Craig L Markin

US Patent:

6389836, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Jun 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/590349

Inventors:

Craig Markin - Copley OH
Aaron Shaffer - Stow OH

Assignee:

The Little Tikes Company - Hudson OH

International Classification:

F25C 502

US Classification:

62320, 241 92

Abstract:

An apparatus for producing shavings of a solid volume of frozen beverage includes a hollow body, a blade assembly, and a drive mechanism. The hollow body defines a cavity having an axis and a substantially constant non-circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis. The body has a first end and a second end. The non-circular cross-section is configured to engage the solid volume and to prevent rotational movement of the solid volume about the axis while allowing for axial movement of the solid volume along the axis. The blade assembly is rotatably mounted in the cavity near the second end of the body. The drive mechanism is operably coupled to the blade assembly. A refreshment stand for dispensing snacks, drinks and snow cones using a solid volume of frozen beverage produced in a conventional home freezer includes a cart, an ice shaving apparatus, means for removably connecting the apparatus to the cart, and at least one mold. The mold is adapted for forming the solid volume having a non-circular cross-section that substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the chamber of the apparatus. The solid volume, when placed within the ice chamber, mutually interferes with the apparatus to prevent rotation of the solid volume about the axis.

US Patent:

6443859, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746825

Inventors:

Craig Markin - Copley OH

Assignee:

The Little Tikes Company - Hudson OH

International Classification:

A63B 6900

US Classification:

473451, 473 17, 124 6, 124 78

Abstract:

A baseball training apparatus includes a body, a drive assembly connected to the body, the drive assembly configured to impart motion on to the ball, a ball interface device connected to the body, the ball interface device configured for movement between a first position in which the ball engages the drive assembly and a second position in which the ball is prevented from engaging the drive assembly, and a control system operably coupled to the ball interface device, the control system interacting with the ball interface device such that the ball interface device changes between first and second positions at a predetermined time interval for a predetermined duration. The control system applies the signal to the ball interface device at a predetermined frequency. A ball feeder tube removably connects to the body, the ball feeder tube configured to hold the balls and a ball projection means connected to the body, the ball projection means configured for projecting a ball upward from the body. A baseball training set includes a plurality of balls, a body, a drive assembly connected to the body, a ball interface device connected to the body, a control system coupled to the ball interface device to apply a signal to the ball interface device and a ball feeder tube.

US Patent:

6817351, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/396968

Inventors:

Michael Keller - Tallmadge OH
G. Stewart Lenox - Wadsworth OH
Craig L. Markin - Copley OH

Assignee:

The Little Tikes Company - Hudson OH

International Classification:

F41B 304

US Classification:

124 6, 273119 R, 273447, 446242

Abstract:

A ball launching device for children that has an outer housing, an inner bowl and a launch assembly. The inner bowl has an inner surface with an outwardly curved cone shaped wall and a vertical linear wall. The launch assembly is connected to the bowl. When the bowl rotates at high speeds, the curved cone shaped wall enables balls to ascend up the inner surface and eventually propel out of the ball launching device.

US Patent:

D3850692, Oct 14, 1997

Filed:

Jul 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

D/056798

Inventors:

James S. Hughes - Columbus OH
Craig L. Markin - Columbus OH

Assignee:

White Consolidated Industries, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

1505

US Classification:

D32 3

US Patent:

D3850714, Oct 14, 1997

Filed:

Jul 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

D/056822

Inventors:

James S. Hughes - Columbus OH
Craig L. Markin - Columbus OH

Assignee:

White Consolidated Industries, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

1505

US Classification:

D32 3

US Patent:

D3850706, Oct 14, 1997

Filed:

Jul 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

D/056818

Inventors:

James S. Hughes - Columbus OH
Craig L. Markin - Columbus OH

Assignee:

White Consolidated Industries, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

1505

US Classification:

D32 3