Patents Represented by Attorney Duckor Spradling & Metzger
  • Patent number: 8317019
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a basket for use with a golf ball range picker having a support frame. The basket may include a pair of inwardly offset handles in the basket side walls for ease of lifting when a series of two or more like baskets are arranged in a closely spaced side by side configuration. A pair of front edges of front side wall sections are each tapered outwardly toward the front to minimize or at least greatly reduce the surface area formed by abutting vertical edges with a like basket, to help guide the golf balls being thrown by the range picker into the baskets, and not deflect them inadvertently away from entering the baskets by otherwise providing thick abutting vertical edges which could block the path of travel of the golf balls. A front flange is disposed substantially along the entire length of the front of the basket for resting securely on a front portion of the support frame, and a rear flange is adapted for resting securely on a back portion of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cruce, James Graham
  • Patent number: 8312572
    Abstract: A telescoping plumbing device and method is provided. The telescoping plumbing device and method may employ a flexible cable at least partially disposed within a plurality of nested pipes or tubes capable of being extended and retracted telescopically, so that the cable may be pushed down a toilet or drain by collapsing the plurality of pipes abruptly and forcibly from the extended position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Scott Heffner
  • Patent number: 8149084
    Abstract: A remote control apparatus and method of using are disclosed for controlling an electronic appliance such as a television set, radio, computer, or other. The remote control apparatus may include a hand held housing, a wireless transmitter for sending signals to the appliance, and a manually operated rotary controller for causing operation adjusting signals to be generated and supplied to the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Lane T. Hauck
  • Patent number: 8117046
    Abstract: Mobile clinicians conduct in-home patient visits utilizing on-site diagnostic and treatment equipment, where service is enhanced by the use of portable computing and communications equipment. Initially, a mobile care entity provides a network of predesignated mobile clinicians, each having the use of a preprogrammed portable computer. Each computer is coupled to a wireless communications device, and includes local storage of patient data. Under a predetermined schedule, each portable computer updates patient data in the local storage utilizing the wireless communications device to download updates from a central storage facility. Whenever the mobile care entity receives requests for medical service at a patient's premises, the entity selects a mobile clinician and dispatches him/her to the patient's premises. The clinician visits the patient's premises accompanied by an assortment of electronic diagnostic and treatment devices, such as a pulse oximiter, x-ray machine, lab analyzer, EKG equipment, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: C. Gresham Bayne
  • Patent number: 8059835
    Abstract: An impulsive communication activated device for connection to a computer input port for controlling a computer, is disclosed. The disclosed device includes an output connector for communicating with the computer input port, and includes a sensor for detecting an impulsive communication such as a hand clap or other predetermined input, to generate an impulsive signal. The disclosed device includes a comparator for responding to both a reference signal and to the impulsive signal, and to determine if the impulsive signal differs substantially from the reference signal to generate a start signal. The disclosed device includes a logic circuit responsive to the start signal for generating a predetermined computer command signal to control the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Lane T. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7970975
    Abstract: Embodiments of a secure module recorder system and method for securing recording and storing of information is provided. The system may include at least one secure module and a docking station having at least one receptacle for holding one of the secure modules. The secure module may include a tamper-resistant case, an input port for receiving an analog signal, a recording circuit for converting the analog signal into digitally formatted data, a memory device for storing the digitally formatted data, a playback circuit for reading the digitally formatted data from the memory device and converting the digitally formatted data into an analog playback signal, and an output port for transmitting the analog playback signal. The docking station may further include a first interface for receiving the analog signal from an external device and a second interface disposed within the receptacle for interfacing with the input port of the secure module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sekai Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Yamaguchi, Lawrence J. Klementowski, Timothy A. Dye, Mattias E. Nilsson, Masakazu Sekine
  • Patent number: 7927082
    Abstract: A highly efficient fluid pump and pumping method are disclosed. The pump includes a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder defining a first and second volume in the cylinder, and a motive actuator for driving reciprocatively a rod attached to the piston at a rate of substantially sinmx for x=0 to ?, where m is a number greater than one, during a power stroke of that piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: GTH Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Haudenschild
  • Patent number: 7921861
    Abstract: An adjustable lighted walking aid adapted to be used in low light or dark areas is disclosed and may include a cane having a front light for illuminating obstacles being encountered in front of the user and a back light for simultaneously illuminating the area proximate the feet of the user so that the user may see and thus help avoid upcoming obstacles in front, as well as observe the area at his or her feet while walking. The cane may be used in its generally vertical manner during use to assist properly the stability of the user, and is adjustable in its length to accommodate a variety of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Randal A. Navarro
  • Patent number: 7920539
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for allowing communications between a base station and a group of mobile transceivers in a communications network used for a merchant facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Stanford, Scott Hoeptner
  • Patent number: 7906160
    Abstract: An improved protein beverage/drink composition, is disclosed and provides a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 6 volumes of carbonation which is used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink and which is also used to inactivate pathogenic microbes. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. High pressure processing may also be used to inactivate microbes. The high pressure processing may be carried out prior to or after carbonation, and prior to or after packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: NEXT Proteins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Sherwood, David A. Jenkins, Steven A. Rittmanic
  • Patent number: 7897192
    Abstract: An improved carbonated protein beverage/drink composition which provides a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight, while simultaneously employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 4 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is whey protein. The carbonated protein beverage may contain an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. The carbonated protein beverage is heat treated to inactivate microbes in the presence of the carbonation. Typically, the treatment for microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the carbonated protein drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: NEXT Proteins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Sherwood, David Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7845606
    Abstract: A mounting method and system are disclosed for a mounting device for a piece of equipment having an accessory receptacle. The mounting device may include at least two arms connected together providing at least two rotation axes, a mounting stud for mating with the accessory receptacle and connected to one of the two arms providing at least one rotation axis, and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipment and connected to the other one of the two arms providing at least two rotation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Shawn T. Dennison, Stanley C. Aguilar
  • Patent number: 7842326
    Abstract: An improved carbonated protein beverage/drink composition which provides a relatively bill protein content, ranging from about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight, while simultaneously employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 4 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is whey protein. The carbonated protein beverage has been heat treated to inactivate microbes in the presence of the carbonation which is used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the carbonated protein drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: NEXT Proteins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Sherwood, David A. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7799363
    Abstract: An improved protein beverage which may provide a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink) to about 6 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain juice and/or an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. The protein beverage may be heat treated to inactivate pathogenic microbes in the presence of the carbonation which may be used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for pathogenic microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the protein drink. The protein beverage may be prepared from a protein beverage concentrate, which may be in the form of a syrup concentrate or a powder concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: NEXT Proteins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Sherwood, David A. Jenkins, Steven A. Rittmanic
  • Patent number: 7794770
    Abstract: An improved protein beverage/drink composition which may provide a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 6 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain juice and/or an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. The protein beverage may be heat treated to inactivate pathogenic microbes in the presence of the carbonation which may be used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for pathogenic microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the protein drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: NEXT Proteins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Sherwood, David A. Jenkins, Steven A. Rittmanic
  • Patent number: 7788833
    Abstract: An animated light source and method are provided. The light source may include a plurality of solid-state emitters and a control circuit for controlling the selective energization of the emitters individually to from a beam of light along an axis. The emitters may be selectively energized to provide the appearance of motion of light within the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Lane T. Hauck, Kevin T. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7784479
    Abstract: An adjustable lighted walking aid adapted to be used in low light or dark areas is disclosed and may include a cane having a front light for illuminating obstacles being encountered in front of the user and a back light for simultaneously illuminating the area proximate the feet of the user so that the user may see and thus help avoid upcoming obstacles in front, as well as observe the area at his or her feet while walking. The cane may be used in its generally vertical manner during use to assist properly the stability of the user, and is adjustable in its length to accommodate a variety of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Randal A. Navarro
  • Patent number: 7727131
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed. The system may include a linked stretch tube. The linked stretch tube may include a first stretch tubing section having a first end and a second end; a second stretch tubing section having a first end and a second end; a first linking device permanently, flexibly connecting the first end of the first stretch tubing section to the first end of the second tubing section; and a first connection device flexibly connected to the second end of the first stretch tubing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Brett J. Longo
  • Patent number: 7710127
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for reading a test strip by measuring the light intensity incident on a photodiode. The method may include reverse biasing the photodiode, measuring a time required to charge a capacitor using current generated by the photodiode, and using the time required to charge the capacitor to determine a condition of the test strip. The system may include a photodiode being reverse biased and a capacitor being charged by the reversed biased photodiode. The length of time to charge the capacitor may be proportional to the light intensity incident on the photodiode and may be used to determine a condition of the test strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: FCC, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Sturman
  • Patent number: D629637
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Spectrum Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hunt, Thomas E. Veloskey