Patents Represented by Attorney Kelly Merkel
  • Patent number: 8302970
    Abstract: An interactive gaming apparatus for participation in a card-style game includes a stationary gaming surface having a channel defined therethrough. The channel establishes a travel path for a roller chain driven by rotatable drive shafts and thereby translating movement to a bandolier. The bandolier includes a plurality of card inserts with slots that accommodate insertion of a card tile therein such that any card tile is interchangeable in any card inert slot. Movement of the bandolier thereby conveys likewise movement to card tiles retained by the card insert slots relative to the gaming surface. The gaming surface further includes a continuous groove and one or more linear grooves defined therein. One or more chip members are slidable along the continuous and linear grooves to provide players with player and dealer designation or to designate various betting amounts available to each player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Montano
  • Patent number: 7985301
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrasonic cleaner in which an automated ultrasonic cleaning operation is executed using an aqueous solution. The cleaner includes a tank having a valve means in fluid communication therewith, a bottom tank portion with at least one drainage aperture therethrough and at least one tank wall depending therefrom to provide a solution retention region. At least one ultrasonic transducer is removably secured to one of the tank bottom and tank wall. A partition in the solution retention region has at least one aperture defined therethrough and defines a service section and a support section thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Aleksandr Prokopenko
  • Patent number: 7353577
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for casting toilets. In the disclosed method, at least one of a shell, engine and rim configuration for a toilet is provided, wherein the configuration is selected from a plurality of shell, engine and rim configurations defined by a corresponding plurality of shell, engine and rim molds. Each mold defines a casting space therewithin for casting the selected configuration therefrom. Each shell configuration includes a hollow housing space for disposition of a unique sanitaryware performance engine configuration therewithin. While still greenware, the cast engine is disposed in the shell housing space to form at least one shell and engine assembly thereby. Subsequently, and while also in a green state, the cast rim is assembled with the shell and engine assembly and the entire shell, engine and rim assembly is fired to form a single integral piece of sanitaryware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: Graham Davies, Benjamin M. Ferrer
  • Patent number: 7263758
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for casting toilets. In the disclosed method, at least one of a shell, engine and rim configuration for a toilet is provided, wherein the configuration is selected from a plurality of shell, engine and rim configurations defined by a corresponding plurality of shell, engine and rim molds. Each mold defines a casting space therewithin for casting the selected configuration therefrom. Each shell configuration includes a hollow housing space for disposition of a unique sanitaryware performance engine configuration therewithin. While still greenware, the cast engine is disposed in the shell housing space to form at least one shell and engine assembly thereby. Subsequently, and while also in a green state, the cast rim is assembled with the shell and engine assembly and the entire shell, engine and rim assembly is fired to form a single integral piece of sanitaryware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: American Standard Intl. Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Davies, Benjamin M. Ferrer
  • Patent number: D517649
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Egee
  • Patent number: D546923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: American Standard Europe
    Inventor: Carlos Castellanos
  • Patent number: D559357
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Li-Tian Wang
  • Patent number: D562438
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: Sherry Lynn Jones, Christopher P. Marks
  • Patent number: D562948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Sherry Lynn Jones, Christopher P. Marks