Patents by Inventor Robert Houston

Robert Houston 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: 9901164
    Abstract: A method of using a convertible includes providing a convertible bag that includes a changing surface including a first tray panel and a second tray panel; first and second panel side walls extending perpendicular from the first and second tray panels, respectively; a shoulder strap including a first strap end and a second strap end, wherein each of the first and second strap ends is removably attached to the bag; and a plurality of connection points for removably attaching the first and second strap ends to the bag. The convertible bag moves between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the first panel and the second panel are parallel. In the open position, the first and second tray panels are within a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ANNA and Eve, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Anna Jones
  • Publication number: 20160255943
    Abstract: A method of using a convertible includes providing a convertible bag that includes a changing surface including a first tray panel and a second tray panel; first and second panel side walls extending perpendicular from the first and second tray panels, respectively; a shoulder strap including a first strap end and a second strap end, wherein each of the first and second strap ends is removably attached to the bag; and a plurality of connection points for removably attaching the first and second strap ends to the bag. The convertible bag moves between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the first panel and the second panel are parallel. In the open position, the first and second tray panels are within a plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Anna Jones
  • Publication number: 20150083764
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a convertible bag that may transform from a closed form as a diaper bag into an open form as a baby changing surface. The baby changing surface includes an elongated tray with elevated side walls. Attached to the side walls is at least one compartment that may flip from being stored inside the bag in the closed form to hanging along the outer surface of the side walls when the bag is in the open form. The interior of the bag includes a padded surface that not only provides structural integrity, but also a comfortable surface for a baby to lie on during a diaper change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Anna Jones
  • Patent number: 8782831
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a baby swaddle that includes an inner strap adapted to releasably connect around a baby's chest, an outer strap adapted to releasably connect around the inner strap and secure a baby's arms between the inner strap and outer strap, wherein the inner strap is configured to prevent the baby swaddle from moving toward a baby's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Anna & Eve LLC
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Anna Jones
  • Publication number: 20130283527
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a baby swaddle that includes an inner strap adapted to releasably connect around a baby's chest, an outer strap adapted to releasably connect around the inner strap and secure a baby's arms between the inner strap and outer strap, wherein the inner strap is configured to prevent the baby swaddle from moving toward a baby's head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ANNA & EVE, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Anna Jones
  • Patent number: 8267475
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device of an automotive vehicle. It comprises a movable adjustment part the position of which is adjustable according to the user's wishes. The adjustment part comprises at least a first piece and a second piece. These pieces are fixedly joined together in a connection region. Each piece comprises a border that is connected to the border of the other piece in the connection region. One piece may be made from a higher quality material and the other piece from a lower quality material. One piece may be made from a thinner material and the other piece from a thicker material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Sascha Eckhoff, Michael Lindemann
  • Patent number: 8193936
    Abstract: A solar powered perimeter beam security system comprising a plurality of spaced towers. The towers have detection beams extending between them for detecting an intruder when at least one of the detection beams is interrupted. Each of the towers communicates with a remote unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Solarbeam Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Houston
  • Patent number: 8109574
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge mountings has a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a toothed quadrant centered on a hinge axis and connected to the first hinge arm, a detent part which has a toothed surface feature cooperating with the toothed quadrant and a control part associated with the detent part. The hinge arms can be pivoted between an active angular range in which the detent part is allowed to engage the toothed quadrant and a passive angular range in which the detent part is not located opposite the toothed quadrant so that the detent part is not allowed to engage the toothed quadrant. In the passive angular range, the detent part is retained by the control part in a passive position in which it is not in the range of movement of the toothed quadrant. In the active angular range, the detent part adopts an active position in which the detent part can be brought into engagement with the toothed quadrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Stefan Pietas, Robert Houston, Jozef Potecin
  • Patent number: 8061770
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having an underframe comprising at least one base and at least one rear rocker, which is connected to the base through a rear pivot axis, a seat carrier carried by the underframe, a seat back connected to the seat carrier, and a drive device. A crash sensor controls the drive device. In the event of a crash, the drive device pivots the seat carrier inclusive of the seat back about the rear pivot axis, and a seat front edge of the seat carrier is raised at least 10 mm relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG, Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Tony Phillip
  • Publication number: 20110232685
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing an adhesive substance such as gum, paint, and the like from a surface is provided. The apparatus includes at least two reservoirs, one reservoir contains water so as to provide steam and another reservoir contains a cleaning agent. A common conduit is in fluid communication with the first and second reservoirs and comprising an outlet. A controller modulates the dispensing of steam and cleaning agent. Applying an effective mixture of steam and cleaning agent onto the surface area having this adhesive substance causes the removal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Paffrath, Robert Houston
  • Patent number: 7971843
    Abstract: A longitudinal guide for motor vehicle seats having a bottom rail and a seat rail that are displaceable with respect to each other in one longitudinal direction. The motor vehicle seats are adjustable in a longitudinal direction and are also removable from the longitudinal guide. Detents are formed in the bottom rail. The seat rail comprises a base part and a supporting part. The base part has at least one front and at least one rear transverse bolt, which cooperate with the detents. The base part is adjustable with respect to the supporting part between a lower position, in which the transverse bolts are not engaged with the detents, and an upper position, in which the transverse bolts engage detents. Only in the lower position is the seat rail displaceable with respect to the bottom rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Robert Houston, Stefan Pietas
  • Publication number: 20100194565
    Abstract: A solar powered perimeter beam security system comprising a plurality of spaced towers. The towers have detection beams extending between them for detecting an intruder when at least one of the detection beams is interrupted. Each of the towers communicates with a remote unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Houston
  • Publication number: 20090224130
    Abstract: A longitudinal guide for motor vehicle seats having a bottom rail and a seat rail that are displaceable with respect to each other in one longitudinal direction. The motor vehicle seats are adjustable in a longitudinal direction and are also removable from the longitudinal guide. Detents are formed in the bottom rail. The seat rail comprises a base part and a supporting part. The base part has at least one front and at least one rear transverse bolt, which cooperate with the detents. The base part is adjustable with respect to the supporting part between a lower position, in which the transverse bolts are not engaged with the detents, and an upper position, in which the transverse bolts engage detents. Only in the lower position is the seat rail displaceable with respect to the bottom rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Robert Houston, Stefan Pietas
  • Publication number: 20090160228
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having an underframe comprising at least one base and at least one rear rocker, which is connected to the base through a rear pivot axis, a seat carrier carried by the underframe, a seat back connected to the seat carrier, and a drive device. A crash sensor controls the drive device. In the event of a crash, the drive device pivots the seat carrier inclusive of the seat back about the rear pivot axis, and a seat front edge of the seat carrier is raised at least 10 mm relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Tony Phillip
  • Publication number: 20090108662
    Abstract: The seat back of a motor vehicle seat with an integrated seat belt has a frame having two side parts and an upper base connecting the side parts and an upper belt point provided in proximity to the first upper corner. It further contains an L-shaped supporting body. The supporting body has a long leg connected to the frame in proximity to a first upper corner, of a length substantially equalling the length of the neighbouring side part and extending at an acute angle with respect to the neighbouring side part. A short leg is connected to the upper base, and a lower carrier piece connects a lower end of the long leg to the neighbouring side part so that the neighbouring side part, the long leg and the carrier piece form an acute-angled triangle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Stefen Pietas, Robert Houston, Jozef Potecln
  • Publication number: 20090108657
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge mountings has a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a toothed quadrant centered on a hinge axis and connected to the first hinge arm, a detent part which has a toothed surface feature cooperating with the toothed quadrant and a control part associated with the detent part. The hinge arms can be pivoted between an active angular range in which the detent part is allowed to engage the toothed quadrant and a passive angular range in which the detent part is not located opposite the toothed quadrant so that the detent part is not allowed to engage the toothed quadrant. In the passive angular range, the detent part is retained by the control part in a passive position, while in the active angular range, the detent part adopts an active position in which the detent part can be brought into engagement with the toothed quadrant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: C. ROB. HAMMERSTEIN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Stefan Pietas, Robert Houston, Jozef Potecin
  • Publication number: 20090108656
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge mountings has a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a toothed quadrant centered on a hinge axis and connected to the first hinge arm, a detent part which has a toothed surface feature cooperating with the toothed quadrant and a control part associated with the detent part. The hinge arms can be pivoted between an active angular range in which the detent part is allowed to engage the toothed quadrant and a passive angular range in which the detent part is not located opposite the toothed quadrant so that the detent part is not allowed to engage the toothed quadrant. In the passive angular range, the detent part is retained by the control part in a passive position in which it is not in the range of movement of the toothed quadrant. In the active angular range, the detent part adopts an active position in which the detent part can be brought into engagement with the toothed quadrant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: C. ROB. HAMMERSTEIN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Stefan Pietas, Robert Houston, Jozef Potecin
  • Publication number: 20080121776
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device of an automotive vehicle. It comprises a movable adjustment part the position of which is adjustable according to the user's wishes. The adjustment part comprises at least a first piece and a second piece. These pieces are fixedly joined together in a connection region. Each piece comprises a border that is connected to the border of the other piece in the connection region. One piece may be made from a higher quality material and the other piece from a lower quality material. One piece may be made from a thinner material and the other piece from a thicker material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Sascha Eckhoff, Michael Lindemann
  • Patent number: D672408
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Innvo Labs Limited
    Inventors: Steven W. Ohler, Robert Houston
  • Patent number: D690426
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Anna & Eve, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Anna Jones