Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kenneth A. Roddy
  • Patent number: 8325009
    Abstract: An unlocking device for automobiles that is able to be mounted on the interior of an automobile's rear window to facilitate reentry inside the automobile once a driver is locked out. The unlocking device is rectangular in shape and is mounted on the glass with suction cups. It is a stand alone module that is non evasive of the oem electronics of the automobile. The device is designed to receive dtmf tones from a cellphone operating in bluetooth mode. The device is universal in nature in that it is designed to enable unlocking for any automobile manufacturer's vehicle that uses an oem keyfob transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Albert Virgil Anderson
  • Patent number: 8316690
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting hypervelocity impacts on a detection surface utilizes multiple sensors that directly measure electrical pulse radio frequency (RF) emissions generated by hypervelocity impacts on a detection surface and time of arrival (TOA) position measurements for determining the precise impact location on the detection surface. The detection surface material is compressed differentially in such a way that the inherent equalization of the compressed electron density in one area of the impact is directed to the uncompressed area of the material causing an electrical current that flows until the redistribution of the electrical charge has been completed and the rapid redistribution of charge and inherent current that results emits the radio frequency pulse that is induced into the detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Invocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl F. Kiefer, Doug Heerman, Brian Philpot, Christopher DePalm, Gulnara Roberson, Eric Krug
  • Patent number: 8307694
    Abstract: A hypervelocity impact detection method and system for determining the precise impact location in a detection surface, of impacts such as ballistic missile intercepts, micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) or other shock events, utilizes a gridless detection surface capable of propagating radio frequency (RF) impact detection signals responsive to receiving hypervelocity impacts from objects, and multiple sensors on the detection surface that directly measure radio frequency RF emissions generated by the hypervelocity impacts on the surface, and a time of arrival (TOA) position measurement technique for determining the precise impact location in the detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Invocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl F. Kiefer, Doug Heermann, Eric Krug, Guinara Ajupova
  • Patent number: 8279425
    Abstract: A system and method for performing lethality assessment utilizes frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) to determine impact point and damage propagation faults in a detection surface. The detection surface has a conductive layer capable of propagating radio frequency (RF) signals. At least one signal transmit/receive port on the detection surface injects a radio frequency (RF) interrogation signal into the detection surface and at least two signal receive-only ports on the detection surface spaced a distance apart from each other and from the signal transmit/receive port receive reflected radio frequency (RF) signals of the interrogation signal. A frequency domain reflectometry measurement system coupled with the transmit/receive port and signal receive-only ports measures frequency responses of the ports compared to predetermined baseline measurements and determines the precise location of an impact point and damage propagation fault in the detection surface by triangulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Invocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Heermann, Karl F. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 8266763
    Abstract: A leaf and lawn vacuum bagger has a housing that is attached to the exhaust outlet of a conventional leaf and lawn blower/vacuum or mulching device, and an air permeable bag releasably connected to the exhaust outlet has a fastener closure at a bottom end. A flexible sleeve is secured at one end to the housing and the air permeable bag is releasably connected at the opposed end for capturing the vacuumed yard debris. A closure member attached to the housing is selectively closed to allow exhaust gases from the lawn blower/vacuum or mulcher device to exit through the pores of the air permeable bag to the atmosphere, and leaves and yard debris exhausted through the blower/vacuum or mulcher falls down through the interior of said air permeable bag, through said sleeve, and are collected in the housing interior, and when opened, the collected leaves and yard debris falls through the housing and into the attached disposable bag, and the attached bag is then removed and replaced as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: John N. Hays
  • Patent number: 8170836
    Abstract: A low-power triggered data acquisition system and method utilizes low-powered circuitry, comparators, and digital logic incorporated into a miniaturized device interfaced with self-generating transducer sensor inputs to detect, identify and assess impact and damage to surfaces and structures wherein, upon the occurrence of a triggering event that produces a signal greater than a set threshold changes the comparator output and causes the system to acquire and store digital data representative of the incoming waveform on at least one triggered channel. The sensors may be disposed in an array to provide triangulation and location of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Invocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Champaigne, Jonathan Sumners
  • Patent number: 8146535
    Abstract: A thermally controlled drinking water system for animals having a thermally insulated cabinet containing a water reservoir, a water bowl, a vapor-compression refrigeration water-cooling system, and an electric water heating system, maintains the drinking water at an optimal temperature in both hot weather and freezing weather conditions. The reservoir stores at least five days of water and automatically maintains the water bowl in a constantly filled condition through a water supply conduit and visual indicator indicates when the reservoir water level is getting low. The evaporator coil of the cooling system is engaged with the water bowl in heat exchange relation and electrical heating elements are engaged in heat exchange relation with the water bowl and reservoir. Cooling and heating operations are controlled by an ambient air temperature sensor on the cabinet exterior and a water temperature sensor on the side wall of the water bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Edward C. Neumann
  • Patent number: 8109344
    Abstract: An auxiliary rotary tool drive apparatus mounted on, or an integral component of, hand-held rotary power tool has an extendable and retractable auxiliary drive shaft and a gear assembly that is selectively operatively engaged with the power transmitting shaft and gear assembly of the power tool and driven thereby using only the hand grasping the power tool for driving screws, fasteners, bits or other work performing members attached to the auxiliary drive shaft without having to move or remove the existing work performing member from the holding member of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: John N. Hays
  • Patent number: 8091378
    Abstract: A hitch mounted self-contained keg beverage dispenser removably mounts on a conventional receiver hitch of a vehicle for transporting a beverage keg over long distances to a site of use while maintaining the contents in a cooled condition and dispensing the contents at the site while supported on the transporting vehicle. The dispenser has an insulated container that receives the keg and is mounted on a platform received in the hitch and supported vertically proximate the vehicle rear bumper. The container may be secured to the platform in the vertically supported position and pivoted to an angular position to allow access to the vehicle cargo area. A compressed gas cylinder, a dispensing spigot and a drip tray are mounted on the container. The keg inside the container is surrounded by ice and connected with the gas cylinder and spigot by hoses extending through the container side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ovidio Farias, III, Jim Lee McNeil, Theresa Eilers
  • Patent number: 8061670
    Abstract: A cup holder adapter for mounting portable electronic devices supported by a mounting member having a windshield or dashboard mounting base in a conventional cup holder in a vehicle. The cup holder adapter apparatus includes a generally cup-shaped cup holder adapter receptacle that fits into an existing cup holder in the vehicle, and either or both of a flat disk or generally cylindrical height adapter support member removably supported in the adapter receptacle having a flat mounting surface facing the open top end of the adapter receptacle for mounting thereon the base of the mounting member supporting the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: James E. White
  • Patent number: 8053919
    Abstract: A wind turbine having a large circular rotor wheel formed of concentric inner and outer rings with adjustable elliptical blades extending therebetween. The inner and outer rings are rotatably supported in a vertical plane to rotate about a horizontal axis by circumferential arcuate bearing supports connected by support arms to yaw mechanisms on a support tower which pivot about a vertical axis, and the outer ring is partially supported on the top of a horizontal rotatable revolving track which revolves around the tower and drives power wheels that operate water pumps, air pumps, and/or or electrical generators. A load shedding mechanism allows the power wheels to be selectively engaged or disengaged from the pump or generator load depending upon the available wind power to maintain rotation of the circular rotor wheel and horizontal rotatable revolving track without the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventors: Himanshu Sheth, Prayank Sheth, Janak Sheth
  • Patent number: 8028641
    Abstract: A convertible bench seat/platform that is pivotally connected to the deck of a pontoon boat and is movable between an inboard position adjacent to the boat side rail for use as a bench seat and an outboard position for use as a platform for fishing, sitting, diving and swimming or for search and rescue operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Sly
  • Patent number: 8021156
    Abstract: A method and system for arranging, displaying, conveying, learning, and communicating project management intelligence utilizes a device formed of a plurality of 3-dimensional geometric polytopes movably connected together and movable relative to one another. The polytopes represent the domain of project knowledge, the domain of project process groups, and the domain of project management competency, respectively and each polytope has surfaces or sections bearing indicia representing clusters of functional information and aspects of project management relative to the respective project management intelligence domain. The polytopes are manipulated individually to align selected surfaces or sections of each polytope relative to one another so as to collectively visually display selected combinations of interrelated and conjoined functional information and aspects of project management intelligence within the domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8016316
    Abstract: A pneumatic drop frame trailer has lateral wheels connected to the frame by pivotal wheel support arms with airbags between the support arms and frame, a pivotal tongue member with an airbag between the tongue and the frame, a deck having an inclined ramp portion at the rear end, and a control box on the deck containing an air compressor, air storage tank, and associated valves and controls. The wheel airbags and tongue airbag can be inflated or deflated while hitched to a vehicle to raise or lower the frame evenly and horizontally relative to the ground and may also be inflated to provide stiffness or shock absorbing characteristics. When the wheel airbags are deflated, the bottom of the frame is disposed substantially horizontally and very close to the ground surface with the ramp portion substantially flush with the ground surface in a loading and unloading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: William Carlton
  • Patent number: 8003001
    Abstract: An easily breakable variable viscosity gel composition comprising a mixture of water, pH adjusting agents, gelling agents, and property enhancing additives evenly dispersed into the mixture, and an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent that raises the pH of the mixture to instantaneously trigger formation of a smooth homogeneous stable gel of desired viscosity for firefighting and fire suppression, explosion suppression and other uses. The gel also has the capacity to cling to, and build upon, vertical and horizontal surfaces which deprives fires of air while simultaneously profoundly and almost instantly lowering the temperature of the burning fuel, yet when effortlessly broken to a liquid by the simple addition of calcium or similar compositions, is easily rinsed away as a non-hazardous environmentally safe liquid. Additionally, when used to surround explosives, the gel grants exceptional explosion suppression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventors: Conard E. Kaiser, Jock R. Collins, James R. Collins
  • Patent number: 7987548
    Abstract: A leaf and lawn vacuum bagger has a housing that is attached to the exhaust outlet of a conventional leaf and lawn blower/vacuum or mulching device, and a conventional disposable trash bag is releasably attached to the housing for capturing the vacuumed yard debris. When the disposable bag is full or otherwise, it may be easily detached and another disposable bag easily affixed to collect more vacuumed leaf and yard debris. Alternatively, the vacuumed leaf and lawn debris can be collected and retained in the housing for later removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: John N. Hays
  • Patent number: D647138
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Jerry L. Ray
  • Patent number: D669997
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Renee L. Crockford
  • Patent number: D670579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald A. Cooney
  • Patent number: D673468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald A. Cooney