Patents Examined by Andrew Polay
  • Patent number: 11970256
    Abstract: An air deployable buoyant device for transmitting data on its location and the conditions in the air as it descends to the surface of a body of water, and on conditions on a body of water on a real-time basis is disclosed. The device includes a buoy and a plurality of sensors and a transmitter associated with the buoy. The transmitter transmits data on the location of the device and the conditions in the air and on a body of water on a real-time basis to at least one receiver. The receiver may be located over the horizon or in line of sight with the device. The sensors are in communication with the transmitter, and each sensor measures at least one condition in the air and/or on a body of water to assist in locating a person in the water and provide information on the water conditions to a rescue team. Methods of deploying and using the buoyant device are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Gene David Sauder, II, Bon Strout
  • Patent number: 11970254
    Abstract: A cold weather infant survival suit includes a principal body cavity having infant/baby holding attachments to fit/hold their small bodies and a coverable cranial opening. The structure of the suit includes a layered structure of mechanically interconnected cavities within cavities. A composite of tear-proof and insulation material forms an internal suit or first envelope that is surrounded by a waterproof suit and then by a tear resistant suit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Diego Jacobson
  • Patent number: 11970259
    Abstract: A linking drive system comprises a first drive shaft of the first drivetrain connected between a first prime mover and a first propulsor. The linking drive system comprises a second drive shaft of the second drivetrain connected between a second prime mover and a second propulsor. The linking drive system further comprises a linking drive clutch, which comprises at least a first clutch part and a second clutch part. The first clutch part and the second clutch part are engageable with each other and can transmit rotation therebetween. At least one flexible drive link is coupled between the linking drive clutch and the first and/or second drive shafts. Rotation from one of the first and second drive shafts is transferred to the other of the first and second drive shafts when the linking drive clutch is engaged thereby linking the first and second drivetrains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Svitzer A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Bangslund, Esben Grundtvig
  • Patent number: 11970255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a baby float. The multi-functional baby float comprises a float body and a buoyant tail for increasing the buoyancy of the back; the buoyant tail is detachably connected with the end of the float body; and the back of a head of the float body is provided with an elevating mechanism for raising the head of the float body. The elevating mechanism comprises an inflatable airbag or a connecting structure. The connecting structure comprises some rows of female buckles; the buoyant tail is provided with son buckles; and the buoyant tail is fixedly connected with the float body through the matching of the son buckles and the female buckles. The present invention has the characteristics that the back buoyancy can be increased to prevent roll-back, the buoyant tail can be detached and installed below a headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Zhejiang Mambobaby Baby Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Weixin Zhou
  • Patent number: 11964743
    Abstract: A floatation apparel system for discreetly providing buoyancy includes a garment being worn by a user while engaged in aquatic activities. The garment includes a plurality of body apertures having a portion of a person's body extending through. Each body aperture has a perimeter edge, and at least one tubular ring is attached to the garment and is co-extensive with one of the body apertures. Furthermore, at least one tubular ring is buoyant in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Roger Collins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11958569
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a float assembly that can prevent the floats from flipping. The present invention provides a float assembly including a plurality of floats connected together comprising: a filled float having a hollow portion, wherein the hollow portion has a part filled with a filler, and the filled float is arranged at a position facing an assembly periphery surrounding the float assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KYORAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sakaguchi, Hirofumi Nagai, Yasunobu Ueda, Takaya Niimi, Ayumu Yukawa
  • Patent number: 11958570
    Abstract: A sandwich cable fairing designed for attachment to cables that are towed at operational speeds by marine vessels. The sandwich cable fairing has a design that combines layers of elastic and damping materials. The fairing dampens the vibration caused when the cable is towed at operational speeds. The outer layers (“bread”) of the fairing are made from a material with a modulus of elasticity that provides a desired amount of stiffness. In the middle of the sandwich cable fairing is damping layer made from a viscoelastic material. The layering of materials allows the fairing to have the flexibility to be crushed by cable equipment while maintaining the requisite stiffness to reducing flapping and the resulting vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David B Coakley
  • Patent number: 11945555
    Abstract: A seabased resupply system includes a fuel containment structure containing fuel and extending fore and aft along a longitudinal axis, a pump on the fuel containment structure operable to pump the fuel, containers located on an exterior of opposite lateral sides of the fuel containment structure, and an operating system located inside one or more of the containers, the operating system comprising at least one selected from a power supply, a communication system, and a control processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Nissen, Troy Cyril Schank, Peter Charles Robichaux, Jason Paul Hurst, Todd Christopher Worden
  • Patent number: 11939037
    Abstract: Constraints on arrangement of catalysts are reduced, and early activation and long-term performance maintenance of the catalysts are both achieved. An exhaust pipe includes a first catalyst provided in a first exhaust pipe extending upward on the side of an exhaust manifold, and a second catalyst provided in a second exhaust pipe that extends downward from a bent pipe extending from the first exhaust pipe and that is adjacent to the first exhaust pipe. The second catalyst is disposed at a position offset to a higher location from an up-down middle position of the first exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11938768
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle for traversing land and bodies of water includes a chassis, and a cycloidal propeller coupled to the chassis and which includes a plurality of cycloidal propeller blades rotatably coupled to the chassis and each extending parallel a rotational axis of the cycloidal propeller, and an extension/retraction system configured to extend the plurality of cycloidal propeller blades away from the chassis and to retract the plurality of cycloidal propeller blades towards the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Moble Benedict, Sean M. McHugh, Chase B. Wiley, Ramsay A. Ramsey, Adam Kellen, Yin Lu Young
  • Patent number: 11939031
    Abstract: A system for propelling a paddleboard or surfboard along the surface of a body of water, comprising a controller motor coupled to a propeller, a rechargeable battery, a controller which may be wearable on the wrist of a user, and a housing structure that is adapted to be attached to the fin box of a paddleboard without the need to remove the fin. The apparatus presents a low-drag profile, has a long battery life for extended range, and is able to be controlled so that user may operate the paddleboard at any desired speed, and in a forward or rearward direction, or in a controllable direction of thrust. The housing structure is adaptable to various fin box T-bolt separation distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Howard Cohen
  • Patent number: 11932369
    Abstract: A device for coupling a propulsor to a marine vessel. The device includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the marine vessel. A support frame has a carriage and is configured for the propulsor to be coupled thereto, where the carriage is configured to slidably engage with the mounting bracket into a fixed position. A member is manually engageable to prevent the carriage from sliding out of the fixed position. The propulsor is coupled to the marine vessel by sliding the carriage into the fixed position and engaging the member, where the propulsor is operable to propel the marine vessel in water when the carriage is in the fixed position, and where the propulsor is configured for decoupling from the marine vessel by disengaging the member and sliding the carriage out of engagement with the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Perdomo Tornbaum, Tom Geng, Steven Lu, Matthew Z. Seta, Jeremy J. Kraus, Keith W. Schmidt, James E. Erickson, Ronald L. Hall, Derek J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11926395
    Abstract: Conventional surfboards enable a rider to catch a wave and ride towards the shoreline while utilizing the power of the ocean to enjoy the ocean waves uniquely. A low-profile motorized surfboard has been developed to assist riders who may have a disability or struggle to get into the position necessary to begin riding the waves. The surfboard may comprise at least one propeller and electromechanical motor, which may provide propulsion for the rider. The surfboard may have an internal power system and supporting circuitry for safe and reliable propulsion. The motorized surfboard may have a low-profile system that is collapsible and allows for the rider to enjoy the surf as if the surfboard were a conventional system. The system may also function to return the rider to the shoreline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Andrew McCracken
  • Patent number: 11904993
    Abstract: In a configurable vehicle a variety of mechanisms connect an external heat sink to an interior volume of the vehicle without creating a fluid conduit between the exterior and interior volume of the vehicle. Reliability of the vehicle is improved since exterior elements cannot penetrate to the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric Seeley, Wade Kempf, Andrew Roth, Mark Sorna
  • Patent number: 11904990
    Abstract: One example provides a floating drive-on pontoon port including a plurality of floating sections pivotally coupled together in series with one another to form an articulating port track base and an articulating starboard track base extending longitudinally in parallel with one another, the port and starboard track bases each having a lower surface to be disposed in water and an opposing upper surface to face away from the water. A port transport track extends longitudinally across the upper surface of the port track base, and a starboard transport track extends longitudinally across the upper surface of the starboard track base and in parallel with the port transport track, the port and starboard transport tracks each comprising a series of spaced apart rollers configured to respectively receive, transport, and support a port pontoon and a starboard pontoon of a pontoon during loading, unloading, and storage of the pontoon boat on the pontoon port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Innovative Outdoor Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Johanneck
  • Patent number: 11904994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a water jet propulsion device for the propulsion of a marine vessel, the water jet propulsion device comprising: a conduit extending between an inlet and an outlet; an impeller in the conduit; and a mechanical power provider arranged to deliver power to the impeller; the method comprising receiving a plurality of thrust commands, and controlling a thrust level of the water jet propulsion device in dependence the thrust commands, wherein controlling the thrust level comprises adjusting a position of a deflector arranged to deflect water flowing out of the outlet, characterised by coordinating the adjustment of the position of the deflector with a level of engagement of a clutch, arranged to adjust the delivery of power from the power provider to the impeller, so that the thrust level is substantially continuous in a thrust command domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: KONGSBERG MARITIME SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Jan Wall
  • Patent number: 11892269
    Abstract: Underwater craft including means for launching an underwater vehicle using water pressure, including a vehicle-launching tube having a front part and a rear part and the rear part of which is connected to a water distribution tank itself connected to a water tube in which is positioned a piston for delivering water into the rear part of the tube in order to push and eject the vehicle, is characterized in that the piston is associated with a linear electric actuator for moving same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NAVAL GROUP
    Inventors: Vincent Fazillault, Fabien Jagailloux, Geoffrey Arrignon, Arnaud Lamotte
  • Patent number: 11884369
    Abstract: A convertible inflatable stand-up paddle board includes a main body member defining a first aperture and optionally a second aperture, and one or more panels fixed to the main body member and covering a bottom end of the apertures. A foldable seat assembly is disposed in the first aperture, and a second seat assembly is disposed in the second aperture. The seat assemblies have a seat portion and a backrest portion. The backrest portion is movable between (i) a folded position wherein a surface of the backrest portion and an upper surface of the main body member define a standing surface for the stand-up paddle board, and (ii) an upright position wherein the backrest portion extends away from the seat portion. The stand-up paddle board is thereby convertible between a stand-up configuration and a sit-down configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Connelly Skis, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas A. Cannon, Jon Donald Cottons
  • Patent number: 11878781
    Abstract: A paddleboard paddle system is convertible from a single paddle to a double-paddle and has a paddle handle including a hand aperture and thumb aperture in the paddle portion. A paddleboard paddle has a first paddle portion and a second paddle portion that can be connected to form a double-paddle, or a paddle having a paddle portion on opposing end of the paddle arm. A paddle arm is the rod or extension from the paddle portion that is typically used to guide the paddle through the water. A user may use the single paddle while standing on the paddle board or may connect the second paddle portion to produce the double-paddle to use while sitting on the paddleboard or for use in a kayak. Also, a user may use a double-paddle while standing. The paddle handle may be gripped by the user to guide the opposing end through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Douglas J. Masi
  • Patent number: 11873071
    Abstract: A stowable propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. An arm pivotably couples the propulsor to the base to move the propulsor into and between a stowed position located proximate to the marine vessel and a deployed position located relatively distal from the marine vessel as compared to the stowed position. An actuator linkage includes a first link that is pivotably coupled to the base and a second link that pivotably couples the first link to the arm. An actuator pivots the actuator linkage to move the propulsor into and between the stowed position and the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron J. Novak, Jeremy J. Kraus