Patents Represented by Attorney New River Valley IP Law
  • Patent number: 8272529
    Abstract: The invention provides a drink mixing cup for fluids comprising an outer chamber having an outer rim disposed at its top and a chamber disposed inside the outer chamber having an inner rim disposed below the outer rim by an amount selected to optimize mixing fluids poured from said chambers when drunk by humans while not interfering with their noses. The design allows for nesting of cups to reduce storage space. Anti-nesting ribs prevent full nesting so that separation of cups is not difficult. When thin walls made from plastic are used and the inner chamber is elevated, the fluid in the inner chamber is thermally insulated. When inverted, the chamber below the inner chamber can serve as a drinking glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hurricane Shooters, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan D. Mansfield, Ricky R. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8262250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lighting strips and more particularly to modular lighting systems comprising lighting devices, for example, lighting strips, physically and electrically connectable with one another by way of a plug and socket integrally formed at opposing ends of the lighting strips. The lighting strip devices can be made of flexible material to allow for applying the lighting devices along flat as well as contoured surfaces. The lighting strips can also be rigid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention include modular lighting strips comprising: a non-conductive substrate strip comprising an electrical circuit; a plurality of light sources operably connected to the electrical circuit; a plug integrally formed at an end of the substrate strip; and a socket integrally formed at an opposing end of the substrate strip; wherein the plug and socket provide for removable, friction-fit, latch or latchless, and electrical interconnection of two or more circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Virginia Optoelectronics, Inc., Foshan Nationstar Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. Corp.
    Inventors: Qing Charles Li, Weiping Li, Qingyue Zuo, Yihang Pan
  • Patent number: 8211681
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an in vitro enzymatic process that effectively converts renewable polysaccharides into high yields of hydrogen at mild conditions, using only enzymes and water. The process comprises a number of enzymes: (1) phosphorylases, (2) phosphoglucomutases, (3) hydrogenases, and (4) enzymes involved in the pentose-phosphate pathway. Preferred embodiments of the process produce only hydrogen and carbon dioxide as net products, translating into an inexpensive method of generating hydrogen in very large quantities from low-cost feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Heng Percival Zhang, Jonathan Mielenz
  • Patent number: 8129428
    Abstract: The present invention includes insecticidal carbamates that are useful, for example, for the control of insects, such as mosquitoes, which can be used in applications where exposure to and/or contact with humans is likely. The insecticides of the present invention include phenyl N-methyl carbamates and compositions comprising them that exhibit species-selective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and are preferably toxic to mosquitoes but not humans. Of particular interest are compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II): Compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II) are especially suitable for insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying for mosquito control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Carlier, Jeffrey Bloomquist, Sally Paulson, Eric Wong
  • Patent number: 8121249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of x-ray imaging. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for imaging, which can be used in a wide range of applications, including medical imaging, security screening, and industrial non-destructive testing to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 8072091
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to improve upon existing energy-generation technologies by providing methods, systems, and devices for converting mechanical power into electrical power. More specifically, the present invention relates to fluid-powered generators and methods, systems, and devices for generating power by way of such fluid-powered generators. The present invention includes devices for generating energy comprising fluid turbine generators having variable inlet(s), wherein the fluid velocity, volume, and/or mass of fluid collected by the inlet can be varied to control turbine speed to provide a reasonably steady, continuous, and/or sufficient source of energy over a wide range of conditions presented by natural fluid resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventors: Samuel B. Wilson, Paul Gelhausen, Andrew R Turnbull, Timothy Street
  • Patent number: 8003856
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel soybean lines having high sucrose content and low phytic acid and low stachyose content. The soybeans are easily digested and provide high energy content for animals and humans. The low phytic acid content permits animal feed to be produced that does not require phytase, yet does not result in significant production of pollution to the environment from excretion by farm animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Saghai Maroof, Glenn R. Buss
  • Patent number: 7972040
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lighting assemblies and more particularly to light emitting diode (LED) light bulbs comprising a support for one or more LED lenses, which can be used to position and support the lenses within the lamp housing and which facilitate assembly of the light bulbs during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignees: Virginia Optoelectronics, Inc., Foshan Nationstar Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. Corp.
    Inventors: Qing Charles Li, Yangcheng Huang, Haijun Wang, Cuie Wei, Guohong Huang
  • Patent number: 7780033
    Abstract: The invention provides a drink mixing cup for fluids comprising an outer chamber having an outer rim disposed at its top and a chamber disposed inside the outer chamber having an inner rim disposed below the outer rim by an amount selected to optimize mixing fluids poured from said chambers when drunk by humans while not interfering with their noses. The design allows for nesting of cups to reduce storage space. Anti-nesting ribs prevent full nesting so that separation of cups is not difficult. When thin walls made from plastic are used and the inner chamber is elevated, the fluid in the inner chamber is thermally insulated. When inverted, the chamber below the inner chamber can serve as a drinking glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Hurricane Shooters, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan D. Mansfield, Ricky R. Lambert
  • Patent number: 7779850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to therapeutic walkers and devices for preventing tipping of a walker during use. The inventive anti-tipping device can be retrofitted to existing walkers and has at least three or more degrees of freedom relative to the walker along which the anti-tip device can be adjusted to provide for a walker with customizable safety supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Pamela Caldwell
  • Patent number: 7765790
    Abstract: A ramjet engine (3, 4, 5), flying at Mach 3 has 64% efficiency, and at Mach 4 has 76% efficiency. Ramjet engines are currently only used for supersonic flight and have not been used as stationary engines with mechanical output. The present invention, in addition to subsonic flight, can be operated as a stationary engine, and can expand the use of the ramjet engine for mechanical output in vehicles, power plants, and in generator sets for large buildings, homes, and industry. The present invention provides the means to use ramjet engines as stationary engines by building nearly adiabatic compressors (1, 2, 12, 13, 14, 15) and expanders (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) capable of (de-)compression ratios up to about 92:1 to supply the high energy gas/air required by ramjet engines, and shows how to replace de Laval nozzles with sonic converters (49, 50, 51) that convert supersonic to subsonic flow and sonic converters (45, 46, 47) that convert subsonic to supersonic flow without having choke areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Amicable Inventions LLC
    Inventors: Rufus G. Clay, Robert G. Hockaday
  • Patent number: D666424
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Leonard Clyde Carter, III