Patents by Inventor Robert A. DeMars

Robert A. DeMars 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: 20110204756
    Abstract: A foldable, portable bar that is lightweight and easily transported and erected on location is provided. The invention can be folded to a compact size for easy storage in a wheeled, hard or soft shell case which takes up a minimum of storage space. Though compact when in storage, the present invention portable bar when assembled features a spacious counter for the preparation of food and drinks, as well as storage shelves, a tub for holding drinks and ice, a fixture for supporting an umbrella, and interchangeable fabric wraps or panels upon which may be printed “team colors” or other indicia. The present invention portable bar meets the needs of participants at “tailgating” events which typically take place in the parking lots of sports stadiums, as well as those of the operators of hotels and convention centers who also require a light-weight portable bar that can easily be moved and assembled on location and takes up little space when stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 7228792
    Abstract: A cooker has a pan of circular configuration with an open upper end receiving a circular lid and a bottom having apertures therein. A disk shaped drip tray disposed below the pan and having upstanding lugs thereon is selectively moved between raised and lowered positions using opposite latching mechanisms which adjustably couple the drip tray to the pan. In the raised position, the drip tray engages the bottom of the pan and the lugs on the drip tray extend into and close the apertures in the pan. In the lowered position, the lugs are removed from the apertures, permitting greases, fats and similar substances to drain through the apertures and onto the drip tray. The latching mechanisms permit separation of the drip tray from the pan for separate cleansing thereof such as by placing in a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Original Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Crawford, Robert A. DeMars, Spencer L. Mackay, John R. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7225633
    Abstract: A rotary food server for storing food in a chilled condition includes a dish rotatably mounted on a stationary base and having central and peripheral pockets for removably receiving food storage trays having removable lids. Coolant housings containing a chilled-retaining substance are refrigerator prior to use and then placed beneath and at the sides of the trays to chill food stored in the trays. In an alternative embodiment, a lower housing rotatably mounted on a stationary base has a cavity therein filled with a cooling medium such as a mixture of ice and water. Mounting of an upper housing on the lower housing causes cavities formed in the upper housing to displace the cooling medium to the sides as well as the bottoms thereof to chill food stored within the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Original Ideas Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 7222619
    Abstract: A barbecue has a pair of storable shelves mounted on opposite portions of the barbecue housing adjacent the upper open end of the housing. The shelves are rotatable about generally vertical pivot axes so that each can be swung between a first position for use outside the housing and a second position for storage inside the housing. The shelves are positioned, one over the other, for storage inside the housing when each is in the second position. Swinging movement of each of the shelves between the first and second position is provided by a downwardly extending shaft at an end of a bracket on which the shelf is mounted, which shaft is rotatably received within a mating vertical aperture in a mounting assembly mounted at the inside surface of the barbecue housing. Recesses in the shelf brackets permit the brackets to be positioned over and to nest on the rim of the housing when in the first position outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Original Ideas, Inc
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6957876
    Abstract: A portable bar that is capable of being disassembled and assume a collapsed position to facilitate storage. The bar is to include a counter which is spaced from a base that is to rest on a supporting surface. In between the counter and the base is located shelving. The shelving is to include one or more buckets. The counter is to have connected thereto a cutting board and a condiment tray with both the cutting board and condiment tray each being movable between a retracted position, which is the storage position, and an extended position, which is the usage position. The portable bar is to be connectable to an umbrella assembly which is to function to cover the counter area in order to provide shade from the sun and protection from rain to an individual utilizing the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Original Idea, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6827076
    Abstract: A quick start barbecue comprises a kettle, column and base. A moveable charcoal grate, when lowered into the column, folds into a basket shape thereby holding the charcoal in a compact configuration ideal for starting. Once the charcoal has ignited the grate is lifted into the kettle and in the process unfolds into a flat shape with the charcoal evenly distributed in a configuration ideal for cooking. The charcoal may be started using crumpled newspaper placed below the charcoal grate in its lower “basket” position or by use of a self igniting propane torch removably affixed to the column. A long chimney may be placed in the kettle to aid starting and stored around the column. A removable ash drawer in the base makes cleanup easy. Removal of the ash drawer causes a gate to close so that excess ash is confined to the column while the drawer is out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Original Ideas Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Crawford, Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6820662
    Abstract: A machine that makes bubbles that are dispensed vertically. A membrane-forming system forms a bubble solution membrane over a bubble ring. Air is passed through the bubble ring by a blowing fan, which is intermittently operated to allow contact between a membrane-forming ring and the bubble ring. Bubble solution is continuously supplied to the bubble rings from a central reservoir. Safety switches prevent operation of the bubble-making machine unless there is bubble solution in the reservoir, the main housing is properly connected to the fan, and the bubble machine is in an upright position (and not tipped over). The present invention provides continuous operation for the duration of the bubble solution supply, and is easily washed, used, maintained, and manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Original Ideas
    Inventors: Alan Dale Crawford, Robert A. DeMars
  • Publication number: 20040154603
    Abstract: A quick start barbecue comprises a kettle, column and base. A moveable charcoal grate, when lowered into the column, folds into a basket shape thereby holding the charcoal in a compact configuration ideal for starting. Once the charcoal has ignited the grate is lifted into the kettle and in the process unfolds into a flat shape with the charcoal evenly distributed in a configuration ideal for cooking. The charcoal may be started using crumpled newspaper placed below the charcoal grate in its lower “basket” position or by use of a self igniting propane torch removably affixed to the column. A long chimney may be placed in the kettle to aid starting and stored around the column. A removable ash drawer in the base makes cleanup easy. Removal of the ash drawer causes a gate to close so that excess ash is confined to the column while the drawer is out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Original Ideas Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Crawford, Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6705109
    Abstract: A hot or cold food dispensing modular assembly comprising a turn table which supports a plurality of containers for holding food accompaniments such as toppings, fixings and the like for easy dispensing and for food needing refrigeration, such as ice cream or heat retention such as chili over a longer period of time during party celebrations and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Publication number: 20030172671
    Abstract: A hot or cold food dispensing modular assembly comprising a turn table which supports a plurality of containers for holding food accompaniments such as toppings, fixings and the like for easy dispensing and for food needing refrigeration, such as ice cream or heat retention such as chili over a longer period of time during party celebrations and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6606987
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided comprising a fire bowl having an internal chamber, a grill located within the internal chamber and at least one shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl. The shelf is movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located externally of the fire bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Original Ideas
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Publication number: 20030116224
    Abstract: A machine that makes bubbles that are dispensed vertically. A membrane-forming system forms a bubble solution membrane over a bubble ring. Air is passed through the bubble ring by a blowing fan, which is intermittently operated to allow contact between a membrane-forming ring and the bubble ring. Bubble solution is continuously supplied to the bubble rings from a central reservoir. Safety switches prevent operation of the bubble-making machine unless there is bubble solution in the reservoir, the main housing is properly connected to the fan, and the bubble machine is in an upright position (and not tipped over). The present invention provides continuous operation for the duration of the bubble solution supply, and is easily washed, used, maintained, and manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Alan Dale Crawford, Robert A. DeMars
  • Publication number: 20030111070
    Abstract: A barbecue is illuminated by a light integrated into a shelf. The shelf may be hinged so that it folds into the barbecue for storage. A barbecue as is known in the art has an enclosing lid or cover. The shelves provide flat surfaces upon which food, plates, or other items may be supported. This provides additional work space to the chef. The shelves may be stationary or may fold into the barbecue. One of the shelves may have a lamp that articulates upwardly to illuminate the grill in times of insufficient light. The lamp also conforms to an exterior-interior circumference or perimeter of one of the shelves in order to provide convenient and unobtrusive means by which illumination can be provided when needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6557368
    Abstract: A food dispensing modular assembly comprising a turn table which supports a plurality of containers for holding food accompaniments such as toppings, fixings and the like for easy dispensing and for food needing refrigeration, such as ice cream over a longer period of time during party celebrations and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Publication number: 20020069866
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided comprising a fire bowl having an internal chamber, a grill located within the internal chamber and at least one shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl. The shelf is movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located externally of the fire bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 6401985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a liquid container, a base and an air pressure device; the liquid container has an internal reservoir for containing the liquid and a dispensing conduit connected to a dispensing nozzle; a part of the dispensing conduit may be situated within the reservoir and is adapted to transfer the liquid from the reservoir to the dispensing nozzle; the base has a surface for holding a liquid receiver; the dispensing nozzle of the liquid container may be positioned above the surface of the base so that when the liquid receiver is situated upon the surface, the liquid from the dispensing nozzle will go into the receiver; the air pressure device is designed for creating pressurized air and is mounted in conjunction with the base; the pressurized device is connected with the internal reservoir of the liquid container, whereby upon operation of the air pressure device, pressurized air is supplied to the internal reservoir of the liquid container which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: D457030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: D457776
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: D458506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: D648154
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Original Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars