Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Joseph B. Taphorn
  • Patent number: 8007337
    Abstract: A multi-use recreational product fully assembled constitutes a toy that can be towed on water and on snow and in the air, and when airborne, the rider can detach the tow rope and use the product as a glider. The toy disassembled, separates a wing section from a fuselage or tail section. The wing section is independently usable as a wakeboard; longitudinally extending fins which provide stability in movement of the assembled product in water and air and easier lift-off into the latter, also aid in control of the wakeboard in water and on snow. The fuselage or tail section is independently usable as a surfboard or water ski, wakeboard, snowboard or kneeboard. As a surfboard, it would be inverted so that thin vertical fins on the wider tail end of its upper surface when used as the fuselage, would extend into the water. Control elements exist on the appropriate surfaces of the sections to enable rider steerage of the sections and/or assembled product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas D. DeMasi, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7686794
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene device offers full protection from heavy menstrual flow by securely covering the inner thigh, buttocks and pelvic area against menstrual leakage. The hygiene device is in the nature of a pair of shorts having vertical elastic seams on each side to hold the device snug on the wearer's pelvic region and legs. Elastic elements on the bottom of each leg of the short secure against downward leakage. The short is made of a liquid impervious cloth having an absorbent cotton blend layer and an outer plastic layer. Additional absorbent padding is incorporated in the short to provide normal coverage in the vaginal region. An elastic waist element aides in supporting the device on the wearer. The cloth may be vapor permeable and the side vertical seams air permeable for cooling effects. A diaper may be readily fashioned of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Diane M. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7668885
    Abstract: A multidimensional method and apparatus for adaptively characterizing and aggregating data through a secure automated means of database modification, a prioritization and weighting system, a third party enhanced metadata entry and classification mechanism, adaptive and time varying individual personality and preference characterization, and an aggregation and delivery capability which allows for multiple data formats and mediums. Individual characterization incorporates an inference engine which formulates client composite images which vary with time. Asynchronous data interchanges enabled through the use of XML allow for more efficient and effective resource utilization and time. The knowledge system of this invention A) effectively integrates information from diverse sources, B) verifies, adds to or enhances source metadata (product data sheet; article title), and C) searches, queries, retrieves, and aggregates information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: MindAgent, LLC
    Inventors: Edward R. Wittke, Mellissa A. Wittke, Connie S. Mazur, Kenneth A. Mazur
  • Patent number: 7293751
    Abstract: An adjustable support for a portable computer or the like having a main or center board, side boards, and cylindrical stackers interconnecting them. The device is designed to hold a portable computer on the main board and to dispose it weightlessly in the lap area of a seated user by means of the side boards resting on the arms of the easy chair, or couch or sofa on which the user is seated. The distance between the side boards and the main board of the device may be varied by changing the number of stackers each of which have mating male and female ends to enable interconnecting them. The main board and the sideboards may have through-holes of two different diameters each: a larger one for receiving and rendering flush the head of a nut or bolt cooperating with a respective stacker end to secure the stacker rigidly to the board; a smaller one for snugly receiving reduced portion of the nut or bolt. The larger diameter portions of the through-holes only penetrate halfway through the boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Bo Goran Eriksson
  • Patent number: 7142779
    Abstract: A portable compact sauna wherein a user's body is warmed to sweating primarily by direct absorption of infrared radiation. Broad infrared radiation emitters or sources are placed around the inside of a narrow cabinet so as to be in close proximity to various parts of a seated user. Fins spaced apart less than finger-width on the emitters protect the user from contact with elevated temperatures in the emitters. The emitters, which lend themselves to easy cleaning, are heated by electric infrared heaters having a unique design which eliminates extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) normally generated by AC energized electrical heater elements, to provide low extremely-low frequency EMF saunas able to utilize conventional-commercial electrical-energy sources. The emitters protect the heaters. Power wires for the heaters are arranged for low ELF EMF emission, too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Bernarr C. Schaeffer, James Schaeffer, Wayne Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 7120353
    Abstract: A portable compact sauna wherein a user's body is warmed to sweating primarily by direct absorption of infrared radiation. Broad infrared radiation emitters or sources are placed around the inside of a narrow cabinet so as to be in close proximity to various parts of a seated user. Fins spaced apart less than finger-width on the emitters protect the user from contact with elevated temperatures in the emitters. The emitters, which lend themselves to easy cleaning, are heated by electric infrared heaters having a unique design which eliminates extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (ELF) normally generated by AC energized electrical heater elements, to provide low extremely-low frequency EMF saunas able to utilize conventional-commercial electrical-energy sources. The emitters protect the heaters. Power wires for the heaters are arranged for low ELF EMF emission, too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: Bernarr C. Schaeffer, James Schaeffer, Wayne Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6952474
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a clear voice signal while effectuating speech privacy and unobtrusiveness through adaptive signal processing; includes a voice input microphone, an electrical line for transmitting representations of the received voice signal from the microphone and having a modulator in it, actuators or speakers spherically disposed about the microphone for creating sound canceling the ambient spatial transmission of the voice inputted into the microphone, an adaptive signal processor for receiving from the transmission line before the modulator the representations of the received voice signal from the microphone and for providing appropriate output to the actuators or speakers for them to create sound canceling the spatial transmission of the microphone inputted voice and to the modulator to remove from the transmission line downstream of the modulator the speaker sounds signals picked up by the voice input microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventors: Edward R. Wittke, Melissa A. Wittke
  • Patent number: 6704951
    Abstract: Drop side of a child-proof crib has a top portion which can be lowered with respect to its bottom portion. Its top railing is rendered vertically translatable by employing telescoping stiles between it and the bottom railing. Double-action latch mechanisms in the upper railing hold the drop-side upper portion up. The drop-side upper railing has an upper bar fixedly secured upon a lower bar: the lower surface of the upper bar opens to a longitudinally-extending groove slidably receiving rods of the two latches that are biased outwardly from central triggers to beyond the outer ends of the railing to where they each engage on their free ends a shoulder-bearing latch bracket mounted on the opposing face of the associated corner post. Crib mattress platform is adjustable vertically using plunger latch mechanisms whose plungers are withdrawable only by inserting a tool through a narrow slot in the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Community Products, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Hofer, Allister Marchant
  • Patent number: 6701767
    Abstract: A trailered brake workstation mounts on the horizontal frame of a two-wheeled trailer, a pair of longitudinally-spaced transverse horizontal guide bars at an elevated position above the frame. The guide bars mount slides which are secured to the bottom of a longitudinally-disposed brake. Thus the brake, via the slides, can be shifted laterally on the horizontal guide bars between an internal or centered position it which it may be locked for hauling and storing, and a side position in which it may be locked and available for operative use. A box and a cover protect the brake in the internal or centered position from the elements. A work table may also be transported, being stored in the throat of the brake during transportation, and disposed for use on the other side of the trailer when the brake is operative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Duane Hartwell, Jonathan Wright
  • Patent number: 6526000
    Abstract: A display arrangement for a digital wrist watch LED face or a computer cathode ray tube face provides for ornamental and coded displays. In the arrangement, the digital information is repeated in juxtaposed rows repeating the same digits in columnar fashion, the digits sharing above and below border elements to form continous vertical patterns in side by side spaced relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: James Charneski
  • Patent number: 6456206
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a inclement weather safety system where the purpose of the system is to allow other drivers in your vicinity to see your vehicle at a further distance away, when there is very severe weather conditions by strobing the head lights or fog lights or strobe lights at microsecond speed and/or increasing the illumination of various secondary lights of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Richard M. Rocca, Irving Jacobson
  • Patent number: 6431415
    Abstract: A popped-popcorn package consists of a beaded container for holding popped-popcorn and a funnel having a closable opening in the reduced end for dispensing several kernals of normal-sized popped popcorn at a shake of the package and an enlarged end for seating non-removably over the beaded open mouth of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen B. Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6206941
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting carbonaceous raw materials into a carbonized product and activating the product, includes a device for heating the carbonaceous raw materials to form a carbonized product, and equipment for activating the carbonized product and supplying by-product of the activation to the device to help in the heating. The device heats a column of carbonaceous raw materials to pyrolize it and form a carbonized product and vapors and gases. Upward flow of the gases and vapors is restrained so that they flow, with the carbonized product, out of the bottom of the column where they are burned in a combustion box and the resultant hot gases used to heat the column through a tube defining the column. Descending carbonized materials pass rapidly through the combustion box into the equipment which through electical resistance heating and steam, activates the carbonized materials and passes gas and vapor by-products thereby created up into the combustion box to help fuel the heating of the raw materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Cornelius J. Du Plessis
  • Patent number: 6109194
    Abstract: An embroidery machine is provided with an attachment for fitting on the bottom of its movable hoop to provide a secure mounting surface for a sheet of "stickum" paper extending across the hoop and providing on its upper "stickum" surface a mounting and securing place for a fabric placed across the top of the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Deborah G. Farb
  • Patent number: 6033676
    Abstract: A process and product restoring hair to bald-headed men involves massaging the scalp with a commercially available ointmenmt known as BAG BALM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Joseph B. Taphorn
    Inventor: Joyce A. Cortright
  • Patent number: 6032288
    Abstract: A garment combines a hospital gown with a robe. The gown extends across the front of and around and partially behind a patient. It is attached on one side end to the inside of a side of the robe and on that side's top to the shoulder of the robe. The other or free side end of the gown is folded on itself so that the tops of its behind and corresponding front portions may be sewn together to form a shoulder support. The top of the gown around portion is cut away to form an arm hole. The robe is made of three panel pieces: a back panel with lateral extensions and central collar part at its top; and right and left side panels each formed at the top with a lateral extension and a collar part. The top and bottom edges of corresponding lateral extensions are sewn together; likewise the adjacent edges of the side panels and the back panel above the sleeves, to the gown and robe collars, and the adjacent edges below the sleeves, to the bottom of the gown and robe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Jennifer Simone
  • Patent number: 6010467
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling the patient himself or herself to engage the skin on his or her back to locate and treat trigger points thereunder, using a source of pulsed voltage. The apparatus includes a wand having a generally rigid and electrically-conductive arcuate handle of about an arm's length or less in length, a spade-shaped electrically-conductive extension with a free end formed with tapering straight edges merging in a rounded point and welded on its other end to the handle, and a cable secured on the other end of the handle to connect to connect the extension electrically to the source of pulsed voltage. A somewhat comparably-shaped sponge is fixed to the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: William Arthur Smith
    Inventor: William A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5921834
    Abstract: A water toy includes a bumper ball having open ends and inner and outer walls separatable by an air space. Users enter and exit the ball through either or both of the open ends. The ball can be rotated by the occupant moving in one direction in it, as by walking. An open-ended cover, into which the ball is inserted deflated, contains fins on its exterior for interacting with water as the cover rotates when the ball is rotated. The cover also mounts a tow harness for connection to a boat tow rope, and the fins act to restrain spinning as the toy is towed through water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Douglas Builders, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. DeMasi
  • Patent number: D448159
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph R. Marshall
  • Patent number: D592408
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Gary Kuchinsky