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Thomas J.
Smrt : Inventor Extraordinaire |
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Obviously, the way Thomas Smrt was
able to create Shireland is through the revenue he has been able to amass
through his inventions. He is alleged to
being the first to create an upside-down aerosol can for painting
parking lots. |
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One such invention is listed
below:
 
I
don't think that this is the "mother-ship" of inventions, since
the patent date is 1990. Smrt does have inventions tat date back to
1977. While this was not Thomas Smrt's first invention, it obviously
was not his last invention. See below: |
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Animation Method and
Device
United States Patent 5474485 |
| There now has been discovered
a simple, straight-forward apparatus and method for animating figures. The
apparatus and method in one embodiment employs a plurality of collapsible,
fluid chambers, and associated structures for controlling the fluid
pressure in each of the chambers. At least two of the chambers are
physically arranged so that the inflation of one such chamber and
deflation of the other complimentary chamber causes all or a part of the
figure to assume a different spatial position, dependent upon the level of
inflation of each of the chambers. In another embodiment, a single,
inflatable chamber is employed, the chamber having a section of one wall
which is less elastic than the remaining portion of the wall. Due to the
differential in elasticity, upon inflation the chamber assumes a shape or
configuration which is different from the noninflated chamber. In a third
embodiment, two collapsible, fluid chambers, and associated structures for
controlling the fluid pressure in each of the chambers are provided. The
chambers are each helically wound in opposite directions and placed
substantially parallel to one another. Upon application of fluid pressure
to either chamber, rotation of that chamber occurs, causing the helical
windings of that chamber to unwind while commensurately causing the other
chamber to be more tightly, helically wound. The partial or complete
inflation of either chamber causes all or a part of the figure to assume a
different spatial position, dependent upon the level of inflation of each
of the chambers. |
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Keep in mind, this is just the
abstract; the preamble. It sounds a little loquacious
to me...but maybe that is because I don't invent mechanical arms for a
living! |
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