Patents Examined by Winnie Yip
  • Patent number: 10576009
    Abstract: A mobility device designed to extend the usable field of movement for people with physical limitations by allowing them to descend to the ground and ascend to an upright position with ease. A user may bring the device within their vicinity, grab onto the articulating handles and safely reach the ground to engage in a ground activity. When the ground activity is completed, the user simply grabs onto the sloping handholds and ascends step-by-step until they have made their way to a standing position. The device is portable and can be stowed around the home. It is likely to be close to the user at all times, thus it is a safe means of ensuring support when a caretaker is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Mobilix, Inc.
    Inventors: Schirin Lucie Richter, Lawrence G. Schubert, Nicholas Steigmann, Maiya Jensen
  • Patent number: 10575610
    Abstract: A two-stage folding structurer for two-fold inverted umbrella includes an umbrella shaft assembly consisting of an inner shaft tube, an outer shaft tube and a handle, and a control device set including a release mechanism mounted in the outer shaft tube, a positioning device mounted in the inner shaft tube, a spring member connected between the release mechanism and the positioning device and a control device mounted to the handle. When the outer shaft tube is received to the inner shaft tube in the received position, the release mechanism is moved close to the positioning device, and a hook of the positioning device is forced to hook in a retaining notch of the release mechanism to lock the outer shaft tube and the inner shaft tube in the received position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Sheng-Chun Li
  • Patent number: 10561567
    Abstract: A walking and sock assisting device comprising a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion comprises a left prong, a right prong, and a lower stem. The left prong comprises a left sock end, a left base, and a left stem end. The right prong comprises a right sock end, a right base, and a right stem end. The upper portion comprises a handle and an upper stem. The left stem end is coupled to the lower stem. The right stem end is coupled to the lower stem. The left sock end and the right sock end are configured to accept a sock. The left sock end and the right sock end are configured to expand the sock to allow a wearer to place a foot into the sock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Anthony Raymond Lopez
  • Patent number: 10557282
    Abstract: An umbrella canopy that opens and closes not from a stick from within the interior of the umbrella canopy but from the exterior crown where a line is pulled to open the umbrella canopy and where a button is pushed to close the umbrella canopy. The interior of the umbrella canopy includes no stick to hold up the umbrella canopy. Taut edges of the umbrella canopy hold up the umbrella canopy, for instance, on the top edges of a playyard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Brian M. McMahon
  • Patent number: 10557521
    Abstract: A cord locking apparatus is described that includes an anchoring portion operative to be secured to a surface; and a cord lock portion having: a bottom coupled to the anchoring portion, and a top, a front, a first side, a second side, and a central axis defined between the top and the bottom; a channel extending from the front to one of the first side or second side along the bottom in a channel orientation direction, the channel operative to receive a cord therethrough; and a lock slot on the front side comprising a channel end at a bottom of the slot and a lock end at the top of the slot, and operative to receive and hold the cord in a tension lock direction at an angle to the channel orientation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.
    Inventors: Cory Michael Olson, Luke Matthews
  • Patent number: 10557284
    Abstract: A portable shade apparatus includes a sheet of material, a set of cables, and a set of flexible rods coupled to the sheet of material and the set of cables. Each flexible rod has (i) a first end section which projects from the sheet of material, (ii) a second end section which fastens to a respective cable, and (iii) an inner section between the first end section and the second end section. The inner section provides support to the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Inventors: Richard J. McMillen, Jr., David E. Huang
  • Patent number: 10548804
    Abstract: A saddle for a crutch to assist a user in walking. The saddle comprises a frame having a support membrane disposed thereon, the frame and support membrane providing an inner lobe configured to rest against a torso of the user during use, an outer lobe configured to rest against an arm of the user during use, and a top portion connecting the inner lobe and the outer lobe and forming a U-shaped channel having an curved upper surface configured to fit within an armpit of the user with the U-shaped channel open along at least a portion of a downward facing side. A pivoting joint is attached. A spring mechanism having an upper portion is attached to the pivoting joint such that the joint is configured to allow the spring mechanism to move with respect to the frame along an arced path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Mobi, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Weber, Shawn Monitor, Michael Grider
  • Patent number: 10543145
    Abstract: An attachment to a mobility aid, such as a walker, wheeled walker or rollator, or wheelchair that automatically positions a slip resistant surface under the foot of the user. The distance the slip resistant surface is from the mobility aid is adjustable to suit the user. A retractable slip resistant surface attachment is removably attached to sides of the mobility aid. A sliding channel bracket is slidably attached to an attachment panel permitting the sliding channel bracket to be adjusted longitudinally. A slide panel with slide members captured by the sliding channel bracket permits an attached slip resist surface to move freely back and forth with a retraction mechanism. Adjustable, secure footing is obtained on wet or slippery surfaces preventing falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 10517789
    Abstract: The standing aid is a mobility assistance device. The standing aid is configured for use with a person. The person is further defined with a knee. The knee is further defined with a patella. The standing aid assists a person as the person moves in a manner selected from the group consisting of: 1) moving from a standing position to a kneeling position; and, 2) moving from a kneeling position to a standing position. The standing aid allows a person to transfer some of the load of their body to the supporting surface through a load path created by the standing aid. This transfer allows a person to more easily move in the selected manner. The standing aid comprises a stanchion, a plurality of supporting legs, and a handle. The plurality of supporting legs and the handle attach to the stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Petromallo
  • Patent number: 10513865
    Abstract: A shelter for an automobile has a pair of tracks positioned on opposing sides of the automobile and rest on a supporting surface such as the floor of a garage or car-port. A plurality of frames each having a u-shaped contour extend on opposing sides and over the automobile and are spaced apart from it. The terminal ends the frames are engaged with trucks which are in rolling engagement with the tracks. A canopy of a flexible material is attached over the frames and is movable between a folded state and an unfolded state when the trucks are moved within the tracks. The tracks have mutually orthogonal roller contact surfaces and the trucks have mutually orthogonal rollers positioned for rolling on the roller contact surfaces of said tracks. The canopy is able to be withdrawn from either of opposing sides and is further able to be drawn over the automobile to the supporting surface at both opposing sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Ihor Petrenko
  • Patent number: 10500121
    Abstract: A walker for maintaining balance and stability has extendable and retractable struts positioned within tubular legs for leveling the walker when climbing stairs, a curb or an incline. The struts on each side of the walker are connected to one another via cables which coordinate the motion of the struts so that when the front struts retract within their respective tubular legs the rear struts extend proportionally and vice versa. The cables may be arranged using pulleys mounted within the tubular legs or Bowden cables may be used within each of the tubular legs. User actuated clutches engage the cables to arrest the motion of the struts and temporarily fix them in a desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Ronald J Triolo, Kevin M Foglyano
  • Patent number: 10499612
    Abstract: A portable windbreak shelter assembly provides a combination shelter and windbreak which can be moved to a desired position using conventional vehicles typically available on a farm includes a shelter frame having a front, a back, a bottom face, a first lateral side face, and a second lateral side face. The first lateral side face and the second lateral side face extend upwardly from respective opposite edges of the bottom face and meet to define an apex of the shelter frame extending between the front and the back. A covering is coupled to the shelter frame wherein the covering and the shelter frame inhibit wind from passing through the shelter frame to define a sheltered interior space. The shelter frame is movable using conventional farm equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Charles H. Raml
  • Patent number: 10501958
    Abstract: A cover device (1) includes a hard case (4) suitable to be positioned on a support (5) that keeps the cover device raised with respect to a lower bottom surface (6). In the closed configuration, the case contains a cover (2) wound inside it. When the case opens, the cover is suitable to come out, unwinding and outstretching itself around the case (4) in a radial direction, passing from the wound configuration to the outstretched configuration to cover an area of space under the cover between the lower bottom surface (6) and the cover (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Inventor: Giuseppe Veracini
  • Patent number: 10494832
    Abstract: An erectable canopy framework comprising a base frame and a roof frame. The roof frame is operative to support a canopy above the base frame and is removably mountable to the base frame. The base frame includes a plurality of upright support members, a plurality of cross members, each interconnecting adjacent upright support members, and a plurality of mounts disposed on the upright support members. Each mount includes a mount opening and each cross member includes a scissor assembly to permit movement of the base frame between expanded and a collapsed states. The mounts are operative to fasten the cross members to the upright support members. The roof frame includes a plurality of rafters each connectable to a corresponding mount opening. The framework comprises a plurality of rafter fittings each adapted for insertion into a corresponding mount opening and connectable to a corresponding rafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KD Kanopy, Inc.
    Inventor: Matt Kayser
  • Patent number: 10492577
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hinged cane to assist in user mobility. The cane comprises an upper section and a lower section and a hinged mechanism that connects the upper and lower sections. The hinged mechanism comprises a lower block and an upper block and a hinge coupler pivotally connected to the lower block and to the upper block. This configuration enables the lower section to be moved from a use position over a range of travel into a fully folded position. The cane includes a catch mechanism for releasably securing the upper section to the lower section when in the use position. The cane may include a foot that has a relatively more pliable skirt and a relatively less pliable central nub to assist in maintaining the natural walking motion of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ritter, Megan Gilligan, Gregory J. Foster, Robert W. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 10487532
    Abstract: A structure formed with a frame structure and a sheet of material configured to reduce sound is wrapped around or otherwise surrounds the frame structure to form a hammock, basket, meditation pod, animal bed, snore reduction unit, wearable enclosure or other small structure, with an inner, sound limited or reduced volume. The sheet of material includes a base layer and at least one layer of sound-absorbing material, at least one layer of sound barrier material, or both, provided on or integral with the base layer. The sound limited or reduced volume includes an opening that may be closed or partially closed with a flap, canopy or hood. The flap, canopy or hood is preferably made of the same material at the sheet of material surrounding the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: Tara A. Israel, Bonnie S. Schnitta
  • Patent number: 10470963
    Abstract: A combination walker and cane includes a pair of inverted, U-shaped frame members, each having a horizontal handlebar with a front leg and a rear leg depending therefrom. One of the rear legs is detachable from the remainder of the corresponding frame member to form a walking cane, if desired. Accordingly, a user can operate the walker in a conventional fashion, or detach the rear leg to form a walking cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventors: Dustin T Donahoe, Ashley Donahoe, Volus Tucker McKenna
  • Patent number: 10463122
    Abstract: Disclosed is an umbrella that can be used as a canopy to protect a user against rain or sunlight. The umbrella may comprise an elongate member having proximal and distal end portions, a support structure that is connectable to a canopy able to be disposed about the distal end portion of the elongate member, the support structure being be adjustable between an erect position, whereby the canopy is able to be tensioned by the support structure, and a collapsed position, whereby the tension in the canopy is able to be released. The umbrella may also include a plurality of biasing means configured to inhibit the support structure from inverting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BRAND DEVELOPERS LTD
    Inventors: Philippa Halton, Brendon Tait
  • Patent number: 10455909
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pole shaft device including an outer shaft (10); an inner shaft (20) which is disposed in the outer shaft (10) and slides along the inside of the outer shaft (10); a fixing member (30) which is fixed on the inner shaft (20) and has an inclined surface formed in the circumferential direction thereof; and an extension member (40) which is coupled to the outer shaft (10) so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction thereof, and is extended by friction with the inclined surface so as to fix the outer shaft (10) and the inner shaft (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Sun Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 10450036
    Abstract: A portable canopy for use with a boat having a covered helm and at least two fishing rod holders mounted thereto. The portable canopy employs a first tubular shaped support member having a proximal end securable to a rod holder found on a fishing boat. A second tubular shaped support member having a proximal end is secured to a second rod holder, adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the first support member. The first and second support members are secured to the rod holders by use of locking pins. A spreader bar is attached to the distal end of each said support member, forming a rigid frame between the support members and the rod holders. A fabric cover extends between the support members, providing shade to the occupants beneath the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin Killian