Patents Issued in September 13, 2011
  • Patent number: D645218
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CPA Pool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossano, Eric Quiron
  • Patent number: D645219
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Baldwin
  • Patent number: D645220
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade
  • Patent number: D645221
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Queen's University, Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Stephen Brown, Eric Marcotte, Michelle Douma, Michael Miron, Doug Wilton, Peter Gallant, David Dolphin, Lee Underwood, David (Geoffrey) Robinson, Les Stokes, Peter Holdcroft, Matthew Miles
  • Patent number: D645222
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Ivor Michel Walter
  • Patent number: D645223
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bleck, Gregor Pollmann
  • Patent number: D645224
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Stack-On Products Company
    Inventors: Paul Richard Hunt, Mark S. Coulter
  • Patent number: D645225
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Stack-On Products Company
    Inventors: Paul Richard Hunt, Mark S. Coulter
  • Patent number: PP22140
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of the species Actinidia chinesis Planch is described. This cultivar named ‘AU Golden Tiger’ was developed from seeds collected from an open pollinated ‘AU Golden Dragon’ fruit. The seedling has been reproduced by rooted cuttings and grafting and tested in replicated cultivar trials. It maintains all of its unique characteristics after each propagation. Its bloom period overlaps the bloom period of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ and is the pollinizer for ‘AU Golden Sunshine’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: William Alfred Dozier, Jr., Bryan Shelton Wilkins, Jim Pitts, Curtis Jay Hansen, James D. Spiers
  • Patent number: PP22141
    Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from the controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as HR101 (not patented) and ‘Willamette’ (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the dwarfing nature of the plant which tends to produce many canes that do not grow more than approximately 600 mm in height. The plant is not suited to commercial fruit production but is very suited to ornamental uses such as in the home garden and containers where it produces attractive foliage and edible raspberry fruit comparable in size to those of taller growing varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The New Zealand Insitiute for Plant and Food Research Limited
    Inventors: Harvey K. Hall, Joseph Stephens
  • Patent number: PP22142
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant named ‘Podaras #6’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely flowering habit; sterile light violet-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventor: Peter Podaras
  • Patent number: PP22143
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant named Podaras #15?, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely flowering habit; sterile white-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventor: Peter Podaras
  • Patent number: PP22144
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant named ‘Podaras #5’, characterized by its upright plant habit; freely flowering habit; sterile light violet blue-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventor: Peter Podaras
  • Patent number: PP22145
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Dekpaddy’, characterized by its pompon-type inflorescences with light green-colored ray florets; strong and upright flowering stems; uniform and freely flowering habit; and excellent postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dekker Breeding B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis W. Dekker
  • Patent number: PP22146
    Abstract: A new Poinsettia plant named ‘SYEP216’ particularly distinguished by cultivar has brilliant red bracts with creamy white speckles, dark green foliage, bracts and leaves with pointed lobes, mid season flowering, and about medium sized, tight plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection AG
    Inventor: Katharina Zerr
  • Patent number: PP22147
    Abstract: A new variety of Verbena named ‘KLEVP09390’ particularly characterized by large flowers, an early flowering time, and good branching, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ruijun Li
  • Patent number: PP22148
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium plant named ‘Kuegrapurpi’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; compact and vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; purple and light purple bi-colored flowers; no cooling treatment required for flower initiation and development; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kühne Jungpflanzen GbR Claus & Torsten Kühne
    Inventors: Christa Hofmann, Klaus Olbricht, Katrin Meinl
  • Patent number: PP22149
    Abstract: A new Petunia plant named ‘Petpinve’ particularly distinguished by the large, light red-purple flowers with vivid purple veins, good floriferousness, medium green foliage, early flowering with a good center flowering habit, with good vigor, and exceptional branching with outwardly spreading plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection AG
    Inventor: Theodorus Cornelis Maria van Kleinwee
  • Patent number: PP22150
    Abstract: A new and distinct Vriesea sp. plant named ‘SHINE’, characterized as funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 35 cm to 40 cm in total height (when flowering) and about 45 cm in diameter; compound, orange-red (RHS 34A) and yellow-orange (RHS 14A) in color, bipinate spike inflorescence, measuring about 20 cm to 25 cm in height and about 12 cm in diameter; about 5 branches; and green foliage, measuring about 32 cm to 40 cm in length and about 3.0 cm in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Corn.Bak B.V.
    Inventors: Elly Bak, Nicolaas D. M. Steur
  • Patent number: PP22151
    Abstract: A new and distinct Vriesea sp. plant named ‘VISION’, characterized as a funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 36 cm in total height (when flowering) and about 45 cm in diameter; compound, yellow-orange (RHS 14A) bipinate spike inflorescence with a red scape (RHS 42B), measuring about 20 cm to 25 cm in height and about 10 cm in diameter; about 9 branches, measuring about 7.5 in length and about 3.5 cm to 5.0 cm in width; and medium green foliage (RHS 137A), measuring about 38 cm in length and about 3.5 cm in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Corn.Bak B.V.
    Inventors: Elly Bak, Nicolaas D. M. Steur
  • Patent number: PP22152
    Abstract: A new Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA09172’ particularly distinguished by red flower color, an early flowering time, an upright to cascading growth habit, and a uniformly mounded plant habit, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nils Klemm, Anita Stoever
  • Patent number: PP22153
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Sedum plant, ‘Noner’ that is characterized by its foliage that is green in color with bright red margins with leaves held nearly horizontal when mature, its flowers in early summer that are pink in color and emerge from flower buds that are pink in color, and its dense, very low growing plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hortech, Inc.
    Inventor: David MacKenzie
  • Patent number: PP22154
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Sedum plant, ‘Nonov’, that is characterized by its foliage that emerges very dark reddish purple in color becoming subtly variegated with gray green centers that blend into dark reddish purple margins, its flowers that are deep red in color in early summer that emerge from flower buds that are gray-purple in color, and its dense, low-growing plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hortech, Inc.
    Inventor: David MacKenzie
  • Patent number: RE42686
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Minoru Shimizu
  • Patent number: RE42687
    Abstract: A cooling air supplying structure for a refrigerator having shelves is disclosed. The cooling air supplying structure comprises a cooling air supplying duct, a plurality of shelf channels and a plurality of shelves. The cooling air supplying duct serves to supply cooling air to upper and lower portions of a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator and is vertically mounted behind the refrigerator compartment. Each of the shelf channels has a plurality of engagement slits, and at least one of the shelf channels is mounted to the cooling air supplying duct. The shelves are respectively secured to the shelf channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Joong Oh Yoon
  • Patent number: RE42688
    Abstract: A wastewater drainage system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), is provided. The system includes a pump, such as a macerator pump, in selective fluid communication with the black water tank and the gray water tank, and a drainage hose connected to the exit end of the pump for directing wastewater to a wastewater storage area. The system allows the RV user to clean the black water tank using water from the gray water tank, and allows gray water to be stored in the black water tank so that less time is spent draining the tanks and more time is spent enjoying the RV experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Lannie Stegall
  • Patent number: RE42689
    Abstract: A flexible material includes a plurality of separate resilient elements joined to a flexible, resiliently stretchable substrate. Such a material is suitable for providing protective war for human and animal bodies. Preferably, the elements includes a foam material such as a closed cell polyethylene foam and the substrate includes a knitted fabric. In an advantageous embodiment, a second flexible substrate is bonded over the elements to sandwich them between the two layers of substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Stirling Mouldings Limited
    Inventor: David Stirling Taylor
  • Patent number: RE42690
    Abstract: A surveillance system having at least one primary video camera for translating real images of a zone into electronic video signals at a first level of resolution. The system includes means for sampling movements of an individual or individuals located within the zone from the video signal output from at least one video camera. Video signals of sampled movements of the individual is electronically compared with known characteristics of movements which are indicative of individuals having a criminal intent. The level of criminal intent of the individual or individuals is then determined and an appropriate alarm signal is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Prophet Productions, LLC
    Inventor: David G. Aviv
  • Patent number: RE42691
    Abstract: Improved eyeglasses are disclosed that have improvements in comfort, safety, wear ability, and convenience, based upon improvements in the contact (bearing) surfaces where the eyeglasses touch the body by providing air passages, hydrophobic surfaces and/or ratchet-tooth-like structures to promote motion from the bottom of the lenses in front toward the end of earpieces in the back of the head; to methods, articles, etc. for providing such improvements; and to methods for improving acceptance of such improved eyeglasses, especially improved methods of doing business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Benson Aylor
  • Patent number: RE42692
    Abstract: A method for compact representation of multi-code signaling that includes determining a number of multi-codes and a code offset. A codeword is formulated that includes a code group indicator and an offset indicator. The codeword represents a compact representation of multi-code signaling and is formulated and may be decoded without the need for a look-up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Frederiksen, Troels Emil Kolding
  • Patent number: RE42693
    Abstract: A method of coding a moving picture reduces blocking artifacts. The method includes defining pixel sets S0, S1, S2 around a block boundary, selectively determining a deblocking mode as a default mode or a DC offset mode depending on the degree of blocking artifacts. If the default mode is selected, frequency information is obtained around the block boundary per pixel using a 4-point DCT kernel, for example, a magnitude of a discontinuous component belonging to the block boundary is replaced with a minimum magnitude of discontinuous components belonging to the surroundings of the block boundary in the frequency domain and the replacing step is applied to the spatial domain. If the DC offset mode is selected and a determination is made to perform DC offset mode, the blocking artifacts in a smooth region are removed in the DC offset mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Video Enhancement Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Hyun Mun Kim, Jong Beom Ra, Sung Deuk Kim, Young Su Lee
  • Patent number: RE42694
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that allow a user to access communications services using a service node or a computer suitably connected to a communications-applications support system at a service provider's facility. The user is provided with information as to the communications services available. These services may be ordered for implementation on and use with the service node or the user's computer or on the computer used in connection with the support system. The implementation and performance of the communications services for the user be monitored, and if substandard, then remedial action may be taken by the system. Also, upgrades, maintenance, and new services may be transferred from the system to the user's computer as appropriate. Advantageously, the user is relieved from provisioning, configuring, maintaining, updating, or educating individuals about these communications services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Writeback Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael B. Coffee
  • Patent number: RE42695
    Abstract: A reinforced silt retention sheet and systems for silt retention are provided. The reinforced silt retention sheet includes a non-woven fabric having a series of entangled polymer fibers with a reinforcing material secured within the fabric. The resultant reinforced silt retention sheet further can have openings of a desired size to enable filtering of a flow of fluid passing through the reinforced silt retention sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Silt-Saver, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R. Singleton
  • Patent number: RE42696
    Abstract: An electrode assembly and a lithium ion secondary battery using the same capable of preventing a short circuit from being created in an outer peripheral portion of the electrode assembly. Uncoated areas of positive and negative electrode plates and an active material layer in the inner and outer peripheral portions of the electrode assembly are optimally aligned such that the thickness of the electrode assembly is uniformly formed widthwise along the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Chun Kim, Jeong Man Park
  • Patent number: RE42697
    Abstract: A network and method of operating a network of wireless service providers adapted to interact with a plurality of omni-modal wireless products within a given geographic area in a manner to permit the wireless service providers to “borrow” radio frequencies from other wireless service providers within the same geographic region. As a cellular service provider in a given region finds that one of its service areas or cells has become nearly or fully loaded, frequency could be borrowed from a competitor, such as a PCS provider serving the same region. Selected omni-modal wireless product users in the overloaded area would be told to switch their omni-modal to the “leased” frequency but to use the non-PCS communications protocol appropriate to the type of service desired by the user. Implementation of this method broadly within a given geographic region will have the effect of insuring that the available radio spectrum is used to its maximum capacity to serve the needs of the wireless users on a real time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: MLR, LLC.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Sainton, Charles M. Leedom, Jr., Eric J. Robinson
  • Patent number: RE42698
    Abstract: A treadmill device includes two treadmills disposed above a base and each having a tread supported around a platform and each has one end rotatably supported on the base with a shaft which may be driven by a motor. An arm has a middle portion pivotally supported on the base and has two ends located below and coupled to the treadmills, for elevating one of the treadmills when the other treadmill is lowered, such that the two treadmills may be operated as a stepping exerciser. A latch may be used to lock the treadmills together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Hai Pin Kuo, Gary D. Piaget
  • Patent number: RE42699
    Abstract: A stationary exercise device includes a frame member having a transverse pivot axis. A first and a second foot tread member are operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the first end of each foot tread member to the a respective pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, so that each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path about the pivot axis. Each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member. Each foot tread member second end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the second end of each foot tread member to a support surface. The glide members direct each foot tread member second end along a reciprocating path of travel, as each foot tread member first end travels in an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Shifter, Inc.
    Inventor: Jase Graber
  • Patent number: RE42700
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that are inducers or inhibitors of apoptosis of apoptosis preceded by cell-cycle arrest. In addition, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating mammals with leukemia or other forms of cancer or for treating disease conditions caused by apoptosis of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Oregon State University, SRI International, Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Department of Veterans Affairs, Wayne State University
    Inventors: Marcia Dawson, Joseph A. Fontana, Xiao-Kun Zhang, Mark Leid, Ling Jong, Peter D. Hobbs
  • Patent number: RE42701
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE42702
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for filtering unsolicited electronic commercial messages. A system and method according to the present invention for screening out unsolicited commercial messages comprises the steps of receiving a message from a sender, sending a challenge back to the sender, receiving a response to the challenge, and determining if the response is a proper response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Alan Cobb
  • Patent number: RE42703
    Abstract: In a system for appliance back-up, a primary appliance is coupled to a network, whereby the primary appliance receives requests or commands and sends a status message over the network to a standby appliance, which indicates that the primary appliance is operational. If the standby appliance does not receive the status message or the status message is invalid, the standby appliance writes a shutdown message to a storage device. The primary appliance then reads the shutdown message stored in the storage device and disables itself from processing requests or commands. When the primary appliance completes these tasks, it disables communication connections and writes a shutdown completion message to the storage device. The standby appliance reads the shutdown completion message from the storage device and initiates a start-up procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: FalconStor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Wei Chen, Stephen Anthony McNulty
  • Patent number: RE42704
    Abstract: Materials and methods for producing fibrinogen in transgenic non-human mammals are disclosed. DNA segments encoding A?, B? and ? chains of fibrinogen are introduced into the germ line of a non-human mammal, and the mammal or its female progeny produces milk containing fibrinogen expressed from the introduced DNA segments. Non-human mammalian embryos and transgenic non-human mammals carrying DNA segments encoding heterologous fibrinogen polypeptide chains are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pharming Intellectual Property B.V.
    Inventors: Donna E. Prunkard, Donald C. Foster
  • Patent number: 8015617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to body armor articles for resisting ballistic objects. The articles comprise woven fabric layers and sheet layers. The woven fabric layers are made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. The sheet layers comprise non-woven random oriented fibrous sheets and/or non fibrous films. The woven fabric layers and the sheet layers are stacked together comprising a first core section which includes at least two repeating units of, in order, at least one of the woven fabric layers then at least one of the sheet layers. The sheet layers comprise 0.5 to 30 wt % of the total weight of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Leopoldo Alejandro Carbajal, Minshon J. Chiou, Patrick F. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8015618
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an evaporative cooling clothing system for reducing body temperature of a wearer of the clothing system. The clothing system includes a clothing article configured using a wicking fabric and a hollow transport defining a cavity for transporting a liquid from a liquid reservoir to an upper region of the clothing article. The hollow transport has an intake section and a dispensing section. The intake section is attached to the liquid reservoir for receiving the liquid, and the dispensing section is attached to the upper region of the clothing article. The upper region of the clothing article receives the liquid from the dispensing section and transfers the liquid to a lower region of the clothing article. The lower region of the clothing article exposes the liquid to an environment surrounding the clothing article for evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Leslie Owen Paull
  • Patent number: 8015619
    Abstract: A body harness having an adjustable waist strap; a shoulder strap having a first distal end affixed to a right side of said waist strap and a second distal end affixed to a left side of said waist strap generally opposite from said first distal end so that said shoulder strap is carried by said waist strap in a looping arrangement; a back strap affixed between said waist strap and shoulder strap, wherein said back strap extends approximately between a midpoint of said waist strap and a midpoint of said shoulder strap for supporting the back of the user when being dragged; an elongated drag strap carried by said back strap and disposed generally at the intersection of said back strap and said shoulder strap for extending to facilitate dragging of the user; and, a hand grip carried by said drag strap for increased grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: North American Rescue, LLC
    Inventors: Sean McKay, David E. O'Neal, Arthur L. Dobbins
  • Patent number: 8015620
    Abstract: Vapor permeable retroreflective material for use on protective garments. The material may be formed in a non-continuous pattern that provides a high-level of retroreflective brightness, yet also provides adequate permeability to prevent exposure to trapped thermal energy and heated moisture. The non continuous retroreflective pattern may include retroreflective regions and non retroreflective regions arranged such that thermal decay through the protective garment is not substantially decreased in the regions corresponding to the retroreflective material. Rather, vapor permeation and thermal decay through the garment may be substantially the same as if the retroreflective material was not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rino A. Feduzi, Robert L. Jensen, Jr., Jeanine M. Shusta
  • Patent number: 8015621
    Abstract: A protective shoulder pad assembly for use in contact sports. The shoulder pad assembly includes a flexible vest, a pair of rigid shoulder pads attached to the vest, and a pair of straps extending from a back side of the vest. The straps can each be refastenably attached to a front side of the vest. In particular, the straps can be crossed over one another in an “X” configuration on the front side of the vest, thereby directly securing each strap to both a front right portion and a front left portion of the vest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Udelhofen
  • Patent number: 8015622
    Abstract: A sterile glove that includes a hand and finger portion, a cuff having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a cuff rim. The cuff is adapted to be folded over at a fold when the glove is packaged, and a portion of the inside surface of the cuff becomes an outer facing surface when it is folded over. The glove further includes a detachable tab that is coupled to the inside surface and includes a free end and a non-free end. The glove further includes a detachable shield covering at least a portion of the outer facing surface when the cuff is folded over at the fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jagmohan Bhalla
  • Patent number: 8015623
    Abstract: A belt extender for installation on a belt with a removable buckle comprising a main body with a first end and a second end, a metal tab fixedly attached to and extending from a first end of the main body of the belt extender, and a longitudinal slot roughly centrally disposed on the main body of the belt extender. The main body folds over itself at a fold line that extends through the center of the longitudinal slot and is secured in place with snap fasteners to create a folded end. A belt buckle comprising a tongue and a frame is installed on the folded end of the belt extender by sliding the frame of the belt buckle over the second end of the belt extender and inserting the tongue through the longitudinal slot prior to folding. The metal tab is inserted into a longitudinal slot on the buckle end of the belt strap and rotated so that the main body of the belt extender is aligned with the belt strap on the buckle end of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: High Valley Ranch Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: George E. Lee, Erik Philip Ericksen
  • Patent number: 8015624
    Abstract: A helmet system that employs an outer shell and a unitary inner shell formed with compatible grooves and ridges respectively. The outer shell is formed with a switch. The outer shell and inner shell are further secured together via magnetic force or a system of springs and levers in conjunction with the switch that allows for a user of the helmet system to seamlessly remove the outer shell through either a set amount of breakaway force or by using the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Mary-Ellen Baldackin, Mike Bosley