rotatably and removably mount the cap upon the barrel at a substantially fixed longitudinal mounting position, and resiliently to maintain a substantially constant pressure during contact between the applicator and the exposed cosmetic surface as the barrel and cap longitudinally are moved into and out of the fixed mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignees: Cosmolab, Inc., Spiveco, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Michael Porter, J. R. Spivey, William J. Dee