Patents Represented by Attorney Craig A. Simmermon
  • Patent number: 8323181
    Abstract: Endoscope and method comprise a micro endoscope with insertion end that is about 1-2 millimeters in outer diameter and includes an optical fiber image bundle, two optical laser fibers, two illumination source optical fiber bundles, along with three focusing lenses for image bundle and laser fibers. Insertion end may be inserted in a female milk duct, other body cavity, or internal organ to inspect for cells and lesions. Visual inspection is aided by the use of special mixtures of light sources to observe the distinction between normal and abnormal cells. If abnormal cells or lesions are detected and the surgeon decides cells or lesions are non-cancerous, the surgeon may then use endoscope to precisely burn, ablate, or otherwise kill abnormal cells at their point of origin on the milk duct, other body cavity, or internal organ. The procedure is minimally invasive and much less costly than many other similarly functioning medical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Apurba Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8320987
    Abstract: Electric potential mapping and electrode attachment device comprises: a main cylinder; a center piece having a center piece passage for receiving a catheter with its electrode running from a center piece inlet to a center piece outlet; a cylinder cap for closing main cylinder; a second cylinder which fits inside of and is allowed to rotate relative to main cylinder; and at least two electromechanical connections used to connect the device to at least two connectors on an electrode lead, where the device facilitates rotation and movement of each connector relative to the other while retaining continuous electrical connection with heart tissue or other body cavity tissue. The device offers continuous recording of electrical potentials of a body cavity during full rotation of collars, connectors, or connections on a laparoscopic device during HIS bundle mapping, pacemaker electrode anchoring, post anchoring, pacemaker programming, and afterwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Pramod M. Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 8237555
    Abstract: A hazardous vehicle alert system comprising a control module, a special graphical user interface, a speed and distance detector, and an alarm module where the user sets alarm triggers based on reaction time until potential impact from the hazardous vehicle. The user can assess the landscape, traffic patterns, and specifics of the task at hand to determine the required reaction time to take evasive maneuvers from the threat of on-coming hazardous vehicles and create alarm triggers to yield this reaction time. A software package is used to drive the graphical user interface, control module, alarm module, and detector module. The system includes modes ranging from one to four pieces and a mode that can be installed in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Tom McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8143506
    Abstract: A hammer assembly for a grand piano comprising: a hammer, a hammer shank, a tubular lever interface, and a moveable knuckle. A grand piano tubular lever interface comprises: a deep socket; a set of two hinge pin attachment holes; a void area; and a moveable knuckle visual location system. A moveable knuckle comprises: a spline; a resilient core; a synthetic buckskin wear surface, and a moveable knuckle visual location system. Novel hammer assembly allows for a direct lever relationship between hammer shank and knuckle without requirement of a forked end hammer shank with knuckle slot. Best mode spline comprises: an upright rectangular portion and a wide base portion, wherein wide base portion includes an intricate shape. Intricate shape comprises: at least one recess area and at least one protrusion area. The inverse of intricate shape is included on the bottom of the tubular lever interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7998728
    Abstract: Multiple Tray Vermicomposter with Thermal Siphon Airflow is a vermiculture composting device that uses earthworms to create compost where worms eat and digest food to excrete compost. It is a multiple tray system with a base and a lid. New compost trays with freshly loaded food and bedding are stacked on top of older trays containing worms and compost to instigate a continuous upward migration of the worms thereby creating continuous compost production. Compost trays have permeable bottoms to allow worms to pass through. Compost production is accelerated from thermal siphon airflow to provide ample airflow to the worms without the requirement of a power source. Light-tight air-permeable connections between trays, lid, and base, also accelerate compost production by keeping the worms completely dark. If worms fall through the bottom compost tray, there exists a ramp to enable the fallen worms to climb back into the bottom compost tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Ralph Rhoads, George Anderson
  • Patent number: 7781652
    Abstract: A universal grand piano piano action that has adjustable connections between the repetition base, heel, and rest cushion bracket of the piano action to provide a piano action that can be adjusted to fit any grand piano. Other components of the grand piano piano action, such as the jack and flanges, may require specific design and manufacture for each brand of grand piano. Universal grand piano piano action also allows true simultaneous half stroke keyboard design for both the white and sharp keys of a piano and includes the methods for installing simultaneous half stroke keyboard design into a grand piano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7780013
    Abstract: An improved fire department connection (FDC) having an accessible debris filter box interposed vertically in the line to permit the removal of undesired introduced solids to prevent the solids from clogging the sprinkler system which is in fluid communication with the base of the FDC. The box has a permanent filter, or removable filter media or a combination of the two types of filters, all accessible via a front removable plate thereon. The debris filter box may also be interposed vertically in other fluid flow systems that are subject to the introduction of undesired solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Karl Kern
  • Patent number: 7687692
    Abstract: A hammer shank and a separate shank butt component for a grand piano hammer assembly with increased rigidity, reduced inertia, and the collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. Hammer shank comprises a long cylindrical member that is connected at one end to a traditional grand piano hammer and at the other end to a novel shank butt. Shank butt comprises: a hammer shank hole, a knuckle slot, a set of two flange attachment holes, and a void area. A traditional grand piano knuckle is attached to the knuckle slot. The shank butt is connected to the repetition flange of the piano. The invention provides the capability for a piano to be played with less touch weight on the keys and therefore provides a more responsive piano keyboard. The invention also allows for full “retrofitability” of hammer assembly into all existing grand piano brands. Embodiments include a composite shank butt that is a molded article and a composite hammer shank that is an extruded or molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7687694
    Abstract: Composite or plastic molded articles used in a grand piano piano action. The articles make up a piano action with less dynamic mass which is, thus, more responsive to the piano player. In addition, the new action provides the extremely valuable collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. Low inertia grand piano piano action comprises a repetition base with one or more of the following: an angled main beam, an angled balancier support beam, an integrated jack button stop, and a means to optionally connect a rest cushion assembly. Low inertia grand piano piano action may also comprise a heel with extremely low mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7638696
    Abstract: An improved key pin and action pin that is resistant to corrosion, is very durable and has surfaces with a very low coefficient of friction. The pins are preferably made of aluminum or aluminum alloy with a hardened anodized oxide surface. The anodized pins may be polished to provide a surface with a very low coefficient of friction that is also very durable. As a consequence of the low friction and corrosion resistance, piano actions using the pins have less resistance providing an action with a lighter “feel” and consistency. Longevity of the components of the action and the pins is also greatly improved especially for pianos located in humid climates where traditional pins experience corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Burgett, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Clark
  • Patent number: D614374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: George Anderson
  • Patent number: D636430
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: D641392
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: D663652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: George Anderson, Danny Carlos Johnson