patent office asleep at the wheel

Keeping in mind last week's "free energy machine", which MUST be
valid since the patent office NEVER issues silly or frivolous
patents...

Check out this patent that was issued last week:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/srchnum.htm

Search for Patent# 6,368,227
"Method of swinging on a swing"

Does anybody bother to read these applications?
Maybe they share staff with the INS?
Gotta admit it's pretty funny though!
kp

a brief excerpt:
"Lastly, it should be noted that because pulling alternately on one
chain and then the other resembles in some measure the
movements one would use to swing from vines in a dense jungle forest,
the swinging method of the present invention may be
referred to by the present inventor and his sister as "Tarzan"
swinging. The user may even choose to produce a Tarzan-type yell
while swinging in the manner described, which more accurately
replicates swinging on vines in a dense jungle forest. Actual
jungle forestry is not required.

"Licenses are available from the inventor upon request. "

[I said:]

> We should send letters of congratulations to inventor
> Steve Olson of St. Paul for going to so much trouble.
> He's probably a conceptual artist!!

Actually, based on the last paragraph of the patent, I
would guess the inventor is a 6 year old home-schooled
child whose father has a wicked sense of humor.

Even so we should send him cards. I plan to try this
new method of swinging on a swing and variations ASAP.
I wonder if I'll be able to get a license? I am willing
to bet the inventor would sell me a license at a very
reasonable price...

- Jeff

> Patent# 6,368,227
> "Method of swinging on a swing"
>
> Does anybody bother to read these applications?

Omigawd Kris! This is the funniest thing I have seen in
ages!! What a keen eye you have for the rip-roaring
hilarious. Though it might be a special sort of humor
appreciation that gets a kick out of these sort of
stunts.

We should send letters of congratulations to inventor
Steve Olson of St. Paul for going to so much trouble.
He's probably a conceptual artist!!

Great catch, Kris!

- Jeff

--- In metatuning@y..., "X. J .Scott" <xjscott@e...> wrote:
>
> [I said:]
>
> > We should send letters of congratulations to inventor
> > Steve Olson of St. Paul for going to so much trouble.
> > He's probably a conceptual artist!!
>
> Actually, based on the last paragraph of the patent, I
> would guess the inventor is a 6 year old home-schooled
> child whose father has a wicked sense of humor.

That was exactly my guess too! Dad is probably an engineer with some
patent experience.

> Even so we should send him cards. I plan to try this
> new method of swinging on a swing and variations ASAP.
> I wonder if I'll be able to get a license? I am willing
> to bet the inventor would sell me a license at a very
> reasonable price...

I thought of trying to contact them-- it would be a local call for
me... Or maybe I'll just let out a good Tarzan yell!
kp