Patents by Inventor Ronald D. Costa

Ronald D. Costa 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: 20020100406
    Abstract: A so-called “wing” sail for a sailing vessel, having an airfoil section performing substantially in the manner of an ideal airfoil on either tack is described. A two-sided inner sail structure having resiliently deformable battens slidably engaging a track, fixed to the mast of the sailing device and extending rearwardly, the mast being rotatable about its vertical axis in either direction relative to vertical planes along the longitudinal axes of the sailing device and the boom. Translation of the two main surfaces of the wing sail as well as the surfaces at the clew corner while maintaining proper tension in the surfaces, is accomplished by opposed inflatable air bladders. An aerodynamic seal is provided along the trailing edge of the wing sail. A horizontal control bar is attached to the mast to control the pivotal movement of the mast. The outer sail members wrap, around the mast and are fastened to the mast by a zipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald D. Costa, Dale Rorabaugh
  • Publication number: 20020070514
    Abstract: A caster capable of omnidirectional transport having a spherical roller freely mounted within a housing having a concave spherical cavity. A plurality of cylindrical bores is disposed perpendicular to the inner concave surface in equilateral geometric configuration, axially converging toward the center of the cavity. A plurality of small internal caster assemblies, mounted for free independent rotation about the convergent axis, extend from within the bores to contact the spherical roller, thereby creating a loading surface capable of providing omnidirectional rotation. The spherical roller interfaces between the loading surface of the cavity and a surface onto which the entire caster assembly is imparted omnidirectional movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald D. Costa, Dale Rorabaugh