Steven R Winters

US Patent:

7234473, Jun 26, 2007

Filed:

Nov 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/980431

Inventors:

Steven Nebeker Winters - Salt Lake City UT, US

International Classification:

A45D 44/18

US Classification:

132309, 132325

Abstract:

A dental floss dispenser having a shape or attaching elements which allows it to be held during flossing. One embodiment has a finger spool which is worn on the finger tip or finger during flossing. The dental floss dispenser may also incorporate a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the lower fingers, a contoured shape to better fit the hand of the user, a wide or weighted base for easy pick-up, or a U-shaped indentation for quickly grabbing dental floss at the commencement of flossing. A take up spool is designed to be used during the flossing procedure as an anchor for the dental floss to thereby allow the user to floss without wrapping floss around a take up finger or fingers. The take up spool is incorporated into the handle of a toothbrush. By using the dispenser or the take up spool in the flossing procedure, time is saved and flossing becomes more convenient and efficient.

US Patent:

20010039955, Nov 15, 2001

Filed:

Jun 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/323877

Inventors:

STEVEN NEBEKER WINTERS - SALT LAKE CITY UT, US
TIMOTHY S. EVANS - OAKLEY UT, US
BRENT A. LARSON - SALT LAKE CITY UT, US

Assignee:

JAMES J. MURPHY

International Classification:

A61C015/00
A45D044/18

US Classification:

132/309000, 132/325000

Abstract:

A dental floss dispenser having a shape or attaching elements which allows it to be held during flossing. One embodiment has a finger spool which is worn on the finger tip or finger during flossing. The dental floss dispenser may also incorporate a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the lower fingers, a contoured shape to better fit the hand of the user, a wide or weighted base for easy pick-up, or a U-shaped indentation for quickly grabbing dental floss at the commencement of flossing. A take up spool is designed to be used during the flossing procedure as an anchor for the dental floss to thereby allow the user to floss without wrapping floss around a finger or fingers. The take up spool is incorporated into the handle of a toothbrush. By using the dispenser or the take up spool in the flossing procedure, time is saved and flossing becomes more convenient and efficient.

US Patent:

56014341, Feb 11, 1997

Filed:

Mar 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/614807

Inventors:

Steven N. Winters - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A63B 6918

US Classification:

434253

Abstract:

A device which can be manufactured in multiple embodiments which makes it possible to break down and practice separately the steps involved in various ski techniques that require sliding the skis sideways into the snow as is required for a hockey stop, christies, and other common skiing manuevers. One embodiment of the invention contains a suspended overhead beam and a harness for holding the skier that is pivotally and slidably engaged with the overhead beam. This guides the direction of the skier while traversing the slope. To effectively learn skiing techniques requiring the sideways sliding of the skis such as the hockey stop, a skier is suspended in the air and makes first contact with the ski surface in sliding postion. In this manner, the skier learns the feel of the slide, one of the ending steps, prior to earlier steps. By breaking down the skill and learning the last steps first, learning and confidence is facilitated.

US Patent:

55730221, Nov 12, 1996

Filed:

Oct 26, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/329217

Inventors:

Steven N. Winters - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 1504

US Classification:

132325

Abstract:

A rotationally advanced dental floss holder and applicator assembly that includes a source spool and a take-up spool member to be held in each hand of the user. Dental floss is easily advanced from the source spool member to the take-up spool member by means of rotating the members with the fingers and thereby lessening the time necessary for flossing as well as reducing the amount of dental floss waste. Also disclosed is a dental floss dispenser having a locking mechanism to lock a freely rotating internal spool of dental floss relative to the dental floss dispenser. The locking mechanism is actuated by squeezing the dental floss dispenser and the dental floss dispenser has a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the fingers only.

US Patent:

56808755, Oct 28, 1997

Filed:

Oct 25, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/548217

Inventors:

Steven Nebeker Winters - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 1500

US Classification:

132324

Abstract:

A dental floss dispenser having a floss securement mechanism to secure the dental floss with respect to the dispenser body and for use during flossing is provided. One embodiment locks a freely rotating internal spool of dental floss relative to the dental floss dispenser. Both the floss securement mechanism and the spool locking are actuated by the hand holding the dental floss dispenser. The dental floss dispenser may also incorporate a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the lower fingers, a contoured shape to better fit the hand of the user, a wide or weighted base for easy pick-up, or a U-shaped indentation for quickly grabbing dental floss at the commencement of flossing. The dispenser is further designed to be used during the flossing procedure as an anchor for the dental floss to thereby allow the user to floss without wrapping floss around at least one finger. The dispenser can also be used with a tool for taking up the used floss during the flossing procedure which allows effective flossing without wrapping floss around fingers altogether.