Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm James E. Larson
  • Patent number: 8262474
    Abstract: In a computing machine having a processing unit, memory and a display device for playing a video game, the video game comprising at least one or more game characters, the at least one or more game character being controlled by a special purpose computing input device connected to said computer and operable by a game player, the video game further comprising character dialog between or among the at least one or more game characters, the character dialog comprising vignettes of dialog wherein movement from one vignette to another is determined by the game player introducing emotion into the dialog by means of the special purpose computing input device. The special purpose computing input device introduces emotion into the video game during a character dialog or character encounter along an axis of a joystick or other game controller element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Parker McMain
  • Patent number: 8107207
    Abstract: A potted electrical circuit is enclosed within a housing and has a first and second fiberglass layer that is laid upon a top surface of the potted electrical circuit. A lid of the housing seals the electrical circuit there within and an opening formed in a side wall allows circuitry wiring to extend there from out. The first fiberglass layer is a woven layer while the second fiberglass layer is a padding-like layer. Circuitry wiring pushes through the woven first fiberglass layer before extending out through the opening in the housing. The first fiberglass layer is tucked in and around the electrical circuit and adheres to the inside of the housing by attaching to the potting material while it hardens. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical circuit in combination with the insulation material is used within a transient voltage surge suppression device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Surge Suppression Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Hotchkiss, Richard Hotchkiss, Jr., Ricky Fussell, Andrea Haa
  • Patent number: 8057414
    Abstract: A polycentric hinge is positioned on one side of the patient's knee and a unicentric hinge is positioned on a second side of the knee. A lower portion of the polycentric and unicentric hinge is attached to a knee cuff about a lower leg of the patient. An upper arm of the polycentric and unicentric hinge is attached to a thigh cuff, the upper arm of the unicentric hinge being longer than the upper arm of the polycentric hinge. The upper arm of the unicentric hinge has a 15° to 20° set back angle when the patient's leg is straight. The polycentric hinge has a slotted central plate with star gears engaging a back portion and multiple movable blocks mounted in screw holes on a front edge of the slotted plate supporting an elastic band having a fulcrum point on the polycentric hinge at a lower and upper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Richard A. Nace
  • Patent number: 7963933
    Abstract: An osteoarthritis knee brace includes at least one vertical strut with upper and lower portions, at least one pivoting hinge intermediately disposed there between, a shin cuff attached to the vertical strut lower portion and positioned below the hinge and a thigh cuff attached to the vertical strut upper portion and positioned above the hinge. The brace further includes at least one inflatable bladder system for applying a corrective and therapeutic force to the osteoarthritis damaged knee joint and the surrounding areas thereof, and which is removeably positionable thereabout. Still further, the brace includes at least one insert enclosed within the inflatable bladder system for equally distributing the corrective and therapeutic force at each point at which the inflatable bladder system applies a corrective and therapeutic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Richard A. Nace
  • Patent number: 7681766
    Abstract: An article carrying device is provided for balancing upon a single shoulder of a person. The device includes front and back extended end members having a plurality of clips provided along middle and distal portions of the ends members. The clips secure packages to the article carrying device such that when packages of equal weights are attached to both ends of the carrying device, the device balances upon the shoulder of the person and does not require human hand intervention to maintain its position. The article carrying device is interchangeable and can be employed on either shoulder of the person. A hinge mechanism can be provided at an apex of the device for permitting the collapse of said device for transport or storage when not is use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Howard W. Harrison, III, Donald S. Urash
  • Patent number: 7608051
    Abstract: A polycentric hinge is positioned on one side of the patient's knee and a unicentric hinge is positioned on a second side of the knee. A lower portion of the polycentric and unicentric hinge is attached to a knee cuff about a lower leg of the patient. An upper arm of the polycentric and unicentric hinge is attached to a thigh cuff, the upper arm of the unicentric hinge being longer than the upper arm of the polycentric hinge. The upper arm of the unicentric hinge has a 15° to 20° set back angle when the patient's leg is straight. The polycentric hinge has a slotted central plate with star gears engaging a back portion and multiple movable blocks mounted in screw holes on a front edge of the slotted plate supporting an elastic band having a fulcrum point on the polycentric hinge at a lower and upper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Richard A. Nace
  • Patent number: 7495576
    Abstract: A plurality of common, modular panels attach to a support frame carrying power and data connections for an electronic display sign. LEDs are used as the light mechanisms for illumination of said sign. Each modular panel is under separate microcontroller control and includes its own on-board memory. The electronic display sign includes a master control element that connects to a PC or laptop computer for loading data or programs into the memory of each modular board. The master control sends out commands or data that is interrogated by every microcontroller on each modular panel of the entire sign such that only the panel with a unique identification number will process data intended therefore. The on-board memory allows for the creation of a virtual screen such that each modular panel of the entire sign is rendering the entire message being displayed on said sign even though each modular panel may only be actually illuminating a portion of said message on the LEDs of each panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: Donald D Maskeny, Jeffery L West
  • Patent number: 6808112
    Abstract: A guest operated front desk processing station is all contained in an upright stand alone housing. The housing contains a touch screen and keyboard for guest inputting information, and a signature pad in an upper portion. The housing front face contains a credit card swipe device for scanning a credit, debit or brand card, a slot for dispensing a receipt from a printer inside the housing and a key slot for dispensing a key card generated by a key making device within the housing. The housing front face also contains a slot for accepting various currency denominations and a slot for dispensing currency change. The processing station is connected by a network data cable to a Property Management System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Robert L. Jacobi, Randy S. Goodell
  • Patent number: 6792946
    Abstract: A first and second housing joined together and rotatable with respect to each other, each housing having a conduit integral with an exterior wall, the conduits each having passageways leading to an internal portion of the respective housings. An internal edge of each housing mounts a heat-moisture exchange material having a transverse opening axially aligned with the passageway of the closest conduit. The passageway in the respective conduits are offset permitting passage of air to and from the patient through the heat-moisture material. The housings are rotated with respect to each other to axially align the passageways in the two conduits to permit passage of aerosol medicine through the exchanger without passing through the heat-moisture material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: James V. Waldo, Jr., Christopher D. Warner
  • Patent number: 6793897
    Abstract: A biological and chemical defense apparatus utilizing cold plasma, generated, pressurized, activated oxygen including a front and rear housing, each housing having its own internal cavity. The rear housing encloses a generator plate bed coupling to a cold plasma generator plate having an anode and cathode. The rear housing having a pair of ports, one for drawing air in and one for expelling pressurized, activated oxygen out. The front housing encloses a transformer and a pressure control switch connected to a power source. The rear housing inserts within an air duct on the supply side of an HVAC air handler with the front housing extending outwardly from an outer wall surface of the air duct, wherein pressurized air from the fan mixes with the activated oxygen created by the generator plates, therefore dispersing it through the duct system and treating the air to constant purification from contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: John O. Shannon
  • Patent number: 6793586
    Abstract: Multiple molded polymeric panels of various configurations are mechanically fastened together along a side surface having alternating upright and downward facing steps containing fastening elements to provide putting greens of different dimensions and shape. Each panel has a planar top surface and a bottom integral grid supporting structure. A simulated grass overlies the joined panels. Raised pads are optionally placed between the top surface of the panels and the simulated grass to provide a contoured green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: David R. Barlow, John Hutzenlaub
  • Patent number: 6774799
    Abstract: A docking station is located in an offender's home. It is connected to a transformer, and a telephone line. The docking station includes a processor board containing a microprocessor which receives the offender's home schedule from a central monitoring station via the telephone line and communicates with a miniature tracking device positioned in the docking station when the offender is at home and on the belt of an offender when he is away from home. The miniature tracking device receives a signal to notify the offender of violations or messages. A tamper resistant bracelet transmitter permanently positioned on the offender's ankle communicates by wireless transmission to the tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Defant, Robert P. Posavec, David S. Segal
  • Patent number: 6769204
    Abstract: A sandal system comprises a sole. The sole has top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface has a periphery and a heel portion. A foot retaining strap is provided. The strap has ends coupled to the sole. A central extent is provided between the ends. Top and bottom faces are provided. A first hook and loop fastener is provided. The hook and loop fastener has an upper side and a lower side coupled with the top face of the strap. Finally, a decorative ribbon is provided. The ribbon has an upper plane adapted to have decorations and a lower plane having a second hook and loop fastener being adapted to releasably couple with the upper side of the first hook and loop fastener. The first and second hook and loop fasteners are essentially coextensive in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Lindsay M. Phillips
  • Patent number: D493044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Carol S. Sciandra
  • Patent number: D493448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: XLINK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Lincoln H. Charlot, Jr.
  • Patent number: D496200
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Mary E. Jackson, Edward N. Provost
  • Patent number: D496384
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Brian Hoffman
  • Patent number: D600242
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Viable Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Yeh, Larwan Berke
  • Patent number: D627073
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Richard A. Nace
  • Patent number: D657064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Richard A. Nace, Alexander Nace