Patents Examined by Susan C. Alimenti
  • Patent number: 7234271
    Abstract: A pot cover that is comprised of detachable components and which can be used in combination with any conventional garden pot or any other suitable container, for purposes of facilitating the propagation of seedlings or seed germination, and which also resembles a novel animalian figure appearing to be living in the pot. The sections (02) and (04) of the pot cover connect together via clips (06) or other conventional connecting device to enable the sections to be easily connected and disconnected from each other and from the pot as required. The user would fill a pot with soil medium, and add seeds and water. Then connect the sections of the pot cover together, and then insert the connected sections of the pot cover into the upper rim of the pot, so that the pot cover sits securely on top of the pot, with the outside bottom edge (08) and (09) of the pot cover abutting the inner top rim of the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew M. Tolley, George H. Reekie
  • Patent number: 7222589
    Abstract: A bark control device (10) for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device (10) includes a housing (12) carried by the dog, the housing having a vibration dampening surface (13) covering at least a portion of the exterior of the housing (12). The device (10) also includes a bark detection mechanism (18), a stimulus delivery system (26) for delivering a stimulus to the dog to dissuade the dog from barking, and circuitry (22, 24) for activating the stimulus delivery system (26) in response to the detection by the bark detection mechanism (18) of a bark by the dog. The vibration dampening surface (13) of the housing (12) inhibits the delivery of false correction stimuli to the dog as the result of vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Albert L. Lee, IV, William S. Groh
  • Patent number: 7222587
    Abstract: A housing structure that includes a transparent opening in one wall thereof, the opening being covered with a transparent material such as PLEXIGLAS®. This opening allows a user to view the interior of the structure and ascertain the welfare of any animals within or check for pests without opening the birdhouse and risk frightening or harming the animals. In addition, the housing structure may also include a light within such that a user can illuminate the interior thereof. This allows the user to inspect the interior of the structure when it is too dark to do so without the help of an artificial light source. Moreover, the structure may include a removable roof or side wall for easy access to the interior of the birdhouse for the purpose of cleaning and the like, or access ports that may be used to access the structure without opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Dennis Todd Hagel
  • Patent number: 7213363
    Abstract: A float device which provides an on-demand change in tacking or planing direction without having to retrieve the float or adjust the float configuration. The float utilizes a float body and at least two longitudinal keel members oppositely disposed on the float body. In a first orientation, the first keel is submerged and the second keel is in the air and the float tacks in the first keel direction. A sharp pull on a tether line connected to the float causes the float body to roll 180 degrees such that second keel is submerged and the first keel is in the air and the float tacks in the second keel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Paul J. Lieb
  • Patent number: 7207291
    Abstract: An improved pet feeding dish is herein disclosed for causing pets to eat their mealtime ration at a slower pace. The pet feeding dish generally comprises an annular-shaped trough which compels the pet to move its snout in a circular fashion therethrough, thereby slowing the eating process. Additionally, obstructions in the form of wave-like indentations are formed in the base of the dish to provide for even distribution of food within the dish as well as to cause the pet to reach into each of the furrows created thereby, thus further retarding the eating process. The teachings of the present invention may be adapted for use with virtually any type of pet that is capable of consuming food from a dish structure such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, or other similar type domesticated or non-domesticated animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas R. Watts
  • Patent number: 7207253
    Abstract: The present invention is to improve the mechanical characteristics of a pyrotechnical parachute line cutting device. By enforcing the mechanical traction on the electrical connection wire by Kevlar reinforcement cords. The flexible electrical wire will be connected straight to the propellant detonator to avoid wire connections and fix the detonator trigger straight on the flexible wire. The reefing line will be cut by the blade but also, to secure the cutting action, be melt in the head of the cutter blade after explosion due to the use of special knife material size and an adapted pyrotechnical charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignees: B & B Controls, Socofimmo Holding S.A.
    Inventor: Jo Smolders
  • Patent number: 7198002
    Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for filtering milk in a milking system, wherein said arrangement comprises a movable filter magazine provided with at least three filter devices (8), each of which comprises a tube housing a disposable filter and a support structure for supporting the disposable filter, and each of which is connectable to said milking system for filtering milk therein; and an actuating device for connecting each of said at least three filter devices, one at a time, to said milking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Epke Bosma
  • Patent number: 7185607
    Abstract: A firearm enclosure for enclosing a firearm, such as a black powder pistol or rifle, and includes and elongated sleeve portion having an opening at one end into which the firearm is inserted. This opening forms a watertight seal and enclosure, preferably with a resealable closure arrangement. The other end of the sleeve is closed and receives the muzzle of a firearm. This end of the sleeve is enclosed by a material which, while being waterproof, offers little resistance to puncture by a bullet exiting a muzzle, thereby minimizing any deflection or loss of momentum of the bullet. Use of the enclosure protects the firearm during use from the elements such as rain, sleet, snow, fog, and external humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: William S. Pearson
  • Patent number: 7181885
    Abstract: An insect trapping apparatus and associated method attracts insects, such as mosquitos, by emitting a carbon dioxide gas as an insect attractant and producing a heat signature from the insect trap characteristic of a warm blooded animal and a blue light of a wavelength that attracts insects into the insect trap. The carbon dioxide gas is exhausted together with moisture through a vertically extending exhaust tube to minimize cooling of the carbon dioxide gas and minimize condensation of moisture while attracting insects through an inflow channel of an insect trap to trap the insects therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: American Biophysics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Spiro, Robert W. J. Weiss
  • Patent number: 7182012
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic cutting device has a guiding housing in which there is arranged a part to be severed, which is fashioned so as to be severable at a cut point by a cutting tool having a cutting chisel. A pressure pulse generator containing a pyrotechnic driving charge is arranged in the cutting device for generating a pressure pulse to drive the cutting tool. In the guiding housing there is arranged, between the pressure pulse generator and the cutting tool, an impact capsule that can be accelerated by the pressure pulse of the triggered pressure pulse generator toward an inner thrust base of the cutting tool on the end of the cutting tool opposite to the cutting chisel. The cutting tool has its cutting chisel abutting the cut point before the impact capsule strikes the thrust base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Brede, Jurgen Knauss, Diedrich Von Behr
  • Patent number: 7162832
    Abstract: A rodent snap trap device includes a snap bar rotatably coupled to a base. The snap bar is rotatable between a spring biased, rest position and a loaded position. A unitary trigger is pivotably coupled to the base. The trigger includes a horizontal trigger portion with a rectangular platform and a vertical trigger portion with a catch. Disposed on an external side of the vertical trigger portion, the catch is located outside of a snap zone defined by a perimeter of the snap bar in the rest position such that setting up the trap does not require a user to expose his hand to the pathway of the snap bar. Adhesive material and/or rodent attractants may be disposed on a top surface of the rectangular platform. A removable cover is disposed over the platform, covering the adhesive material and/or rodent attractants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Integrated Pest Management Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Simpson, Richard V. Price
  • Patent number: 7159358
    Abstract: A mobile, indoor, sit-and-plant gardening station that provides individuals with the year round opportunity to enjoy their love of plants and gardening well into their later years in life and enables them to garden sitting down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Stacey Yawney, James E. Yawney
  • Patent number: 7140143
    Abstract: An adjustable mounting system for a telescopic scope includes an adjustable elevation mount formed from a scope ring and an adjustable sub-base. A clevis portion of the scope ring holds an elevation pin that is received by a vertical slot in the adjustable sub-base. An internally longitudinal bore is disposed though the adjustable sub-base and an externally threaded barrel disposed in an opening of the longitudinal bore. A cylindrical elevation cam having an angled slot is disposed in the longitudinal bore and includes a positioning rod that extends through a bore disposed through the barrel. The angled slot receives the elevation pin as it extends through the vertical slot of the adjustable sub-base. The positioning rod has a shoulder portion that receives a set of roller thrust bearings and has a threaded distal end. An internally threaded dial thimble extends over the positioning rod distal end and shoulder portion to engage the external threads of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen Ivey
  • Patent number: 7137221
    Abstract: A spinning decoy device for use by hunters to attract birds, such as ducks and geese, has at least one decoy deployed in an elevated position, and a motorized system for spinning the decoy(s) so as to attract the birds. The motorized system, in a preferred embodiment, spins the decoy(s) in a circular motion. To further add realism to the device, the wings of each decoy are rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Cabela's Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Highby, Ronald D. Nelson, Gregg V. Severinson
  • Patent number: 7127995
    Abstract: An ammunition unit (1) designed to he adaptable to different types of targets (2,2?) or situations. The said ammunition unit comprises cylindrical warhead charges (4, 5) that confine or form explosive compositions (23), on or around the outside of which there are effect layers or casing containing effect elements (25, 27). These effect elements together with the explosive compositions (24) constitute the combatant function. Two or more cylindrical warhead charges (4, 5) are arranged essentially parallel alongside each other or inside each other. Each of the cylindrical warhead charges comprises effect layers around their cylindrical outer surface that provide different effects in target. The cylindrical warhead charges are rotatably arranged to assume different rotational setting modes, and in each such mode the same type or co-ordinated types of effect layers are directed outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventors: Torsten Ronn, Nils Johansson
  • Patent number: 7124535
    Abstract: An illuminated fish hook has a self-contained lithium polymer battery and light unit, preferably an LED, permanently attached thereto. The light unit is provided with an on/off switch. In an alternative embodiment the light unit is inserted directly, or a capsule containing the light unit is inserted, in a translucent fish lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tealbone, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Trembone, Scott A. Teal
  • Patent number: 7124536
    Abstract: A fishing rod holding apparatus which enables the fisherman to resist lateral and twisting loads imposed on the rod by a fish which is pulling the line from one side to the other. The apparatus comprises a forearm mounting section which is connected securely to the forearm, and a hand engagement section which engages the person's hand and also enables a gripping of the handle of the rod. The hand engagement apparatus is able to rotate about a side-to-side axis of rotation, but limits movement about a back-and-forth axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Jim Harkey
  • Patent number: 7121210
    Abstract: In one aspect, an artillery projectile apparatus is provided that includes a carrier projectile containing a payload, and a fuze disposed at an ogive of the projectile and which is configured to eject the payload when the fuze is detonated. The fuze includes a receiver configured to receive location information from a radionavigation source and a processor configured to acquire position data from the receiver. The processor is also configured to estimate a projectile flight path using the position data, to determine intercept parameters of the artillery projectile relative to an ejection plane of its payload cargo, and to adjust an ejection event initiation command time of the payload in accordance with the determined intercept parameters. In some configurations, the present invention dramatically decreases range errors typically associated with delivering artillery payloads to specific targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: KDI Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Steele
  • Patent number: 7117633
    Abstract: A one piece fabric wrap has multiple elongated pockets sewn into an inner surface. A cylindrical rope light or heat tape is positioned within the multiple pockets and hook and loop material is attached to an outer perimeter of the inside surface to provide closure of the fabric wrap around frost challenged plants. A drawstring attached along a bottom edge of the fabric wrap secures the assembled foliage wrap around the base of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Damon Andrew Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7114289
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluid is disclosed. A fluid contained in a canister is pressurized by a moveable partition driven by spring means mounted within the canister. The canister is mated to an injection nozzle to allow fluid flow from the canister though the nozzle and possibly into a body to be provided with fluid. A preferred embodiment of the dispensing apparatus is for dispensing fluid or treatment chemicals into trees and plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Bio Forest Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Black, Joe Meating