Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Graner
Stephen C. Graner 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).
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Patent number: 12270479Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: SPIN MASTER, INC.Inventors: C. Latham Gaines, Stephen C. Graner
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Publication number: 20240384549Abstract: A collapsible pool is provided herein. The collapsible pool is provided as a pool with at least a top frame that supports a pool wall of the pool. The top frame is transformable between a top frame use position and a top frame storage position, where the top frame use and storage positions define distinct maximum cross-dimensions. The top frame of the pool is formed to be transformable between the top frame use and storage positions, and is supported in the top frame use position by a plurality of side struts. One end of each of the plurality of side struts being releasably securable to the top frame such that each of the plurality of side struts can pivot relative to the pool wall and top frame, where the pivoting of the side struts permits the collapsible pool to be moved between expanded and collapsed shapes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventor: Stephen C. GRANER
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Publication number: 20240165526Abstract: A buoyancy-propelled, submergible, toy projectile is provided. The toy projectile includes a toy body and a suction cup that is connected to the toy body and provides a means by which the toy projectile can be adhered to an submerged surface of a fluid reservoir. The toy body provides a buoyancy to the toy projectile such that when the toy projectile is submerged in fluid, the buoyancy of the toy will drive it rapidly towards the surface of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: May 23, 2024Inventors: Stephen C. GRANER, Paul LOCASTO, Gavriella PANTELIDES
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Publication number: 20240044414Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen C. GRANER
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Patent number: 11808368Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: SPIN MASTER, INC.Inventors: C. Latham Gaines, Stephen C. Graner
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Publication number: 20230145717Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen C. GRANER
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Patent number: 6367651Abstract: A vented container for produce having a base and a cover which are at least substantially impervious to gas transfer. The base includes a base panel and side walls. Preferably two vent apertures are formed through the side wall, and a plug is provided for each vent aperture, to permit the vent apertures to be selectively opened. The plugs may be mounted upon vent toggles, such that manual pivoting of the vent toggles will open or close the associated vent aperture. The selective opening of the vent apertures permits gas exchange between the interior of the container and the ambient atmosphere, providing improve storage for produce. Maintaining the vent apertures closed permits the container to be used as a normal sealed food storage container. The base panel preferably includes an alternating series of hills and troughs to segregate condensate within the container. The troughs may be downward concave to further subdivide the condensate within each trough.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Laib, Stephen C. Graner, Edward M. Poslinski, Joseph J. Duska, Laurent E. Fischer, Morison S. Cousins, Robert H. C. M. Daenen
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Publication number: 20010047997Abstract: A vented container for produce having a base and a cover which are at least substantially impervious to gas transfer. The base includes a base panel and side walls. Preferably two vent apertures are formed through the side wall, and a plug is provided for each vent aperture, to permit the vent apertures to be selectively opened. The plugs may be mounted upon vent toggles, such that manual pivoting of the vent toggles will open or close the associated vent aperture. The selective opening of the vent apertures permits gas exchange between the interior of the container and the ambient atmosphere, providing improve storage for produce. Maintaining the vent apertures closed permits the container to be used as a normal sealed food storage container. The base panel preferably includes an alternating series of hills and troughs to segregate condensate within the container. The troughs may be downward concave to further subdivide the condensate within each trough.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 1998Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: DOUGLAS M. LAIB, STEPHEN C. GRANER, EDWARD M. POSLINSKI, JOSEPH J. DUSKA, LAURENT E. FISCHER, MORISON S. COUSINS