David A Norton

US Patent:

6921076, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

Feb 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/369972

Inventors:

David A. Norton - Tampa FL, US

International Classification:

A63B007/36

US Classification:

273447

Abstract:

A crane game, of the sort popular in amusement arcades, has prizes supported on a horizontal surface arranged to move upwards as prizes are delivered to players. Prize separating posts extend through the movable horizontal surface to keep deformable prizes near the bottom of the prize bin from being jammed together. This allows the game to hold a greater prize inventory. In addition, an arrangement is provided for measuring and displaying the grabbing force being exerted by the prize grabbing mechanism in order to assure a player of the game that it is performing in a consistent manner.

US Patent:

7000922, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Apr 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/833660

Inventors:

David A. Norton - Tampa FL, US

International Classification:

A63B 63/00
A63D 5/02
A63F 7/26

US Classification:

273352, 273355, 273129 R, 124 78

Abstract:

A mechanical projector for use with an existing table bowling game allows players a choice of speeds at which a projectile is launched along a lane towards a target. This launcher may comprise a relatively soft speed-up roller rotatable about an axis transverse to the lane. Preferred versions of the projector have a ball-clearing mechanism that moves a returning ball, rolling from the target zone toward the player, off to one side of the alley so that the returning ball can bypass the projector and be returned to the player. In addition, a preferred version of the projector may be moved out of its normal operating position to allow for conventional unassisted play.

US Patent:

20040050857, Mar 18, 2004

Filed:

Sep 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/655207

Inventors:

David Norton - Tampa FL, US

Assignee:

Bay-Tek, Inc. - Pulaski WI

International Classification:

B65H003/08
G07F011/10

US Classification:

221/211000, 221/232000

Abstract:

A device for dispensing folded sheets of material, such as a paper napkin, provides a selected time interval between successive dispensing operations in order to limit the overall rate at which the product is dispensed. The device uses a reciprocatable vacuum head for picking a napkin from a supply stack controlled to have an uppermost article at a selected height, and for then delivering the napkin to a delivery chute. The dimensions of the device can be matched the size of the napkin so that the vacuum head travels high that even if the napkin partially unfolds, it does not contact any portion of the device that could soil it or that it could jam. The vacuum head may be driven by a swing-arm linkage coupled to a crank turned by an electric gearmotor once per delivery cycle.

US Patent:

20070023505, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

Jul 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/190993

Inventors:

David Norton - Tampa FL, US
Carl Treankler - Little Suamico WI, US
Terry Hanstedt - Pulaski WI, US
Gary Lofquist - Little Suamico WI, US

International Classification:

G06F 7/08
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

235381000, 235375000

Abstract:

A system for dispensing a predetermined number of prepackaged condiments to a customer based on a food order inputted into a business machine at a food service establishment. The system includes a business machine, such as a cash register, linked to a powered prepackaged condiment dispenser. Each menu item available at the establishment is assigned a number that represents the total number of prepackaged condiments that a normal customer may need while consuming the item. A microprocessor contained within either the dispenser or the business machine retrieves the number of condiments from the memory when a food item key is pressed and provides a signal to the condiment dispenser so that the predetermined number of prepackaged condiments is dispensed. The system controls the amount of prepackaged condiments provided to the customer in order to reduce waste.

US Patent:

D2810840, Oct 22, 1985

Filed:

Dec 2, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/446590

Inventors:

David A. Norton - Tampa FL

Assignee:

The Norton Co., Inc. - Tampa FL

US Classification:

D21 5

US Patent:

62098683, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/437856

Inventors:

David A. Norton - Tampa FL

International Classification:

A63B 702

US Classification:

273118R

Abstract:

A vending machine is combined with a game of skill and chance. A ball or other generally spherical item of merchandise is dispensed onto an intermediate carrier each time the player deposits an adequate amount of money. The player causes the ball to be ejected from the carrier, which may simulate a dump truck, onto an upper portion of a slanted playing surface and attempts to cause the ball to contact a target as it rolls down the slanted playing surface. The apparatus awards a prize or a prize credit of some sort if a target is struck, and, in some versions, may aggregate credits for multiple games. Whether or not the ball strikes the target, it eventually falls into a delivery chute from which the player can retrieve it.

US Patent:

60425164, Mar 28, 2000

Filed:

Jan 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/226592

Inventors:

David A. Norton - Tampa FL

International Classification:

A63B 2200

US Classification:

482 54

Abstract:

Apparatus that can be added to an existing ski treadmill provides resistance to a forward, as well as a rearward motion of an exerciser's arm. The apparatus includes a transverse beam attached to a body supporting post that is part of the treadmill. Longitudinal arms are hinged to the ends of this beam and swing away from their normal operating positions to allow an exerciser to mount or dismount from the apparatus. A closed rope loop having an indented portion is formed by connecting the two handgrips of a conventional ski treadmill with another piece of rope that engages, in sequence, a first pulley at the rear end of a first of the longitudinal arms, a second pulley near a hinge connecting that arm to the transverse beam, a third pulley at the other end of the beam, and a fourth pulley at the rear end of the second longitudinal arm.

US Patent:

61352616, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Oct 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/178434

Inventors:

Robert E. Noell - Clearwater FL
David A. Norton - Tampa FL

International Classification:

C07F 910
A63F 1300
A63F 900

US Classification:

194350

Abstract:

A vertically oriented payment-receiving enclosure and player's console for an arcade game has two juxtaposed check acceptors hinged to it. This allows one of the acceptors to be swung out of the way while the other remains in its normal operating position during servicing and inspection. The arrangement also allows improved maintenance access to an enclosed portion of a player's control mounted in a top portion of the enclosure.