Patents Examined by Thomas P. Hilliard
  • Patent number: 5794773
    Abstract: The invention is a protective travel container for carrying one or two bowling balls and ancillary equipment. The hard cover container is filled with impact absorbing foam padding containing recesses to secure the balls and equipment in place. One handle is provided for lifting and another along with wheels for pulling the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Patricia L. Moyer
  • Patent number: 5592758
    Abstract: A ski boot which can improve the insertion and removal of a skier's foot, provide an excellent fastening feeling by fastening members, enhance the durability of a connecting portion between a cover member and a shell main body, and eliminate the possibility of water leakage. A slit is formed in the upper portion of separated & overlapping portions of a shell main body separated right and left and extending from an upper opening to an instep area of the shell main body. The slit and separated & overlapping portions are covered with a cover member from the toe portion of the shell main body to the upper opening thereof. A plurality of fastening members are used to fasten a trunk portion to be inclinably mounted to the shell main body as well as fasten the separated & overlapping portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Iwama, Seiki Ota, Keiji Tsugami
  • Patent number: 5531035
    Abstract: A snowshoe binding (304) which provides improved foot stability is disclosed. The binding (304) includes a heel stabilizing extension (308) and a flexible footwrap assembly (310) which cooperate to stabilize the wearer's foot (316). A motion limiter for limiting the range of pivotal movement of the binding (304) with respect to the snowshoe flotation plate (318) is also disclosed. The motion limiter comprises a protrusion (300) which extends from at least one of the snowshoe traction bars (212) to contact a pivot arm (302) of crampon (214) when a limit angle (A) is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mountain Safety Research
    Inventor: Bill Forrest
  • Patent number: 5529175
    Abstract: A package with surgical suture material consists of a base plate (1), a cover plate (30) and a closure plate (50). The thread (20) of a needle/thread combination is placed on the base plate (1) in several coils (24), whereby it travels through a thread guide (10, 12) and whereby in the lower region of the base plate (1) the individual coils are laid spaced apart, so that the innermost coil (25) is the one nearest to the front end (21) of the thread. The needle (22) is held by a needle holder (26). Arranged in the lower region of the cover plate (30) are brake strips (32, 33) which press against the lower regions at least of the outer coils (24) of the thread (20) when the cover plate (30) is folded onto the base plate (1). In the finished folded-together state the closure plate (50) covers the cover plate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Brunken
  • Patent number: 5526585
    Abstract: An attachment device is described that is fittable on a variety of lace-closable shoes for use with a lace-substitute hand-actuable shoe-closure system. The device is used with conventional shoes that include dual flaps positioned on opposing sides of a tongue, with each flap having plural, spaced openings formed in it for receiving a shoe lace. The attachment device includes buckle-like structure or plates positionable adjacent at least one opening in each flap, and constructed for handling via gross-motor hand movement. Also included is peg-like structure such as a threaded bolt associated with each buckle plate, and having a preselected length which allows it to extend through at least the one opening in each such flap. Fastener structure such as a tee nut is usable with the bolt to effect releasable, hand-actuable attachment of the buckle plate to each flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventors: Edward G. Brown, Margot J. Boileau, Patrick F. Boileau
  • Patent number: 5526927
    Abstract: An improved tackle box for storing and transporting lures, particularly crank bait and stick bait, comprising a case having a magnetically attractive panel disposed therein. Removable hook receptacles are secured to the lures and have magnets disposed thereon for suspending the lures from the magnetically attractive panel. In the preferred embodiment, the case includes a pair of hinged lids covering opposed open sides, with each side and each lid having a magnetically attractive panel disposed therein. Additional containers for storing other items of tackle may also be magnetically secured to the panels. A plurality of lures may be selected by the user and temporarily secured to the exterior of the case for convenient access while fishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Billy M. McLemore
  • Patent number: 5524752
    Abstract: This anti-shoplifting box has the characteristic of a particularly compact locking device openable by magnetic action combined with manual mechanical action, said device including, on an object-containing drawer, a tongue which is internal and transversely holed for engagement by a cylindrical end stem, having a spherical head with a circumferential undercut, of a ferromagnetic body which is also cylindrical but of greater diameter such as to provide an annular stop ledge for the action of a compressed spring contained within an axial hole therein and reacting against an edge of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Plasti-Max S.p.A.
    Inventor: Arnaldo Mazzucchelli
  • Patent number: 5524367
    Abstract: A spike shoe construction including a socket carrying a ribbed insert mounted on and spaced from an outer sole with each socket carrying a reusable lock for locking spikes installed in the socket. Each spike in turn carries a lock which is non-reusable in that it is so distorted or broken when removed to render it inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Trisport, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Ferreira, Roy S. Collins
  • Patent number: 5522497
    Abstract: The combined toothpaste holder and vented toothbrush container comprises a semi-cylindrical body, a flared base member, a hingedly engaged top and an insert which creates nested channels within the body. An inner channel includes a downwardly depending flange and engages a toothpaste tube while an outer channel is created within which toothbrush handles depend, the heads being held by the insert and the handles extending into openings therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Nathan Stacy
  • Patent number: 5517772
    Abstract: A snowshoe includes a perimeter frame carrying sheet-type floatation and having a hinge rod secured in transverse relation thereto. A claw plate is pivotally supported on the hinge rod and supports a binding for attaching the snowshoe to a user's boot or the like. A bridle strap or cable cooperates with the claw plate and hinge rod to limit upward pivotal movement of the claw plate relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Sherpa, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5517773
    Abstract: A variable length snowshoe (200) is provided to accommodate changing snow conditions or snowshoeing applications. The snowshoe (200) includes a flotation plate (202) and at least one detachable tail extender (204). The snowshoe (200) also includes detachable brakes (216) and toothed traction bars (212) to provide improved traction on ice and enhanced forward, rearward and side slipping protection. A de-icing crampon (214) and gripping tabs (210) which facilitate binding strap manipulation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Mountain Safety Research
    Inventors: Bill Forrest, Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 5515964
    Abstract: A lens storage container includes an integrally formed receptacle member having a spheroidal well providing a concave recess in which the lens is disposed. In some embodiments, a lip extends about a portion of the periphery of the well to maintain the lens in the well therebelow. In other embodiments, a depending portion on the closure extends into the well to keep the lens in position. A closure extends across the well and is secured to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Robert C. Bauman
  • Patent number: 5515622
    Abstract: A ventilation system for footwear having an upper and sole assembly in which perforations or openings in the sole assembly connect the interior of the shoe through a duct or passage into a pumping chamber or air bag. A pair of one-way valves connect the duct to the chamber or air bag and from the chamber or air bag outwardly through a single valve in the rear of the heel of the shoe for movement of air rearwardly through the shoe. The air bag is preferably 23.3 percent in volume of the total volume of the interior of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Ewing Athletics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 5513449
    Abstract: This cheerleader shoe (10) includes an upper (12) and a sole (14) the sole having a front portion (16), a heel porition (18) and an intermediate instep area (20). The instep area (20) includes an outside portion (22) and inside portion (24) and a connecting bottom portion (26). The outside portion (22) of the instep area (20) and the shoe heel (18) finger-receiving grooves (20,32), facilitating the holding of the shoe by a helper during the performance of cheerleader routines. The instep bottom portion (26) and inside portion (24) are molded to form a concave face (34) having ribs (36) to facilitate the seating of the instep area (20) by the shoulder of the cheerleader helper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Kaepa, Inc.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Gramola
  • Patent number: 5511325
    Abstract: A shoe having a central rotary closure arranged on the heel of the upper in the area above the location at which the heel bone is received and having at least one tightening element which has a tightening section running from the central rotary closure towards each side of the shoe. The tightening sections are coupled by a coupling element with at least one strap which runs from each tightening section or coupling element over the instep or/and by the arch to the other tightening section or coupling element. Furthermore, strap sections span the instep area between locations at which the wearer's ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints are received, these sections crossing each other as they span the instep area, and are fastened at a frontal portion of a respective side of the shoe opposite that at which it is coupled to a respective tightening section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Puma AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Hieblinger
  • Patent number: 5511324
    Abstract: An athletic shoe device that fits through the wedge sole and insole through a hole in the heel area of a sports shoe, which I named the Roosevelt Spring. The spring is activated with the weight of an athlete, while walking or running, this is done by absorbing the shock and giving energy in sequence to the athlete without losing balance or stability, and causes no pain in the foot. The athlete is also supported by the strength of the spring. It increases the lifetime to the sport shoes and will help be responsible for the decline in sports related injuries, as well as enable man to go farther and faster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Roosevelt Smith
  • Patent number: 5511659
    Abstract: A package or case for a compact disk record, comprises a molded plastic nest member formed as a slab having in one side a circular recess constituting a nest formation in which the CD record fits and is placed. Two plastic cover pieces are carried on the nest member, at least one such piece being slidable between positions which either block or else provide access to the nest formation, said cover pieces have facing, opposite edges which are curved in a manner to provide easy access to the nested record. Cooperable detents on the nest member and cover pieces control the positioning of the latter. The nest member has affixed to its back a covering card with descriptive material, such card having upturned flanged edge portions which are fitted to opposite edges of the nest member and which are also capable of displaying descriptive material relating to the record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: John Bosworth
  • Patent number: 5507106
    Abstract: An athletic shoe having a shoe body including a shoe upper, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a sole member mounted to the shoe body extending from the heel to the toe of the shoe body. The bottom of the sole member is covered with ground contacting sole to provide proper traction, and includes a first angle portion below the heel of the shoe body, a second angle portion below the toe of the shoe body, and a platform section therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Marcus Fox
  • Patent number: 5505296
    Abstract: The tissue container and disposal container arrangement of the invention is arranged to provide for a disposal container readily removed and erected from a collapsed configuration to accommodate soiled tissues subsequent to use. The disposal container is provided with a support tether to permit ease of positioning of the disposal container as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Marion H. Parker
  • Patent number: 5505307
    Abstract: An insulated cooler which can be mounted to the floor of an automobile and provides access to open beverage containers. The cooler includes an insulated box which has a front wall separated from a back wall by a pair of side walls. The front, back and side walls are attached to a bottom wall that together define an inner cavity. The insulated cooler also has a top cover adapted to enclose the inner cavity of the box. The insulated box is small enough to be placed between the driver and front passenger of an automobile. The cooler has a strip of hook and loop material which can secure the bottom wall of the box to the carpet of the car. Additionally, the top cover has a pair of apertures adapted to receive beverage containers. The apertures may be covered by a flap which can be fastened to either the front or back walls of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Auto-Shade, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Shink