Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm James C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8312910
    Abstract: A curtain or other panel comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of fastener elements spaced along and adjacent the sheet perimeter to be attached to mating fastener elements respectively on a structural member for hanging one edge portion of the sheet from the structural member. The plurality of sheet fastener elements are positioned along and adjacent the sheet perimeter in a quantity and spacing over the entirety of the sheet perimeter to be attached to respective ones of the structural member fastener elements for hanging other edge portions of the sheet from the structural member so that the panel can be hung from the structural member in a variety of alternative origami-like patterns. A structure and method for adding or changing or removing the panels. The mating fastener elements are attached to the lower edge of a pull-down shade or other pull-down member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Robyn A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8215056
    Abstract: A device for preventing plant growth around a post, comprising an opaque sheet, an opening in the sheet, and a slit extending entirely from the opening to the perimetric edge. A fastener structure is arranged to fasten one of the edge portions to an other of the edge portions in a relationship wherein the edge portions overlap thereby effecting a slope of the sheet downwardly from the opening to the perimetric edge and wherein the opening is shaped to have a first shape when the edge portions are not overlapping and to have a second shape to conform to the post when the edge portions are fastened in the overlapping relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel T. Frederick
  • Patent number: 8191918
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a boot to a ski with the heel end of the boot being height adjustable. The toe end portion of the boot is pivotly attaching to the ski. A pair of members engaged to the heel end portion and the ski respectively engage each other in a manner to provide height adjustability of the heel end of the boot. A track on either of the boot or the ski is slidably engaged by the respective member. One of the members has an inclined serrated surface which engages a serrated surface of the other member for adjusting height. Alternatively, one of the members has an inclined surface, and height adjustment is achieved by a threaded rotatable member on one of the members which threadedly engages longitudinally spaced indents or other formations in the other member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael M. Pupko
  • Patent number: 8123001
    Abstract: A combination of parts for and method of constructing a modular platform. A frame beam connector member is connected to respective end portions of a pair of frame beams while the pair of frame beams are in substantially a side-by-side relation. One of the frame beams is then swung relative to the other to a co-axial position of the frame beams relative to each other. Then another frame beam connector member is connected to the respective end portions of the frame beams while the frame beams are in the co-axial position thereby to maintain the pair of frame beams in the co-axial position. A deck support beam is connected to a frame beam while in substantially a side-by-side relation therewith. The deck support beam is then swung to a position normal to the frame beams. The deck support beam is then connected to another frame beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci
  • Patent number: 8047256
    Abstract: A curtain kit comprising a sheet of curtain material having a sheet perimeter and a plurality of fastener elements spaced along and adjacent the sheet perimeter to be attached to mating fastener elements respectively on a structural member for hanging one edge portion of the curtain sheet from the structural member. The plurality of sheet fastener elements are positioned along and adjacent the sheet perimeter in a quantity and spacing over the entirety of the sheet perimeter to be attached to respective ones of the structural member fastener elements for hanging various other edge portions of the curtain sheet from the structural member so that the curtain can be hung from the structural member in a variety of alternative origami-like patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Robyn A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8047353
    Abstract: A conveyor comprising an endless accumulation chain and at least two sets of devices for effecting incremental movements of the chain at respective stations. Each set of devices includes a first device for engaging and disengaging respectively the chain, a second device engaged to the first device for moving it from a first position to a second position while it is engaged to the chain for effecting an incremental movement of a portion of the chain and for retracting the first device to the first position while the first device is disengaged from the chain, and a third device for engaging the chain to lock the chain portion in a fixed position while the first device is disengaged from the chain and for disengaging from the chain when the first device is engaged to the chain portion so that the first device may be moved to the second position for incrementally moving the chain portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald L. Plesh, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8042196
    Abstract: Camouflage apparel for a hunter or solder or the like comprising a cape or sheet composed of camouflage material. The cape may be separate or attached to a pouch or hood of camouflage material. The cape and hood may be separate or attached to a portion of a vest which extends across the back of the neck of the wearer thereof such that the cape is receivable in the hood for stowage and such that the cape may be removed from the hood to drape across the front of the wearer. The vest has a seat which is stowably securable to the rear of the vest by straps which are fastened by buckles which are manipulatable at locations in front of the vest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Richard C. Kirby
  • Patent number: 8016638
    Abstract: A mouth-operated game call comprising at least one sound-making diaphragm, a frame in which an edge portion of the diaphragm is received, and a housing in which the frame is received, wherein the housing is composed at least partially of a cushion or foam material in order to provide improved sealing against the roof of the mouth or denture plate and to relieve discomfort on the tongue by a tab of the call. A member is positioned between the frame and the housing and is shaped to effect a curvature of an outer surface of the housing for sealingly conforming to a contour of a user's palate or upper denture plate. The frame is folded to comprise a pair of upper and lower frame portions between which the diaphragm is received and wherein a tab on the lower frame portion is folded over onto the upper frame portion so that the tab is not in a position to irritate the user's tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: R. Christian Kirby, Richard C. Kirby
  • Patent number: 7996318
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a multi-function electronic transaction card or MET card, which comprises a base card and at least two conventional magnetic stripes. As such, they can be used in either proprietary or syndicated applications employing credit, debit, cash, and borrowing, as well as, information storage, single and co-branding programs, award points, loyalty programs, affinity programs, personal identification, licenses, and electronic keys. MET cards can also be used to reduce soliciting, issuing, delivering, confirmation, monitoring, and billing costs. The incidence of criminal theft and unauthorized use is also significantly decreased as is the overall quantity of environmental waste generated. Where required, MET cards may also utilize one or more electronic chips and/or radio frequency identification tags in order to further enhance functionality. As a result, MET cards offer a level of performance and versatility that is reliable, innovative, and highly marketable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Victor Marcon
  • Patent number: 7989001
    Abstract: A method for separating tumor cells with lymphotropic metastatic potential from those without lymphotropic metastatic potential in a human carcinoma. Cells of the carcinoma are transplanted in each of a plurality of fresh athymic mice. At least one of the athymic mice which does not develop a palpable tumor at the transplant site is treated to suppress the T-cell independent innate anti-tumor activity of natural killer cells therein. Tumor-forming cells at the transplant site of the treated athymic animal are harvested to obtain a cell line of cells with lymphotropic metastatic potential, which is also tested for the expression of T-lymphocyte associated molecules. Such cells are intimately associated with low or diminished angiogenicity and immunogenicity. The traditional scientific criteria for human cancer cells is re-defined, and therapeutic targets for human cancer cells is re-focused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Untae Kim, Stefan A. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7927172
    Abstract: A holder for a cylindrical game call or other object. A pair of opposed cooperating jaws made of acrylonitrile butadiene stryene or other spring material resiliently hold the call. A member is detachably attachable to a tree trunk or other structure, and the jaws are rotatable relative to said member so that the call may be easily rotated alternately between right-side-up and upside-down positions for making sounds, without the necessity of a hunter having to hold the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: R. Christian Kirby, David J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7785166
    Abstract: A game call for controlling sound quality (volume and pitch) of an internal bellows call. A hand-manipulable external bellows or other device provides air through an aperture to the internal bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Richard C. Kirby
  • Patent number: 7709189
    Abstract: A method of predicting the lymphotrophic metastatic potential of a solid non-lymphoid tumor. The percentage of cells of each of a plurality of representative samples of the tumor which express lymphoid gene products is determined. The metastatic potential is predicted to be low when no tumor cells in all of the samples are detected to express lymphoid gene products. The metastatic potential is predicted to be high when a high percentage of tumor cells in at least one of the samples are detected to express lymphoid gene products. Expression of SYKB in any of a plurality of samples of a primary colon tumor is indicative that the primary colon tumor has lymphotrophic metastatic potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Stefan A. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7631433
    Abstract: A sighting device for a bow. A light emitting diode (LED) or other initiator of light emits light to form a bright sight point in a line of sight of the bow when the bow is held in a position for shooting, wherein the initiator is spaced from the bright sight point at a position such that it does not obstruct the line of sight of the bow. The initiator is responsive to an indication of an electronic level or other indicator of orientation that the shooting instrument is within a predetermined angle, preferably about 1 degree, of side-wise tilt. Alternatively, a photo optic cable or other light transmitting flexible tubular member has a first end which receives light from a light emitting diode (LED) or other initiator of light and a second end at which the received light is emitted. The second end of the tubular member is positioned to provide the sight point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Howard R. Labowski
  • Patent number: 7607344
    Abstract: A scanner which includes a gradient index lens for passing and focusing beams from a radiation emitter to a cantilevered member reflective surface of a probe and from the reflective surface to a radiation detector. The lens also serves as a mechanical support for attachment of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector and is also attached to a support for the cantilevered member. The resulting fixed positions of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector relative to the reflective cantilevered member surface allows the scanner to be compact and factory focally alignable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Frederick Sachs
  • Patent number: 7587968
    Abstract: A device for dicing a potato or other foodstuff. The foodstuff is pushed through a first assembly of cutters to form foodstuff segments having the shape of french fries. The segments are then pushed through a second assembly of cutters to form foodstuff portions in the shape of cubes. A lever or handle is operated to successively push the foodstuff through the first cutter assembly then push the foodstuff segments through the second cutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Charles J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7533561
    Abstract: A device such as a sensor for use in an atomic force microscope. The device comprises a first oscillator, a second oscillator, a pair of first co-axial members interconnecting the first and second oscillators for torsionally suspending the first oscillator, a support structure, and a pair of second co-axial members whose axis is orthogonal to an axis of the first co-axial members and which interconnect the second oscillator and the support structure for torsionally suspending the second oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventors: Arthur Beyder, Frederick Sachs
  • Patent number: 7487818
    Abstract: A plurality of holes or other fastener elements are equally spaced along all of the edge portions of a curtain panel to connect to similarly equally spaced protrusions or other mating fastener elements on a curtain rod sleeve or other structural member in order to provide curtains which can effectively and aesthetically, as well as easily and quickly, be arranged in a variety of alternative decorative patterns. In another aspect, the panel is connected along one edge to a curtain rod sleeve which has fastener elements, and mating fastener elements are spaced along the remainder of the perimeter of the panel. In order to hang a curtain in a desired one of alternative decorative patterns, fastener elements on each of adjoining perimetric edge portions of the curtain are connected to mating fastener elements on a curtain rod sleeve or other structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Robyn A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7487594
    Abstract: A sighting device (20) and method of sighting for a bow (22) or shooting instrument are disclosed. A photo optic cable (15) or other light transmitting flexible tubular member has a first end (19) which receives light from a light emitting diode (LED) (3) or other initiator of light and a second end (30) at which the light is emitted. The initiator is responsive to an indication of an electronic level (5) or other indicator of orientation that the bow (22) is within a predetermined angle (31), of side-wise tilt. The second end (30) of the tubular member is positioned to provide a sight point (30) for the bow (22). Alternatively, the LED is spaced from a fluorescent member (530) providing the sight point at one end thereof, and light from the LED is emitted onto the fluorescent member (530) to provide increased brightness to the sight point end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Howard R. Labowski
  • Patent number: 7387309
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a boot to a ski with the heel end of the boot being height adjustable. The toe end portion of the boot is pivotly attaching to the ski. A pair of members extend from the heel end portion and the ski respectively and have serrated surfaces which face each other with serrations in one surface engaging complementary serrations in the other surface at various heights of the heel end portion. The members are fastened together at various heights to which the heel end portion is adjusted. A track on the heel end portion is slidably engaged by the heel end portion member. Alternatively, a pair of members are pivotly attached to the ski along a common pivot axis and are drawn together and apart by a screw, and a track structure on the boot is slidably engaged by end portions of the members. A boot plate is pivotly laterally adjustable. An extension member is attachable to an end portion of the boot plate for increasing boot plate length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Michael M. Pupko