Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael J. Tavella
  • Patent number: 8348293
    Abstract: A wheelchair that has the ability to change quickly and easily the front casters of the wheelchair to another set of front casters intended for a different usage. This usage includes: an ‘everyday’ chair set up that uses narrower rear tires and smaller front casters; a snow chair set up with wide rear tires and larger front casters (or skis in place of casters); a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame; a hiking set up with mountain bike rear tires and over sized youth mountain bike front casters set); or a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame. A user may also mix and match front casters and rear wheels to form a different combination not listed above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: William Lasher
  • Patent number: 8333489
    Abstract: A shade system that easily attaches to any recessed ceiling fixture. The attachment system has an internal frame structure that allows any size shade to be suspended from it. The shade can be solid, colored, or it can have decorative elements that suit any style. A second modification replaces the normal reflective type bulb used in these fixtures. An adaptor is used so that the user can insert a normal globe style bulb that extends below the ceiling. Using such a bulb, combined with a wide shade converts the spot effect into a diffused warm light throughout the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: John Witte
  • Patent number: 8313037
    Abstract: A system to read magnetic stripe card(s) into a database, to select a specific card from the database, and to output the data related to that specific card to existing merchant card reader equipment with no modification. A simulated magnetic stripe card can be tethered to a cell phone via the headset jacks. A more complex design uses an un-tethered, simulated magnetic stripe card by including BLUETOOTH (or other wireless) communications on the card. This dual purpose invention is intended to eliminate the need to carry multiple magnetic stripe cards in a wallet or purse by consolidating all of the individual card information into a form to be reproduced onto the simulation card when needed by the user. It can also be used at a merchant POS card reader to allow an existing MSD reader to be converted to use in wireless cell phone transactions e.g. BLUETOOTH or NFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas David Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8245644
    Abstract: A smoke generating system that complies with the EPA's standard design criteria, which call for separate black and white smoke generation chambers, a smoke stack with exhaust fan, an electronic opacity monitor (transmissometer), and a recording device for the transmissometer data. It includes a redesigned black smoke burn chamber that can be operated on diesel fuel only, eliminating the need for toluene. The white smoke generator is improved by including an automatic temperature control circuit to maintain fuel evaporation chamber temperatures between 700 and 900 degrees F. The unit also employs an induced draft fan (injector) dilution air system. This system eliminated the prior art fan system and significantly improves the dilution air flow characteristic by establishing a gradual differential flow gradient. The entire system is mounted on a self-contained chassis that can be transported to any desired location. In addition, audio equipment installed provides amplification for the instructor during classes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Erik H. Haas
  • Patent number: 8217778
    Abstract: Brake light circuits for use with engine brakes for both positive switch and negative switch brake light circuits. The brake light circuits for the engine brakes do not function until the engine brake solenoids are energized. This ensures that only true brake indications are indicated. In the case of the positive switch, the circuit uses a relay in parallel with the existing brake light switch to active the brake lights whenever the engine brake solenoids are energized. In the case of the negative switch circuit, the original brake pedal switch is connected to ground. It is used to operate a brake light relay that sends positive power to the brake lights. A second relay is used to close the ground connection to activate the original engine brake relay. In both cases, diodes are used to prevent back feed through the bake solenoids or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Kirkman
  • Patent number: 8210704
    Abstract: A three-part “C” shaped disc of plastic that is placed on a client's shoulders. Several small light bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDS) are positioned around the apex of the C-shaped disk. The lights are mounted in the disc at a 45-degree angle facing the head to illuminate the lower portions of the head. The lights are mounted in two rows, and are spaced at a distance of a quarter inch apart. This ensures the maximum level of illumination. The top cover can be removed so the LED's can be changed if a light burns out. The power is supplied by an AC outlet and converted to 12 volt DC. The device also has two wing lights that are used to illuminate the sides of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: John E. Parsons
  • Patent number: 8147391
    Abstract: An exercise bar for motocross muscle development. One embodiment has a bar and a special rocker member for use on floor exercises. A second embodiment has a spring-loaded pivot hub. That embodiment also has folding handgrips that make the device easy to story and carry. Both embodiments have handgrip eyes that can support the ends of the bar for a number of different exercises. Both embodiments have an eye that can support the handlebar as well. A sliding hook can be used to can carry weights and can act as a support when the device is used on a floor. The rocker member is an important feature that allows a user to do intensive push-up type exercises using the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Donald R. Hill
  • Patent number: 8122739
    Abstract: An earring is provided in the form of a spring ring with two mounting members and a bead with lock-screw. The first mounting member is stationary. The second mounting member remains in a normally closed position actuated by a spring. When the earring is in place, the mounting members pinch the auricle to keep the earring in place. Mounting gap is adjusted by the bead and can be locked or unlocked by turning the bead ninety degrees. This earring can be made in different diameters so that it can be worn in any part of the auricle without the ear being pierced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Nam W. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8120196
    Abstract: A Styrofoam-filled plastic cylinder that has collapsible paddle wheel fins attached about the circumference. Two shafts extend from the ends of the cylinder. The shafts are held by bearings. The bearings are attached to a frame structure that is embedded into the seabed. The shafts then extend past the bearings and are connected to a gear drive system that, in turn, connected to generators or other mechanical devices. When installed in the sea, the cylinder will turn in the swells/tidal action for as long as the ocean produces waves. Platforms on either side of the cylinder rise and fall with tidal action to maintain effective contact with the water at all times. Moreover, because the structure is positioned at or near the water surface, maintenance is much simpler for this device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen L. Neese
  • Patent number: 8083649
    Abstract: A wrist exerciser that uses nested semi spheres to work the wrists. It has an outer bowl-shaped housing that can be mounted to a wall, or can he held by the user using a special glove. A second bowl-shaped device called the pendulum has a handle in the center and fits within the housing. A third member called a pressure bowl is fitted into the outer housing. The pressure bowl has an open bottom to let pendulum handle pass through the bottom of the pressure bowl. The user tightens the pressure bowl down to increase the tightness of the pendulum within the outer housing. A user can mount the device on a wall or grip the bottom of the outer bowl. Then, the user holds the handle on the pendulum and rotates the pendulum around the outer housing, back and forth in any desired direction to work the wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony C. Cordova
  • Patent number: 8070492
    Abstract: A device that assists students in reading by using an opaque sheet to cover an entire page. The sheet has a “window” slot in the center that highlights a single line on the page. The device also has a curved slider that is pivotably attached at the top of the sheet. The placement of the pivot point and the shape of the curved member are such that in the initial position, the entire slot is covered. The student moves the curved slider letter by letter until syllables and words are exposed. As letters, syllables and words are exposed, the student reads them. At no time is the student distracted by other text on the page or the remaining words on the line. Once the line has been mastered, the slider can be returned to the initial position and the sheet slid down to the next line to repeat the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Sandra McKinnis
  • Patent number: 8033889
    Abstract: A drinking cup that has a removable lid with three different types of drink delivery novelties. The first is a rotary drive dispenser. In which fluid is drawn up in a straw. At the top of the straw is a rotary arm, which is free to rotate. As the fluid is brought up through the straw, it is forced out of holes formed in the rotary arm causing the arm spins around the straw. As it rotates, the fluid is dispensed into a sump where a drinking straw is used to remove it. In the second design, fluid rises up through the straw where it exits the straw like a fountain spray. In the third design, a tall tube extends up from the lid. A ball sits in the tube. As the fluid is brought up, the ball is propelled upward inside the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventors: Gary Randall, Don Karterman
  • Patent number: 7942670
    Abstract: Disclosed is a means of locking the head of a screw to an abutting area. This is depicted in (FIG. 5) reference numeral (52) whereby the screw-head is locked in place to the abutting area (26) via filling void areas (56) and (32) with plasticized materials which then become solid. The voids are such that the head of the screw (52) cannot be located in any position in relation to the abutting area (26) but that some voids and some metal projections approximate each other, partial or complete. The locking material becomes a part of a seal to the septic area of the dental implant system (FIG. 6), (56) and (52). The septic area seal (FIG. 2) is completed with a small layer of sealing cement in that area between the abutment (26) distal end (44) and the proximal end of the implant body (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: William Jay Marley
  • Patent number: D644877
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Edward Hester, Andrea Burnes
  • Patent number: D653191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jeremy Cohen
  • Patent number: D661961
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Gus Bystedt
  • Patent number: D662523
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Howard Goentzel
  • Patent number: D664082
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jeremy Cohen
  • Patent number: D664496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jeremy Cohen
  • Patent number: D671785
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Naomi Ouellette