Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Bell, III

Thomas G. Bell, III 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: 7111714
    Abstract: A slide fastener and related pull are disclosed. The pull is formed of an elongate strip of material defining a handle portion between a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the pull is attached to the article bearing an elongate set of engaging structures for the slide fastener. A slide for operably engaging the set of engaging structures is attached to the pull toward the opposite second end. Accordingly, the handle portion forms an easily graspable quasi-pull chord for opening and closing the pull fastener. In a preferred embodiment, a tab portion of the pull extends from the slide attachment point on the pull to the second end of the pull, and it is detachably secured to the article when the slide fastener is in its closed position. Accordingly, the pull itself can be used as a storage device to hang objects such as a towel, a pair of shoes or the like therefrom. The pull can also serve as a protective cover for the pull fastener and have surface ornamentation thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Bell, III
  • Patent number: 5790228
    Abstract: Eye wear that is structured to give a customized fit to each individual wearer is disclosed. The eye wear comprises a lens-supporting frame, a surface engaging member and a retractable device interconnecting the lens-supporting frame to the surface engaging member. Various embodiments are disclosed, but one exemplary embodiment comprises a frame structured with the retractable device and a pair of ear pieces which are interconnected to the frame member by the retractable device. The eye wear are adjustable to the face and may readily be moved from the wearer's eyes to, for example, the wearer's forehead without having the lens-supporting frame slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas G. Bell, III