I AM Ironman

This is fun - now that we use the Cooperative Patent Classification System (CPC), I get to see a lot more exoskeletons. Eventually I knew I'd run across everyone's favorite billionaire genius. Mr. Stark, I hope you've patented the suit. (Based on the chest plate, this one might actually belong to Pepper).

US Publication 2016/0016309, Motion system with plurality of stewart platform based actuators

Oh, the Humiliation.

One of the best parts about not having cable at my place is that visiting home is a mini-television treat in that I get to watch truly trashy TV like QVC, HSN, and this past weekend, TruTV (the erstwhile Court TV), where we ran across a "20 Dumbest Smartest Patents" marathon.

In the second or third hour, they featured a - you guessed it - umbrella. But not just any umbrella. This one seemed eerily familiar, like I had seen it before. After a little research, I'm proud to say that I can now add TruTV to my list of public appearances for a patent that I granted.

While I can't find the clip directly from the show, here's one that is pretty close, as well as the inventor's original ad on YouTube for his product. Take a look at the comments for both videos - Mr. Banerjee is quite the proud and protective daddy of his umbrella. It does not look like he's still in business, more's the pity.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present US 8297295, Multi-fold umbrella combined with writing implement or cosmetic case:

The Ramblin' Man himself

Leon Redbone?!? Leon Redbone!!

Came across this one a few days ago. Turns out that even old-timey musicians and erstwhile "Leon the Snowman" vocalists have great ideas. I didn't believe it at first - neither name is especially unique, but the combination, well that begs the question - could it be?

After a little digging (google Leon Redbone Lahaska, PA) - I have to conclude that this is indeed the man. Buy something from his store and you're sending your money to the same address.

Heartbreakingly, he has recently retired from performing and recording. I missed my chance to see him a few years ago in Alexandria.

So here's Mr. Redbone's Patent: US 6186453, Foot Adjustable Levelers:

I ride bikes.

So I keep up on the latest bike-related tech. My man Ray Maker (and his editor Randy Cantu) is a great source, as well as the crew over at Bike Rumor.

As I noted below in the signal gloves entry, "innovation" in cycling seems to repeat itself. Just like fashion: wait long enough and whatever you've got stuffed in your closet, eventually it'll be stylish again. That cutting edge gadget you had will be somebody's new discovery..

Like the Hövding, an inflatable bike helmet for those ever-hair-conscious Swedes. While the newest iteration of the device relies on accelerometers and the like to actuate it, the general idea has been around since at least 1987:

US Patent 4685151, Motorcycle Safety Apparel:

Kia needs to make one of these in "Hamster"

I'm looking for a motorcycle canopy today, so I get to see a lot of related vehicular covers.

Like this one: US Application Publication 2011/0109119, Aesthetically Enhanced Vehicle Cover, which dues to its complete awesomeness, gets multiple images:

Also awesome? Car Bubble Wrap.

The Original Slip'n'Slide?

Ran across this one in a totally unrelated search this morning - went ahead and looked at the rest of the subclass (472/117, Amusement Devices:BODY SLIDE:Water Slide, in case you wondered). It turns out that this is the earliest one for a flat, wet slide (there are earlier, but are of the inclined slide type)

So here it is, I assume, the earliest patent for a generation of head-and-neck injuries, drunk frat-guy hijinks, and a bunch of grass-stained kids.

US Patent 2982547, Aquatic Play Equipment:

Let's settle the Over-Under TP debate.

The Huffington Post reported about a patent a while back. As an avid HuffPo reader and frequent user of the product in question, it struck my fancy.

This is the patent mentioned, but a little exploration yields several earlier, patents of interest - looks like Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Hicks were fierce competitors!

However, Mr. Wheeler seems to have had a niche, and he has the oldest patent that I can find.

US Patent 333,183 (December 29, 1885): Wrapping and Toiler Paper.

As you can see, he clearly shows the roll as being in the "over" configuration - the free end should ALWAYS come from the top or front of the roll. Even the inventor of perforated bumwad thought so.