Patents by Inventor Michael R. Bates

Michael R. Bates 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).

  • Publication number: 20140259364
    Abstract: A shower track guide system for a shower enclosure may include an elevated track positioned above a base and at least one stand disposed between the base and the track. The track may be mounted to the at least one stand. A shower door may be movable along a top of the track to permit access to the shower enclosure. The stand may elevate the track above the base to permit water to flow underneath the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Steven R. Aykens, Mark A. Johnson, James L. Marlowe, Roque M. Corpuz, JR., Nicholas Pairolero, Michael R. Bates
  • Publication number: 20140201895
    Abstract: A lid for a toilet including a bottom surface that faces a top surface of a seat for the toilet when the seat is in a lowered position proximate to a bowl of the toilet. The bottom surface of the lid has a sweeping profile that extends along at least a portion of the bottom surface of the lid and is configured to engage the top surface of the seat. A uniform gap between the seat and lid is defined by the sweeping profile of the lid and the material thickness of the lid when both the lid and the seat are in a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Roger W. Murphy, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Michael R. Bates, David P. Ourada
  • Patent number: 8733633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for validating a negotiable instrument. One method can include obtaining an electronic image of the negotiable instrument, electronically determining a first value and a second value of the negotiable instrument based on the electronic image, and automatically validating the negotiable instrument if the first value is substantially equal to the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Certegy Check Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Publication number: 20120066132
    Abstract: System and method for validating a payment. The method can include obtaining a first account identifier, accessing a database containing a plurality of risk scores, each one of the plurality of risk scores being associated with one of a plurality of account identifiers, obtaining a first risk score from the plurality of risk scores, the first risk score being associated with the first account identifier, and determining an acceptance decision by comparing the first risk score against a risk threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: eFunds Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Gregory A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8082207
    Abstract: System and method for validating a payment. The method can include obtaining a first account identifier, accessing a database containing a plurality of risk scores, each one of the plurality of risk scores being associated with one of a plurality of account identifiers, obtaining a first risk score from the plurality of risk scores, the first risk score being associated with the first account identifier, and determining an acceptance decision by comparing the first risk score against a risk threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Certegy Check Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Gregory A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8074871
    Abstract: Methods and systems for validating a negotiable instrument. One method can include obtaining an electronic image of the negotiable instrument, electronically determining a first value and a second value of the negotiable instrument based on the electronic image, and automatically validating the negotiable instrument if the first value is substantially equal to the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Certegy Check Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Publication number: 20110214230
    Abstract: A drop-in mounted bath tub has a peripheral rim that is uniquely shaped to both support the tub on a mounting platform and provide integral handgrips used to assist the bather in entering and exiting the tub. The rim curves out from the top of the basin downward toward the mounting platform. The rim extends down further at the end walls of the basin than at the side walls so that it contacts the mounting platform only at the end walls while being spaced up from the mounting platform at the sides. The contoured rim provides a stable, comfortable surface for the bather to grasp. One or more partition walls extending from the rim between the basin side walls and the outer edge of the rim provides for sealing the basin to the mounting platform as well as keeping items from falling between the tub and the mounting platform and preventing the bather from touching or viewing the rough unfinished outer shell of the basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: 7992234
    Abstract: A seat assembly for sliding along opposing rims of a bathtub is disclosed. The seat assembly includes a seat member, a friction element affixed to the seat member so as to extend under the seat member, and a flexible slider affixed to the seat member so as to also extend under the seat member. The slider and friction element are positioned and configured so that in a first state, if the seat member is positioned on the opposing rims without additional weight on the seat member, the slider holds the friction element up off a rim while facilitating sliding of the seat member along a rim. In a second state, if the seat member is positioned on the opposing rims with a human weighing over 50 pounds sitting on the seat member, the friction element can contact the rim and thereby impede sliding of the seat member along a rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Jeffrey F. Tempas
  • Patent number: D647184
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: D657030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: D693912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr., Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: D694379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: D695384
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: D697599
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D697600
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr., Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: D697601
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D697602
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D701949
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Herbert V. Kohler, Jr.
  • Patent number: D690402
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D690403
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr., Michael R. Bates