Patents Represented by Attorney Dale J. Ream
  • Patent number: 7913869
    Abstract: A cap device for use with a container or bottle includes a spout portion having a trough defining an access hole. The cap device includes a drinking implement coupled to the trough and pivotal between retracted and extended configurations, the drinking implement covering the access hole at the retracted configuration and being in communication therewith at the extended configuration. An upper surface of the cap device defines a cavity adjacent to and in communication with the trough that is configured to receive a person's finger to selectively urge the drinking implement between retracted and extended configurations. The cap device may include a pour portion adjacent the spout portion although the spout portion accounts for a relatively larger area than the pour portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph M. Cuocolo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7909712
    Abstract: A method of laying out a baseball diamond includes providing home, first, and third bases. A second base includes a measuring tape coupled to a reel. The method includes withdrawing an amount of tape corresponding to a desired distance between second and home bases. A first stake is placed in a home plate hole and the tape is hooked thereto. A second stake is inserted into a second base hole and the tape is extended between the bases. The tape is partially withdrawn into the second base, leaving a desired distance corresponding between the second and first bases. The second base is then rotated about the second stake and the first base is placed at a distance indicated by corner base indicia on the tape. The second base is rotated about the second stake and the third base is placed at a distance indicated by the corner base indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Boyles
  • Patent number: 7905488
    Abstract: A target game includes a target area having first and second electrical grids that are configured to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween. The target game includes a processor in communication with a power supply and grids so as to actuate the power supply to impart a level of capacitance between the grids, to measure an amount of time required for the level of capacitance between the grids to be discharged, and to detect a change in the amount of time required for the level of capacitance to be discharged. The game includes at least one dart having a conductive front portion sized to span the predetermined spacing between the grids. An output device is in data communication with the processor for conveying the detection of a change in an amount of time required for the level of capacitance between the grids to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Jake A. Fulgham
  • Patent number: 7882584
    Abstract: A fisherman's tool includes a housing having front and rear ends, a finger side having a plurality of channels for receiving a user's fingers, a thumb side opposite the finger side, and opposed proximal and distal sides. A knife is coupled to the housing for movement between a storage position stowed in the housing and a use position outside the housing. A user input is in data communication with the motor for selectively activating the motor. The fisherman's tool includes a rotatable actuator operatively coupled to the motor whereby the actuator rotates relative to the housing when the motor is activated, the actuator having a distal end with opposed arcuate walls to engage a fishing reel. A battery is in electrical communication with the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Chester S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7881821
    Abstract: A media storage system includes a disc input element for receiving a media disc, a disc output element for ejecting a disc, and a media reader for reading information from a disc. If insufficient information is readable from a disc, it may be obtained through a computer network. The system includes a disc transporter for moving received discs to respective internal storage locations. The system includes a data input device for entering disc catalogue data and a data output device such as a display for displaying disc catalogue data. The data input and output devices may be input buttons and a display on a remote control. Each disc and related information is associated with an identifier such that access to disc data may be by restricted by user identifier or content ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Shyam Consultants, LLC
    Inventors: Atul K. Kampani, Pranav A. Kampani
  • Patent number: 7878188
    Abstract: A self-heating beverage container includes a housing defining an open interior area for holding a liquid and defining a cavity separated from the open interior area. The container includes a heater portion removably coupled to the housing within the cavity. First and second reactants may be positioned in the cartridge area where they may be selectively combined to produce heat when a seal between them is punctured, causing the liquid to be heated. The container includes a selection portion that is selectively separable from the housing. A plurality of flavoring agents is positioned in the selection portion, each flavoring agent being separated from each other flavoring agent. Each flavoring agent is selectively separated from said open interior area by at least one breakable barrier. Each breakable barrier may be selectively pierced so as to dispense an ingredient into the liquid where it may be selectively mixed and heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Barksdale
  • Patent number: 7861903
    Abstract: A display apparatus for use with a truck having a receiver hitch includes a mounting bracket having oppositely disposed first and second ends, the first end being configured to be received in the receiver hitch. The apparatus includes a main support member coupled to the second end of the bracket, the main support member being height adjustable. The main support member defines an elongate channel. At least one fastener is coupled to the main support member for movement along the elongate channel, the fastener being selectively securable at a desired position along the channel. The fastener includes an eyelet to which a flag or banner may be secured. The apparatus may also include at least one auxiliary support member pivotally coupled to the main support member for displaying another flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Brandon Plaschka
  • Patent number: 7861561
    Abstract: A portable wringer includes a housing having upper and lower ends and defining an open interior area therebetween. The portable wringer also includes first and second rollers positioned inside the open interior area, the first and second rollers being accessible through the housing and movable relative to one another so as to cooperatively pass an item therebetween. A crank handle is operatively connected to the rollers for causing at least one of the rollers to rotate. A plurality of legs are coupled to the housing adjacent the lower end of the housing with each leg being pivotable between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. The legs may be telescopic for length adjustment thereof. The portable wringer includes a removable tray positionable in the housing beneath the first and second rollers for collecting a liquid initially associated with the item passed between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Ronnie L. Briscoe, Trish J. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 7857073
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes first and second outer harrows positioned adjacent front and left sides and front and right sides of a frame, respectively, at generally opposite diagonal directions. Third and fourth harrows are similarly positioned adjacent rear and left sides and rear and right sides of the frame, respectively, at generally opposite diagonal directions. The implement may include inner harrows positioned to close gaps left by the outer harrows and positioned at generally opposite diagonal configurations. Each harrow includes a plurality of discs and a chain with a plurality of links. Each outer harrow chain is held in relative tension by a spring interconnecting a respective chain end and the frame. Left and right sides of the frame are foldable upwardly and inwardly for transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Shane P. Kelly, Peter L. L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7857287
    Abstract: A lifting device includes a jack having a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion. A coupling is fixedly attached to the second portion for movement relative to the first portion, the coupling extending away from the second portion and having a configuration for selective attachment to a receiver hitch. The second portion may be moved relative to the first portion with a handle. The lifting device includes a sleeve coupled to the coupling for movement with the sleeve. Support tubing may extend through the sleeve for contact with the ground. This tubing may be locked into place relative to the sleeve. With the tubing, sleeve, and coupling locked into place, a vehicle will be upheld if the jack portions fail. The lifting device may also include a bumper attachment for raising a vehicle that does not have a receiver hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Willard E. Rucks
  • Patent number: 7857148
    Abstract: A jar dispenser includes a housing defining a row that accommodates multiple jars of baby food in single file atop a planar floor. A pushplate is configured for movement along the row. A biasing member is in communication with the pushplate to bias the pushplate from a housing back side toward a housing front side. The device includes a door adjacent the row at the housing front side, the door being pivotal to restrict access to the row when at a closed position and to allow access to the row when at open and load positions. A first biasing member biases the door toward the closed position. A door catch is positioned to interact with the door when the door is at the load position. A second biasing member biases the door to bias the door to interact with the door catch when the door is at the load position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Pauline R. Roeske
  • Patent number: D630315
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: John A. Masters
  • Patent number: D632502
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin R. Gillespie
  • Patent number: D633689
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Brenda Hunt
  • Patent number: D634192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: D635330
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Jack R. Baun, II, Detlev F. Smith
  • Patent number: D635623
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Andrew D. Wright
  • Patent number: D636292
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Kari L. Brown
  • Patent number: D636301
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Jo-Ann Dammacco
  • Patent number: D636551
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Gary J. Dixon