Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Swift Law Office
  • Patent number: 7293788
    Abstract: A stirrup attached to the rear of a vehicle, making it safer and easier to enter into and/or exit from the vehicle. It comprises a bottom member that is preferably flat and rectangular, vertical side members extending upwards from opposite edges of the bottom member, and a top member from which the side members depend. Optional features include a tread pad on the upper surface of the bottom member, a shin guard, an illumination light, and/or a brake light. In a first preferred embodiment, it is retained on the vehicle using an attachment member extending from the top member that is inserted into a trailer hitch. In a second preferred embodiment, it is retained on the underside of the vehicle's rear bumper using attachment members such as bolts. In a third preferred embodiment, it is welded to the underside of the vehicle's rear bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventors: Kenneth Randall Bosley, Bradley James Morrison
  • Patent number: 7148596
    Abstract: A magnetic rotating motor generator of the present invention comprises a rotating portion which is made of a non-magnetic substance whose periphery is provided with a group of permanent magnets tilted at a predetermined angle in an embedded manner; a group of electromagnets that are disposed adjacently to the rotating portion so as to oppose the group of permanent magnets; a positional sensor for detecting positions of the group of permanent magnets; a controller for applying an electric current to the electromagnet on the basis of a detected signal from the positional sensor; and a power generating section for obtaining power from a coil of the electromagnet. A rotation mode and a power generation mode are repeated, so that power generation is performed while a function as a motor is exhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Kohei Minato, Nobue Minato
  • Patent number: 7146758
    Abstract: A sign for workplaces and a method for its use. The preferred embodiment comprises a rectangular board retained by extendable brackets on the wall of a cubicle or the door of an office. Alternatively, the board may be retained on a wall, door or other surface by strips of hook and loop fasteners, glue, nails, screws, or any other suitable means. The board preferably has three sections or windows. The top and middle sections have front slots for retaining a choice of several rectangular message cards that can be slid in or out of the slots. The bottom section is an erasable white board on which messages can be written. Unused message cards may be stored in rear slots in each section, where they can be identified by their tabs that extend beyond a side of the board. Indicia may be included on the board such as trademarks or names.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Nancy Lindblad Gaston
  • Patent number: 7131812
    Abstract: A sky turbine, having impeller blades with a plurality of panels that can telescope inward and outward. The pitch of the panels can be adjusted, and the pitch of each panel on a blade, passing from the innermost panel to the outermost panel, differs from the pitch of the previous panel by a certain adjustable amount. The sky turbine is preferably mounted above a city at a sufficiently high elevation that air current will be generally faster than just above the ground. In the preferred embodiments, a wing with two pods is pivotally mounted on a tower. Each pod has front and rear shafts, from which four blades extend. Servomotors cause the wing to turn so that its center of symmetry is parallel to the direction the sky is moving, cause the pitch of the panels of the blades to change, and cause the panels of the blades to telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Manfred Karl Brueckner
  • Patent number: 7124164
    Abstract: A system for communicating between members of a group is disclosed which includes a communications interface transmitting at least one of voice, video and text communications from an originating member to at least one destination member within a virtual group. The graphical communication flow module graphically depicts to each member of the virtual group the originator and target of different types of communication (text, voice or iconic) occurring simultaneously within the virtual group. The simultaneous access window allows virtual group members to engage in “real-life” group activities (like viewing a video, reviewing a document, or participating in training exercises) while at the same time transmitting, receiving, and viewing communications occurring between computer users connected to the virtual group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Helen J. Chemtob
  • Patent number: 7040932
    Abstract: A collapsible plug that can fit into a motor vehicle's cigarette lighter. It comprises two flat members that are generally rectangular, except at one end where they are semicircular. The members are pivotally connected at an axis midway between their longer edges. The members may be rotated around the axis so that they lie together in a flat position for storage. The members may be rotated in an opposite direction, until they are at right angles to each other, in an open position in which they may be retained in a cigarette lighter. The semicircular ends of the members are inserted into the cigarette lighter. Electricity is conducted from contacts on the flat edges and the semicircular ends of the members to a cord on the opposite end of the collapsible plug, and through the cord to a second plug, where it can power a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Orrin Edward Klitzner
  • Patent number: 7000627
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ensuring that the flow of water to a toilet tank is shut off. The first preferred embodiment of the invention combines a conventional float mechanism to shut off the flow of water to a toilet tank when full, with a timer mechanism to shut off the flow of water if the float mechanism fails. There is also a manual override to shut off the flow of water if both the float mechanism and the timer mechanism fail. In the second preferred embodiment, the float mechanism is in the toilet bowl, and shuts off the flow of water when the water level rises in the bowl above a certain level after the toilet is flushed, with the timer mechanism again backing up the float mechanism. In the third preferred embodiment, there are two float mechanisms, one in the tank and the other in the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Donn Charles Johnson
  • Patent number: 6981373
    Abstract: A buoyancy engine, including an upper casing, a lower casing, and a manifold separating the upper and lower casings. The manifold has internal and external control means, that control amounts of liquid entering and leaving the manifold and casings through a primary route and an alternate route. There is a variably ballasted power piston within the upper casing, into and out of which liquid ballast can be pumped to change its buoyancy. There is a liquid discharge piston within the lower casing, that can be coupled to the variably ballasted power piston to form a primary pump. There is also a backup pump that can be used when the primary pump fails. A mechanical slide valve controls the entrance and exit of liquid from the manifold through the primary route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Douglas Robinson
  • Patent number: 6956353
    Abstract: A universal battery charger for cellular telephones and other battery operated devices. It also may be used to power a battery operated device when there are no batteries in the device. It can charge a battery from power sources having different voltages (e.g., a 12 volt car cigarette lighter, or a 110 or 120 volt wall outlet) and can charge a battery when no external power source is available. It has a built in battery pack, using a no-memory battery, that can be charged from any of the power sources. The battery pack can hold a charge and be discharged only upon demand. The preferred embodiment includes a 110/220 AC plug, and male and female 12 volt cigarette lighter plugs. Optionally, a DC to DC converter or similar device may be incorporated, so that the invention can recharge batteries requiring different voltages (e.g. 6 and 12 volt batteries).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: Orrin Edward Klitzner
  • Patent number: 6908208
    Abstract: A light that can be worn on the head of a user. Although designed originally to be a surgical headlight for use in equine dentistry, it may be used for any purpose in which a light mounted on the user's head is desirable, e.g., lighting a tunnel in a mine. In the preferred embodiment, a headband retains a halogen lamp on the user's head. The lamp is cooled by a combination of a fan similar to that used to cool personal computers, and fins that act as a heat sink to conduct heat away from the light to the surrounding air, where it is carried away by convection. The lamp and the fan can be turned on and off by a switch on the headband. They can be powered by a battery pack. The switch has a cylindrical button that slides back and forth between the on and off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventors: Raymond Quentin Hyde, Timothy Robert Cherry
  • Patent number: 6869076
    Abstract: A low ball game and a method of dealing cards in the game. A standard deck of 52 playing cards plus one joker is used. Aces count as one. The players bet that the value of the highest card in their hand will not exceed a number from 1 through 9. However, a bet on a number must include all the higher numbers, and a minimum bet includes the numbers 5 through 9. The lower the number bet, the higher the pay-off if the player wins. A first embodiment uses actual physical cards that are dealt onto a table. Each player is given a square that is divided into nine smaller squares, numbered 1 through 9, with the single payout shown above the number and the cumulative payout shown below the number. A second embodiment for an electronic gaming machine displays similar rectangles and the cards on a video screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: D'Amico and More Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James Chyvan Moore, Ann Marie D'Amico
  • Patent number: 6800201
    Abstract: A method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. Apparatus that may be used with the method includes a large metal cylinder, with open top and bottom ends, anchored to the sea floor offshore. Several pressure hulls may be attached to the side of the cylinder. Within each pressure hull there are several reverse osmosis devices (“RODs”), each containing a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore. After equilibrium is reached, the pumps for the brine can be turned off, as gravity will cause brine to flow down from the pressure hulls through an opening in the bottom of the cylinder. Alternatively, a reverse osmosis system may be supported on an elevated undersea platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth Randall Bosley
  • Patent number: 6784567
    Abstract: A switching apparatus and method designed to control a car radio or other device with only one connection to the vehicle and with no modification to the original wiring. (However, the scope of the invention is not limited to vehicles.) In the first preferred embodiment it is used to power a cell phone or other device from the line to the car radio. In both preferred embodiments, the power to the radio is cut off when the cell phone is in use. The fuse in the fuse box for the car radio is replaced with a dummy fuse. That fuse is then inserted into an in-line fuse holder. A connector on each leg of the output from the dummy fuse can supply power to the cell phone. A third connector may be plugged into one of the other connectors for powering of hand-free cellular phones that may be independently fused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Orrin Edward Klitzner
  • Patent number: 6769375
    Abstract: A cleat that can be clamped onto a bow rail or spring rail of a boat, using a cylindrical C-clamp. The cleat has two horns that bend inward toward the bow rail at their ends. A middle section joins the clamp and the horns. In the preferred embodiment, the C-clamp has a fixed lower semi-cylindrical member and a pivoting upper semi-cylindrical member. The upper member can be raised to place the clamp around a rail, or to remove it from a rail. Flanges extend from the upper and lower members opposite the side at which the members are pivotally connected and attached to the middle section. Holes pass through the flanges, so that the flanges may be bolted together to secure the clamp on the rail. Rope can be wound around the cleat to keep the rope clean and out of the way when the rope is not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Dean Caporella
  • Patent number: 6749096
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of retaining a beach chair (or other object having metal tubing) on a bicycle (or other wheeled vehicle). The apparatus includes a metal plate, having a hole in its middle, at which it is attached to a bolt extending from the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle or other vehicle. At one end of the plate is a metallic cylindrical clamp with an interior lining of rubber (or other elastic material). The aluminum tubing of a beach chair may be retained in the cylindrical clamp, to carry the beach chair on the vehicle. The cylindrical clamp has two longitudinal sections, that may opened and securely closed using a lever. There is a notch at the other end of the plate, by which it may be retained on the frame of the bicycle or other vehicle, to prevent it from turning on the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: John Louis Manos
  • Patent number: 6738995
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling buckets, pails or other containers with water or other fluid from faucets, and a method of filling containers with fluid using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an attachment unit or funnel that is placed over a faucet, a hose, and a tip at the opposite end of the hose with a hook to retain the bottom end of the hose in the bucket. The attachment unit is generally cylindrical and made of a solid foam that has a closed cellular structure. The attachment unit can be screwed on and off the upper end of the hose. In a first preferred embodiment the attachment unit is configured for standard faucets, with an opening in the center of its top and a vertical channel. In a second preferred embodiment the attachment unit is configured for contemporary faucets, with an opening in its side and a curved channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventors: Reginal Eugene Payne, Michelle Neal Payne
  • Patent number: 6735775
    Abstract: An audience rating system for digital television and radio, using identification codes in control streams of time-multiplexed digital transmissions. When a television set or radio, that is being monitored pursuant to the system, is turned on and tuned into a channel, and each time that the channel is changed, an identification code for each audio, video or auxiliary digital stream of the channel is extracted from the control stream, and recorded along with the time. In the first preferred embodiment, the multiplexed digital transmission is received separately by the television set or radio (or an attached IRD) and a meter connected to it. In the second preferred embodiment, the meter does not receive the multiplexed digital transmission separately, but has access to elementary streams extracted from the transmission by an IRD, and extracts identification codes for the channels being received from their elementary streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Enrico Emilio Massetti
  • Patent number: D508956
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Nancy Lindblad Gaston
  • Patent number: D546135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen Howard Ricks
  • Patent number: D548660
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: John Andrew Jenkins