Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Steger

Ralph E. Steger 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: 8696398
    Abstract: A personal flotation is provided having a body harness portion and an inflatable lifejacket portion. The body harness portion is positionable on a wearer. The lifejacket is positionable about the neck of the wearer, where the lifejacket portion is removably secured to the body harness portion with a quick release connector. The lifejacket can be removed from the wearer by decoupling lifejacket portion from the body harness portion, and removing the lifejacket portion from about the neck of the wearer. The body harness portion will remain positioned on the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Publication number: 20140057511
    Abstract: A personal flotation is provided having a body harness portion and an inflatable lifejacket portion. The body harness portion is positionable on a wearer. The lifejacket is positionable about the neck of the wearer, where the lifejacket portion is removably secured to the body harness portion with a quick release connector. The lifejacket can be removed from the wearer by decoupling lifejacket portion from the body harness portion, and removing the lifejacket portion from about the neck of the wearer. The body harness portion will remain positioned on the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Publication number: 20110097953
    Abstract: A personal flotation is provided having a body harness portion and an inflatable lifejacket portion. The body harness portion is positionable on a wearer. The lifejacket is positionable about the neck of the wearer, where the lifejacket portion is removably secured to the body harness portion with a quick release connector. The lifejacket can be removed from the wearer by decoupling lifejacket portion from the body harness portion, and removing the lifejacket portion from about the neck of the wearer. The body harness portion will remain positioned on the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Publication number: 20080160849
    Abstract: A personal flotation device (10) includes a torso flotation pad (21), right armband flotation pad (31) and left armband flotation pad (41). The right armband flotation pad (31) is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad (21). The left armband flotation pad (41) is operatively connected to the torso flotation pad (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Publication number: 20030124925
    Abstract: A personal flotation device, includes a shell defining a cavity having a first portion and a second portion for each receiving a buoyant element where the first and second portions are relatively moveable. Aa fastener for releasably interconnecting the first and second portions having a first and a second part such that when interconnected relative movement of the first and second portions is limited. A safety device is connected to the second portion and is associated with the first part of the fastener for redundant interconnection of the first and second portions in the event that the fastener is unintentionally disconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Hedstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Steger, David Carter
  • Patent number: 6582266
    Abstract: A personal flotation device, includes a shell defining a cavity having a first portion and a second portion for each receiving a buoyant element where the first and second portions are relatively moveable. Aa fastener for releasably interconnecting the first and second portions having a first and a second part such that when interconnected relative movement of the first and second portions is limited. A safety device is connected to the second portion and is associated with the first part of the fastener for redundant interconnection of the first and second portions in the event that the fastener is unintentionally disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Hedstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Steger, David Carter
  • Patent number: 6582267
    Abstract: A personal flotation device is provided with a shell including a pair of elements joined to form a continuous pocket for receiving buoyant materials. The shell has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first and second end portions have a first part and a second part. Each second part has a strap connected thereto, such that the straps extend away from the second parts to a first coupler defining a neck hole. The intermediate portion has a strap extending away therefrom to a second coupler. Connecting the first and second couplers defines a pair of opposing armholes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Hedstrom Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Publication number: 20030109186
    Abstract: A personal flotation device is provided with a shell including a pair of elements joined to form a continuous pocket for receiving buoyant materials. The shell has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first and second end portions have a first part and a second part. Each second part has a strap connected thereto, such that the straps extend away from the second parts to a first coupler defining a neck hole. The intermediate portion has a strap extending away therefrom to a second coupler. Connecting the first and second couplers defines a pair of opposing armholes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: 6283894
    Abstract: A trampoline pad assembly for securement to a trampoline of the type including a rebound surface suspended by springs from an elevated ring includes an annular top wall and an annular bottom wall secured together at congruent inner and outer boundaries to form an annular enclosure defining an interior pocket. At least one opening is formed in the bottom wall, which opening extends into the pocket. Resilient material is introduced into the pocket through the opening and an annular flexible skirt is secured to top wall adjacent to the outer boundary thereof so that the skirt lies flat against the top wall. The skirt has a free edge which is shorter than the wall outer boundary and the skirt is foldable around those outer boundaries so that the skirt overlaps the opening thereby enclosing the resilient material within the pocket and secures the pad assembly to the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hedstrom Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Publication number: 20010000250
    Abstract: A trampoline pad assembly for securement to a trampoline of the type including a rebound surface suspended by springs from an elevated ring includes an annular top wall and an annular bottom wall secured together at congruent inner and outer boundaries to form an annular enclosure defining an interior pocket. At least one opening is formed in the bottom wall, which opening extends into the pocket. Resilient material is introduced into the pocket through the opening and an annular flexible skirt is secured to top wall adjacent to the outer boundary thereof so that the skirt lies flat against the top wall. The skirt has a free edge which is shorter than the wall outer boundary and the skirt is foldable around those outer boundaries so that the skirt overlaps the opening thereby enclosing the resilient material within the pocket and secures the pad assembly to the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: April 12, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: 6193632
    Abstract: A trampoline pad assembly for securement to a trampoline of the type including a rebound surface suspended by springs from an elevated ring includes an annular top wall and an annular bottom wall secured together at congruent inner and outer edges to form an annular enclosure defining an interior pocket. At least one opening is formed in the bottom wall adjacent to the outer edge thereof, which opening extends into the pocket. Resilient material is introduced into the pocket through the opening and an annular flexible skirt is secured to top wall adjacent to the outer edge thereof so that the skirt lies flat against the top wall. The skirt has a free edge which is shorter than the wall outer edges and the skirt is foldable around those outer edges so that the skirt closes the opening thereby protectively enclosing the resilient material within the pocket and secures the pad assembly to the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: 5911612
    Abstract: A personal flotation device in the form of a vest having two chest portions that are interconnected by a neck portion. The vest fits over a user's head and is secured to the user by way of a belt and a chest strap. The vest is inflatable by the user and in a deflated condition, the chest portions are folded upon themselves to present a low profile vest that may be worn by the user without interfering in marine activities. A plurality of frangible fasteners are disposed on flap portions of the chest portions to retain the chest portions in their folded condition, yet release the flap portions under inflation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: ERO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: 5249999
    Abstract: A life jacket of the type made from a foam buoyant material includes a transversely disposed yoke member having parallel ends which extend from the upper ends of two symmetrically opposed front panels. A body strap and a unique snap and D-ring assembly are also provided. The life jacket provides the wearer a more comfortable position at which to float while more effectively utilizing the buoyancy of the life jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kent Sporting Goods Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: D300548
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Ero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: D623714
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Steger
  • Patent number: D673636
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Ralph E. Steger, Jean E. Johnson
  • Patent number: D674854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Ralph E Steger