Patents Examined by Patricia Engle
  • Patent number: RE45838
    Abstract: Kidney-shaped push up insert including first lobe and second lobe is provided. Notch is formed in top side between first lobe and second lobe. Insert has depression formed adjacent top side extending towards notch. Second main surface opposes first main surface. Second main surface is substantially smooth arcuate-shaped surface. First lobe has narrower width between top side and bottom side than second lobe, and second lobe is thicker between first main surface and second main surface than first lobe. Ratio of maximum thickness between first main surface and second main surface to maximum length between opposing ends of first lobe and second lobe is less than about 9 and/or ratio of depth of notch from a straight line connecting first lobe and second lobe along top side of insert to width of insert from top side to bottom side at depth of notch is less than about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Runberg, Incorporated
    Inventor: Debra MacKinnon
  • Patent number: RE45866
    Abstract: A tennis racquet with a replaceable playing surface includes a frame, a cartridge, and a cartridge-lock with at least one key. The frame defines a cartridge support groove, a front upper half-oval bridge and a back upper half-oval bridge. Each bridge includes a head-guard. The front bridge with its head-guard and the back bridge with its head-guard define a planar passage way between the bridges. The cartridge includes a rim threaded with a string. The string defines a playing surface. The cartridge is shaped for removable snug fit in the support groove and in the planar passageway, such that when a replacement cartridge is snug within the frame, and when the at least one key is entered into the at least one key-aperture, the replacement cartridge is locked to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Gary M. DeMasi
  • Patent number: RE45935
    Abstract: A container includes multiple compartments for holding drinks and food. In an exemplary embodiment, a first compartment holds a drink of choice, such as soda, water or juice, and a second compartment holds a food of choice, such as popcorn, pretzels or chips. A third compartment may also be provided for holding a second food of choice, such as candy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Edward L. Taufer
  • Patent number: RE45986
    Abstract: A spring-loaded feed mechanism for a paintball loader. The feed mechanism includes an inner spool and an outer spool. A torsion spring is positioned between the inner and outer spools. The outer spool includes a pressure wall, from which the torsion spring is located on one end of the spring. A retaining wall is attached to the inner spool and is located at the opposite end of the torsion spring. When an operator of a paintball gun using the spring-loaded feed mechanism discontinues firing paintballs, the feed mechanism is stopped. Simultaneously, during the deceleration of the feed mechanism, the torsion spring is compressed, which allows the mechanical energy of the rotating feed mechanism to be stored within the compressed spring. When the operator desires to fire the paintball gun, the feed mechanism is accelerated to the requisite rotational speed. The compressed spring is release, thereby allowing the spring to assist in accelerating the feed mechanism to the necessary rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GI SPORTZ DIRECT LLC
    Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
  • Patent number: RE46043
    Abstract: A decorative structure is provided that is suspended within a space and includes a flexible panel maintained in a flexed configuration. The decorative structure includes a cable that supports the flexible panel and that is connected to a biasing member. The biasing member cooperates with a portion of the flexible panel to maintain the panel in a flexed configuration. A method of configuring a decorative structure with a flexed panel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Richard D. Stackenwalt, Eric Krantz-Lilienthal, Wesley T. K. Bischel, Martin L. Graver, James F. Mathis
  • Patent number: RE46089
    Abstract: A furniture hinge, comprising a fitting part, a hinge cup that is articulated thereto for fastening to furniture parts, and a cushioning apparatus for cushioning a relative movement between the fitting part and the hinge cup, wherein the cushioning apparatus is disposed in or on the hinge cup, wherein the cushioning apparatus comprises a housing having first fastening means, and second fastening means are disposed on the hinge cup, wherein the housing of the cushioning apparatus can be inserted from above into the hinge cup and in the installed position is disposed substantially completely inside the hinge cup, wherein the housing of the cushioning apparatus and hinge cup can be connected to each other in said installed position by the first and second fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Brunnmayr
  • Patent number: RE46342
    Abstract: A method of designing a residential fire protection system in a residential dwelling unit are shown and described. The residential dwelling unit has a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, 13R. The method can be achieved by: determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers required to determine a hydraulic demand calculation of the residential fire sprinklers of a piping network filled with water and arranged to protect the plurality of compartments; and specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers in a piping network filled with a gas. Various aspects of the invention are also shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: James E. Golinveaux
  • Patent number: RE46349
    Abstract: A method of designing a residential fire protection system in a residential dwelling unit are shown and described. The residential dwelling unit has a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. The method can be achieved by: determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers required to determine a hydraulic demand calculation of the residential fire sprinklers of a piping network filled with water and arranged to protect the plurality of compartments; and specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers in a piping network filled with a gas. Various aspects of the invention are also shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: James E. Golinveaux
  • Patent number: RE46407
    Abstract: Kidney-shaped push up insert including first lobe and second lobe is provided. Notch is formed in top side between first lobe and second lobe. Insert has depression formed adjacent top side extending towards notch. Second main surface opposes first main surface. Second main surface is substantially smooth arcuate-shaped surface. First lobe has narrower width between top side and bottom side than second lobe, and second lobe is thicker between first main surface and second main surface than first lobe. Ratio of maximum thickness between first main surface and second main surface to maximum length between opposing ends of first lobe and second lobe is less than about 9 and/or ratio of depth of notch from a straight line connecting first lobe and second lobe along top side of insert to width of insert from top side to bottom side at depth of notch is less than about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Runberg Incorporated
    Inventor: Debra MacKinnon
  • Patent number: RE46408
    Abstract: A combination herb storage, grinder and pouring container includes a grinding and pouring cup having grinding elements. A cap is removably attached to the grinding and pouring cup. An herb storage receptacle is nested within the cup and cap. The receptacle defines an herb storage compartment having grinding elements extending therefrom so as to be disposed adjacent to the grinding elements of the cup, so as to selectively grind herbs placed between the storage receptacle and the cup. Preferably, the cup and cap are removably locked to one another, and an airtight and watertight seal formed between the cap, cup and storage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Hainbach
  • Patent number: RE46619
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a fall arrest system. The fall arrest system may include a post disposed on a clamp. The clamp may be configured to secure to a base structure. The fall arrest system may also include a davit arm disposed on the post via one or more hinges. The post may be configured to support a winch and the davit arm may be configured to support a cable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: National Trench Safety
    Inventor: Ronald W. Chilton
  • Patent number: RE46717
    Abstract: A chair having a fixed support structure including two side uprights, a backrest having two side portions, and a pair of elastic joints connecting said side portions of the backrest to said side uprights, wherein each of said elastic joints comprises: a bushing fixed to a respective side upright, a helical spring having a longitudinal axis, the helical spring having an upper end resting against a front wall of the bushing, a compression member resting against a lower end of the spring, an upper attachment fixed to a corresponding side portion of the backrest, and a rigid connecting rod having an upper end and a lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PRO-CORD S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Piretti
  • Patent number: RE46794
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a device for ice discharging are disclosed. The device for ice discharging includes a case having an ice introduction opening and an ice discharge opening (312); a rotation member (320) rotatable in the case to transfer ice that is held in a predetermined amount to be discharged; and a discharge adjustment part (340) spaced apart a predetermined space from the rotation member (320) to adjust the number of the ices transferred by the rotation member, such that a fixed amount of the ice is substantially discharged. The refrigerator includes the device for ice discharging therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Gi Lee, Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo
  • Patent number: RE46832
    Abstract: An emergency exit door lock system configured to cooperate with a door hinged in a door frame for sensing when a person attempts to open the door, and for allowing the door to open after a subsequent delay. The system comprises an electromagnet affixable to a door frame for electromagnetically attracting an armature resiliently affixed at a variable armature separation distance to an armature mounting device, the device being affixable to the door. A proximity sensor including an analog Hall Effect device is mountable to the frame for detecting movement of the door away from a closed position. A controller, such as a micro-controller, receives a signal from the sensor and causes an alarm as a function of the signal. The signal is indicative of the armature separation distance, the controller being calibrate-able to provide a door alarm signal and door opening signal at any desired value of the armature separation distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hunt, Thomas Edward Roth
  • Patent number: RE46844
    Abstract: A building assembly utilized in connecting building members together while permitting limited relative movement between the members. The assembly includes a structure such as a track or plate that includes one or more longitudinal slots. Integrally formed in the longitudinal slot is a breakaway washer that receives a fastener that extends into an adjacent structure. When a certain force is applied to the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer breaks away from the slot and this permits the slot to move about the breakaway washer and fastener which results in there being relative movement between two connected structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The Steel Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. diGirolamo, John C. Herrmann, James E. Herrmann, Michael A. Shultz
  • Patent number: RE46910
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus and method for depositing pills into a series of containers is provided. A cylindrical rotary slat is rotatable about a first axis and comprises radially inward and outward portions, the radially outward portion defining pill apertures for receiving pills therein at a first angular position. A negative pressure system is configured to apply a negative pressure to the pill apertures to retain the pills therein. An ejection device is in communication with the pill apertures at a second angular position of the rotary slat to eject the respective pills outwardly from the pill apertures. A collection mechanism is disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion about the second angular position, and is configured to collect the pills ejected from the pill apertures and to direct the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: AYLWARD ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Aylward, Dana Waterman
  • Patent number: RE46914
    Abstract: The invention is a compact type 3 explosive storage magazine. It has an approximate external measure of 4.75? wide, 7.87? long and 8.69? high. This design is one quarter the size of the nearest comparable type 3 magazine and has an integrated locking mechanism rather than a hinged hasp locking mechanism which is unique among type 3 magazines. The hinged hasp represents the easiest access point for theft and most likely security component to fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Brad S. Gallagher
  • Patent number: RE47021
    Abstract: A water sport training device is disclosed comprising, in one embodiment, a raft having a distal nose portion and a proximal rear portion. The rear portion provides a pair of substantially spaced apart lateral pontoons and a first web spanning the space therebetween. A relatively rigid platform is positionable within the raft, substantially adjacent the first web. A buoyant seat portion is positioned substantially on a back half of the device between the pontoons and adjacent the platform. A tow rope attachment means is secured to the raft for selectively towing the device over a body of water. The device is configured such that a back half of the device has a center buoyancy sufficient for providing a stable surface to support the weight of a person while floating on water both at standstill and as being pulled through the water as by a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Mary Louise Churchill
  • Patent number: RE47077
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for detaching a frozen charge from an inner wall of a grinding pipe of a tube mill such as is used for grinding. The method includes controlling a driving device of the grinding pipe to detach a frozen charge from an inner wall of the grinding pipe, which driving device is operable to apply a driving torque to the grinding pipe. Controlling the driving device includes varying the driving torque applied to the grinding pipe around a predetermined reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Robert Keller, Patrick Meier
  • Patent number: RE47102
    Abstract: A towing assembly is provided including a hitch ball receiver having a hitch ball mounting aperture and a recess around the aperture, a hitch ball including a base and a mounting shank where the base is sized and shaped to be received in the recess and a fastener engaging the shank and securing the hitch ball to the hitch ball receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Charles W Krespach, Robert A Schmidt, Jacob S Belinky, Richard J Stanley