Patents Examined by Teri Pham Luu
  • Patent number: 7305790
    Abstract: A light assembly having a pre-defined shape is provided to be removably attached to a guide provided on a weapon. The light assembly comprises a housing provided with a reflector having a lamp at one end thereof and batteries for powering the lamp through a switch. The housing has a pair of lateral members which are movable between a retracted position and an extended position so that, when the members are in the retracted position, the light assembly has the above-mentioned pre-defined shape and when the members are in the extended position, they are adapted to engage the guide. Means for preventing the longitudinal movement of the light assembly on the guide are also provided with the light assembly. The light assembly can thus be easily mounted and used as an aiming device with a weapon or be readily used as a separate and independent entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Leap Research Inc.
    Inventor: Ira Kay
  • Patent number: 7302915
    Abstract: An assembly device for cleaning an animal's paw and assembly methods thereof are disclosed including a container adapted to retain a cleaning agent, the container defining an opening and including a side wall, a cleaning platform disposed in said container and defining a space between said cleaning platform and said container side wall, and a squeegee member substantially covering said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: PawPlunger LLC
    Inventors: Brianne B. Leary, Andrew Taylor
  • Patent number: 7299584
    Abstract: The invention is a tackle container that incorporates interchangeable inserts. The inserts secure different kinds of fishing lures and baits. For example, the inserts hold segmented lures within notched upright posts. In this regard, the inserts may be suitably structured to hold spinner bait lures, buzz bait lures, or other fishing lures with segmented bodies. Moreover, the inserts are interchangeable to facilitate a wider variety of uses for the tackle container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Caraustar Industrial and Consumer Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Hoover
  • Patent number: 7293530
    Abstract: This invention comprises a series of lightweight, easily transportable identical frame pieces attached together to form an expandable pet enclosure that can be assembled into a multiplicity of configurations, optionally with a floor or a roof that comprises the same frame pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Barbara Italiano
  • Patent number: 7290497
    Abstract: Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Rottier, Kevin L. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 7290738
    Abstract: Separate upper and lower plenums within an aircraft airfoil or a sea hydrofoil conduct fluid under different pressures to nozzle slots from which jets emerge to augment lift in accordance with different travel conditions. Lift is induced by nozzle slot emergence of a primary jet from one of the plenums along a reverse flow path relative to secondary jet outflow from the other plenum. This capability involves angularly adjusted deflection of the primary jet outflow along forward, reverse or vertical directional flow paths from the trailing end of the airfoil or hydrofoil under zero and other different speed conditions by emergence of the secondary wall jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ernest O. Rogers, Robin D. Imber, Jane S. Abramson, Martin J. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7290499
    Abstract: A self-cleaning pet litter box has a conveyor to incrementally transport clumped litter material and solid pet waste to a waste receptacle. The conveyor has one end configured to extend into a pet litter container of the self-cleaning litter box and an opposite exit end. The conveyor is configured for reciprocating movement to lift the clumped litter material and solid pet waste from below, transport it some distance along the conveyor, place the material down again, return to its original position, and repeat the motion again to incrementally move the material along the conveyor toward the exit end for subsequent disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Richard H. Emery
  • Patent number: 7287486
    Abstract: A receptacle for the care and maintenance of living things has a housing with an interior, and a lid that is securable thereto by rotation in a first direction and detachable therefrom by rotation in a second direction. A swivel member associated with the lid permits the lid to freely rotate relative to a portion of the swivel member. The receptacle has a suspension member with a first end portion securable to the swivel member and a second end portion securable to a support member so that when the assembled receptacle is suspended from the support member, the lid can rotate relative to the swivel member without being detached from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventor: Lynn Hunter
  • Patent number: 7287487
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable water bottle, cup and dish assembly and method for humans and pets wherein a readily accessible water bottle and cup are integrally housed within a delivery dish. The portable water bottle, cup and dish assembly provides a bottle removably housed within a central compartment of a cup. In addition, the bottle is removably attached within a delivery dish so that the bottle and the cup are removably housed therein. The cup and the delivery dish are each configured in size and shape to provide access for a human and a pet to drink therefrom, respectively. Optionally, the bottle comprises an insulating internal chamber adapted to insulate the liquid housed therein, keeping the liquid at a constant temperature for a period of time. Alternatively, the cup and/or the delivery dish comprise insulating capabilities adapted to insulate the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Marni Markell Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 7287488
    Abstract: A floatable raceway (1) for cultivating fish comprising a partially submersible tank (2) for containing fish having a base (5), opposing sidewalls (6), a gate assembly (8) having removable gates (10, 11) at a water discharge end of the tank (2), and an end wall assembly (7) at a water intake end of the tank (2) having a ramp (9) extending downwardly to the base (5) and towards the gate assembly (8). The raceway (1) also includes floats (3) extending the lengths of the sidewalls (6) for keeping a top of the tank (2) above water level, an airlift assembly (4) connectable to an air supply for introducing oxygenated water to the tank (2) at the water intake end, and a baffle (14) for directing the flow of water through the tank (2) along the base (5). The raceway (1) has a pair of screen gates (10) allowing the movement of fish wastes therethrough and a pair of stop gates (11) for substantially preventing water from discharging from the tank (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Total Aqua Management Systems Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Taylor, Paul McVeigh
  • Patent number: 7287474
    Abstract: A reusable pyrotechnics support device for securely holding consumer ground-based fireworks (for example, fountains, mortars, multiple aerials, and the like) in a vertical and upright position, using a sufficiently wide base that is resistant to tipping over. In certain configurations, the apparatus is a molded plastic element formed in a generally round shape with an outer annular section and a series of resilient flexible cantilever tines extending radially inward toward a central aperture serving as a primary insertion point for the pyrotechnics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Spitdog Resources, LLC
    Inventor: James Whitley
  • Patent number: 7284502
    Abstract: A pet door decorative panel system configured to decoratively cover a pet door frame while enabling ingress and egress. The exemplary pet door decorative panel system comprises a pet door, the object in which the pet door is mounted, a pet door decorative panel, and a mounting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Jill Dotter
  • Patent number: 7281686
    Abstract: A window assembly for an aircraft fuselage comprises an exterior transparent panel and an interior transparent panel positioned in an opening of the fuselage. At least one of the transparent panels may be relatively lightweight and the exterior transparent panel may be spaced apart from and in overlying relationship with the interior transparent panel. To ameliorate pressure build up in the spaced apart area, a pressure modulator, such as a vent, may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Wood
  • Patent number: 7281348
    Abstract: An ice fishing trap comprising a main body supporting a rotatable spool for supporting a desired length of fishing line. An indicator, having both a set position and a triggered position, is supported by the main body. A release rod cooperates with the rotatable spool and, when the indicator is in its set position, and also cooperates with the indicator. The release rod has a first position in which the release rod captively retains the indicator in its set position and engages with the spool and the release rod has a second position, axially spaced from the first position, in which the release rod releases the indicator to permit the indicator to move to its triggered position, and rotation of the spool moves the release rod from its first position to its second position to actuate the indicator into its triggered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventors: George E. Allen, Jr., Daniel J. Allen
  • Patent number: 7281687
    Abstract: An in-flight refueling system and method are provided for facilitating the emergency separation of the components of a probe and drogue in-flight refueling. The in-flight refueling system and method provides a fuse device capable of being installed between, for instance, an elongate hose configured to trail from a tanker aircraft, and a drogue connected to, and in fluid communication with, the elongate hose. The fuse device may be configured to separate in response to a separating force such that the drogue may separate from the elongate hose prior to the exertion of a damaging force, a non-certified force, or an unknown aerodynamic force on the elongate hose, on a probe carried by a second receiver aircraft, or on the tanker aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven B. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7278609
    Abstract: A nose cap and control strut assembly for supersonic aircraft is disclosed. In one embodiment, the nose cap extends forward from the nose of the aircraft to deflect shock waves and decrease draft during supersonic flight. In another embodiment, control struts extending from the nose of the aircraft have control surfaces which provide yaw and pitch control for the aircraft. The control struts may be rotatable around axes substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The control struts may also be retractable into the aircraft. The nose cap may be mounted at the forward ends of the control struts in such a manner that the nose cap remains in a stationary position with respect to the aircraft when the control struts are rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Allen A. Arata
  • Patent number: 7278237
    Abstract: A system for transplant production comprises: at least one air conditioner installed in a completely light shielding closed structure surrounded by a thermally insulated wall, for controlling temperature and humidity of air in the closed structure; at least one box-shaped culturing module disposed in an internal space of the closed structure, having a front face opening which is opened to the internal space of the closed structure; a plurality of transplant production shelves arranged vertically in a multi-layer in the culturing module to form a transplant production space between upper and lower transplant production shelves; a plurality of plug trays for holding a plant growing medium mounted on each transplant production shelf; a sub-irrigation unit capable of irrigation from a bottom of the plug trays mounted on each transplant production shelf; an artificial lighting unit provided on a back of each transplant production shelf for irradiating light to the lower plug trays; and at least one air fan fixed t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Okabe, Kazuo Tsuchiya, Akio Nakaminami, Junya Fuse
  • Patent number: 7278375
    Abstract: An automated animal deterrent apparatus for mounting to a culvert, the apparatus includes attached weatherproof housings to protect its other components; a passive infrared sensor to detect pest animals within a detection zone; a siren to produce noise; a scent releasing assembly to emit an odor; a strobe light to produce light flashes; a solar panel and battery to power the apparatus; and a tube and clamp assembly for attaching the apparatus to the end of a culvert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Charles Ross, James Edward Ross
  • Patent number: 7275722
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a wing tip device, for example a winglet, a raked-tip device, a wing tip fence or a planar wing extension, mounted in the region of the tip of a wing on the aircraft. The wing tip device is rotatably moveable between a first position and a second position, in which the upward lift produced by the wing or the wing tip device is reduced. During flight, the bending moment at the root of the aircraft wing therefore changes in dependence on the position of the wing tip device. The maximum bending moment in the aircraft wing sustained during high-load conditions is thereby reduced, allowing the structural mass of the aircraft to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
    Inventors: Jan Irving, Robert Davies
  • Patent number: 7273831
    Abstract: This invention is a new floral preservative that utilizes a novel formulation of using a combination of known and readily available over the counter products that, when sprayed onto the flower as directed, approximately doubles the vase life of fresh cut flowers or preserves flowers to a pliable, non crumbly state approximating their naturally vibrant colors. It is applied to the exterior of the fresh cut flowers in a misting apparatus, therein simplifying the art of preserving flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventors: Sharlet Maree Fleskes, Mark William Fleskes