Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Rolfes

Thomas A. Rolfes 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: 20140009906
    Abstract: An illuminated cooler including: a base receptacle; a lid; a series of lights in the interior of the base receptacle; and a solar panel across a top surface of the lid. The series of lights may be place along a top perimeter of an interior of the base receptacle and placed on a lighting track. The series of lights may be placed on at least one side of an interior of the base receptacle. In one particular embodiment, the base receptacle includes a battery as an alternative power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: THOMAS ROLFES
  • Publication number: 20120017639
    Abstract: A method and system of storing and transporting valuable gases comprising mixing the gases with liquid natural gas to form a mixture. The mixture is transported in vessel configured for cooling the mixture by boiling a portion of liquid natural gas. The transportation vessel is further configured to be cooled in the absence of valuable gases by a remaining portion of liquid natural gas. The method further comprises recycling liquid natural gas through the vessel for pre-cooling the vessel prior to loading the mixture of valuable gases and liquid natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Edward R. Peterson, Thomas A. Rolfe
  • Publication number: 20110041518
    Abstract: A method and system of storing and transporting gases comprising mixing the gases with liquid natural gas to form a mixture. The mixture is a liquid-liquid mixture or slurry, and is stored in vessel configured for maintaining the mixture at a first location. The mixture is transported to a second location for storage in vessel for maintaining the mixture. The mixture is removed from the second location storage vessel for separation and use in additional processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Edward R. Peterson, Thomas A. Rolfe
  • Patent number: 5829055
    Abstract: A pair of leg guards for sports, particularly of the type worn by hockey players under elastic socks, each includes rigid plastic shin and knee guard sections. A thigh guard section is joined continuously to the knee guard section. The shin guard section has front and rear panels. A channel is molded preferably diagonally across the front panel in which a rigid plastic strap protector is affixed. The strap protector has a slot through which a one-piece elastic strap passes to detachably secure the guard to the wearer's leg. The one-piece elastic strap has horizontal and diagonal strap portions which wrap around the back of the knee and lower leg respectively of the wearer and connect to the shin guard section by hook and loop connectors. The rear panel and the inside of the knee guard section are fitted and affixed continuously with a detachable liner for further protection of the wearer's leg and to enhance the life of the guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory James Collins, Henry Alves, Catherine Louise Ferris, Daniel Thomas Rolfe, Anthony J. Bender, Matthew S. McNamara
  • Patent number: 4531515
    Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic exterior hinge brace has an upper brace extension pivotally connected to a lower brace extension, with structure limiting relative pivoting of the extensions in both directions comprising a limiting member attached at one point of the inner end of one of the extensions so that when the other extension pivots it contacts said limiting member to the restricted in further pivotal movement in a first rotational direction, and a second limiting member mounted at a second point about the inner end of an extension so that when the lower extension pivots in the opposite direction its further pivotal movement is blocked by the second limiting member, with there being structure to allow the positions of the two limiting members to be adjusted to different positions about the extensions so that the degree of arcuate movement of the two extensions relative to each other can be adjusted to a variety of positions depending upon the placement of the limiting members, and in the preferred embodiment
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas A. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 4481941
    Abstract: A hip stabilization device is adaptable to all patients, and has a hinged brace held in alignment with the hip joint by a belt adjustably engaged about the patient's waist, with the belt engaging the top of the brace. A support is adjustably engaged about the patient's thigh, and is secured to the bottom of the brace. The mounting of the upper and lower parts of the brace to the belt and support respectively are adjustable to accommodate the height and proportions of the patient. The brace prevents rotation of the hip joint and lateral motion of the leg. The range of motion of the hinge is adjustable to permit the maximum flexion consistent with the patient's injury and proper stabilization of the joint. The attachment on the belt to mount the brace is such that when the belt is turned over, it can engage a brace on the other side of a patient. The support and brace are universal to fit the patient's other leg and hip, so that the same parts can be used to support either hip joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas A. Rolfes
  • Patent number: D389959
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory James Collins, Henry Alves, Catherine Louise Ferris, Daniel Thomas Rolfe, Anthony J. Bender, Matthew S. McNamara
  • Patent number: D746642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Rolfes