Patents Represented by Attorney Gordon Thomson
  • Patent number: 8322082
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gutter cover comprising a elongated member adapted to fit over an existing gutter having a plurality of perforations to permit water flow and prevent clogging of the gutter with debris. The gutter cover has two raised areas on its surface to create three channels for water flow. The gutter cover can be fastened to a gutter without fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Horst Neumann
  • Patent number: 8304680
    Abstract: A level entry bore welder that is easier to use and less expensive to purchase. It has an adjustable step feature that allows the operator to control the bead placement inside the bore of a work piece. It includes a simple remote control apparatus that adjusts the welding torch rotation speed as a function of the diameter of the bore. The remote control apparatus also permits the operator to turn the wire feed mechanism on and off. The welder is suited for bores up to 12 inches in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Cambrey
  • Patent number: 8267875
    Abstract: The proposed invention is a method and system for the segmentation of dual-axis accelerometry signals for the purposed of identifying problematic swallowing events. The method and system employ a sensor, a data collection means including an algorithm for the analysis of the data. The proposed invention considers the stochastic properties of swallowing signals in both directions, A-P and S-I to extract events associated with swallowing. A segmentation algorithm may be applied to the signals to establish the time duration of swallows and swallows may be classified with respect to gender, body mass index, age or types of swallow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventors: Tom Chau, Ervin Sejdic
  • Patent number: 8256184
    Abstract: A protective cover for a wooden utility pole comprises a polymer envelope in which the bottom of the pole is placed. The envelope is sufficiently dimensioned to cover about 10 feet of the bottom of the pole. The envelope body is wrapped around the bottom portion of the pole and PVC tape is used to secure the body to the pole. A hermetic seal is placed over the mouth of the envelope which is located above the grade level of the excavation in which the pole sits thereby sealing the envelope to the pole. A metallic band is placed around the seal to protect it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Harry Lowe
  • Patent number: 8235257
    Abstract: A food storage container with emptying mechanism is described. The emptying mechanism includes a platform that may be raised within the container to advance food product toward the container opening. The platform is raised by actuation of a turn wheel at the bottom outer surface of the container. Existing containers may be retrofitted to incorporate the emptying mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Deevin Stanley Avairis
  • Patent number: 8237408
    Abstract: A battery charging apparatus and method adapted to reduce battery capacity as a function of increased temperature thereby permitting partial charges at temperatures in excess of manufacturer's recommendations. The method includes steps of reducing charging current and charging voltage as a function of battery temperature thereby averting chemical instability within the battery. The apparatus detects battery temperature and includes a controller that will control charger voltage and current as a function of temperature and determine a suitable charging capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Steve Carkner, Paul Jan Melichar, Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 8181515
    Abstract: A fluid level indicator strip measures the level of water in a closed receptacle containing a volume of fluid within an impermeable liner. The strip is a flexible, thin and impermeable elongate strip having a first pressure sensing part disposed vertically within the receptacle on the surface of an inside wall and a second visual display part disposed on the same wall outside surface. The first and second parts are connected by a third horizontal part. Each pressure sensor is electrically connected to a direct opposite and corresponding visual display. In one embodiment the pressure sensors are piezoresistive. In another embodiment the visual displays are LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Colin Stephens
  • Patent number: 8156879
    Abstract: A sailing craft propelled by a tilting sail system comprising an aerofoil sail capable of omni-directional attitude for wind propulsion. The sail is fixed to the craft in such a manner as to permit omni-directional attitude. Sail control means allows the sail placement in a forward propulsion attitude relative to wind direction. The sail is rigid and has an asymmetric shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Dale William Hanchar
  • Patent number: 8152747
    Abstract: The current invention is a spinal and upper cervical impulse treatment device and controller, which delivers multiple impulses of variable frequency and variable force in a linear direction, as well as rotational forces, for patient treatment. Known chiropractic impulse devices are all hand held devices. In contrast, the spinal and upper cervical impulse treatment device is mounted on a fixed stand and armature, allowing reliable positioning and directional alignment in three dimensions. Fixed mounting also facilitates ease of use. A safety coupling is incorporated to avoid patient injury due to excessive force on the treatment site in the fixed mounting scenario Smooth sinusoidal waveforms are a preferred waveform for impulse delivery and sine waves are generated digitally in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Aslam Khan, Peter Wishart
  • Patent number: 8142265
    Abstract: A motorized air register, air diffuser or vent for HVAC systems in commercial and residential applications comprises a supporting frame abutting a floor, wall or ceiling and a second depending frame for enclosing a damper. The damper is motor driven from a first fully open position to a second fully closed position. The damper can be controlled remotely from a wall consol or in accordance with thermostat logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Greg Carter
  • Patent number: 8138723
    Abstract: In a remote battery charging system comprising a charging circuit there is always a voltage loss due to inherent resistances in the system from such things as connectors and conductors. These resistances create voltages losses in the system such that charging time are increased substantially. The present invention compensates for voltage losses on the system by generating a dynamic adjustment voltage over the charging period. A voltage translator circuit is used to measure charging circuit output voltage and current over a plurality of incremental time periods during the charging period an calculate a signal proportional to changes in output voltage and current over the incremental time period. The signal is then applied to the charging circuit to offset any voltage losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Carkner
  • Patent number: 8125186
    Abstract: A graphic state of battery charge indicator is used to provide the user with a visual indication of state of battery charge, magnitude of current flow and direction of current flow by using displays such as multi-segment LCD or LED displays in the shape of a battery. The indicator is able to provide these parameters by sequencing the on/off operation of the segmented displays. A microcontroller is provided battery state data from a battery monitor and converts this information to on/off commands for the segmented displays. There may be up to 10 segmented displays in the indicator with each segment proportionally representing a percentage of the state of battery charge. State of charge is indicated by a single on display at the appropriate location in the display. Current flowing into the battery is represented by a ripple effect in the displays in the positive direction. Current flowing out of the battery is represented by a ripple effect in the display in the negative direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Carkner
  • Patent number: 8122641
    Abstract: A plant watering device comprises a pair of water absorbent shells made from natural coconut husks. Cotton pads are placed between the shells for further water storage and slow persistent release. An amount of plant nutrient and water filtering carbon material is placed within the cotton pads for disbursement to the root system of a plant. The husks and cotton pads are stacked and wrapped in a mesh material. The device is buried in a planter in close proximity to a root system of a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Linda Mae Braun
  • Patent number: 8077059
    Abstract: The invention is a database adapter providing improved methods for storing and retrieving relational data. Suitable source data is structured as a table with a fixed number of columns of predetermined types and a variable number of rows. The invention reduces the space and time used to store data and the time taken to retrieve stored data. The invention is best implemented inside Object Relational Database Systems, but can also be implemented in any database that can execute routines written in programming languages such as C#, C or Java. Functionally, the invention combines the concept of nested tables with fast compression techniques so that nested tables are practical for solving a wide class of problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Eric John Davies, Michael Stuart Dunham-Wilkie
  • Patent number: D658962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: William R. Green, Scott R. Strong, Michael D. Klinck
  • Patent number: D659233
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Brad Litzenberger
  • Patent number: D662151
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Gordon Broom
  • Patent number: D663676
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Strahan Loken, Trevor Harmon
  • Patent number: D672712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Reinoud Jacob Hartman
  • Patent number: D673134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen Webb, Damon Langlois