Patents Represented by Attorney Maier & Maier, PLLC
  • Patent number: 8132761
    Abstract: The invention refers to a docking device for the docking of a maintenance device to a nozzle of a satellite, including a distance sensor for determining the distance between the maintenance device and the nozzle of the satellite. Further, a locking device is provided for connecting the docking device with the nozzle of the satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt E.V.
    Inventors: Robin Gruber, Andreas Baumann
  • Patent number: 8128468
    Abstract: The icon 348 of a graphic user interface indicates the magnitude of an inputted impact by an impact pointer 348d which moves as the time elapses and receives input of the impact. Magnitude of the impact received by a GUI 34 is retained in the impact data as a product of the moving amount of the impact pointer 348d and a scale factor, of which the value can be switched together with the indication form of a gauge 348c depending on the movement of a slider 348a. Consequently, more realistic regulation of impact, e.g., half shot, can be attained when a ball is hit in a sport simulation game such as a golf game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Camelot Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Shugo Takahashi, Yusuke Sugimoto, Tetsuya Chiba
  • Patent number: 8128496
    Abstract: A game device includes: a plurality of displays for displaying an object of an operation target for each of operators; a GUI control unit arranged in any one of the screens of the displays for controlling a GUI for each target object correlated to each of the operators; an object control unit for changing the 3D space according to the operation of the GUI; and a marking process unit for displaying the coordinate position of a predetermined object other than the target object together the target object in the screen as markings to moving on a virtual plane in the 3D space according to control of the object control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Camelot Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Shugo Takahashi, Haruki Kodera, Yusuke Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8113466
    Abstract: A system and method for drag reduction allows thrust output, fuel efficiency or both to be maximized. Specifically, a rear portion of a body or motor vehicle may be modified to increase thrust output, fuel efficiency or both by creating a stagnation area, a suction inlet and a convex cusp area formed on the rear portion of the motor vehicle. Increasing the concavity or camber or sharpness of the radius of the stagnation area results in greater local pressure coefficient, which results in greater thrust output. The size and shape of the suction inlet and the convex cusp area will also have an effect on thrust output and fuel efficiency. A width and volume of an airplane fuselage may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: David T. Birkenstock
  • Patent number: 8108958
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products is disclosed. The apparatus may include a bed frame, a lower plate having a container coupled thereto, an upper plate having an aperture defined therein, a mattress having an aperture defined therein, a mattress cover having an aperture defined therein and an absorbent pad or drawsheet having a bag coupled thereto. The apparatus may further facilitate preventing human waste products from contacting the skin of the patient, thereby substantially reducing the occurrence of pressure ulcers. The apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products may also provide continuous zero pressure in the area of the buttock while maintaining the patient in a comfortable position. As a result, the apparatus can prevent and treat pressure ulcers that frequently occur in the area of the buttock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: George Gregory Stephens, Lynn Babb Stephens
  • Patent number: 8104634
    Abstract: A drain pan and drainage system is herein disclosed. The drain pan includes a basin with a wall mount connected to the basin. A drain hole is formed in a bottom surface of the basin. The drain pan also includes at least one side panel connecting the basin and the wall mount. The drainage system includes a wall, drain pan and water containing device. The water containing device is mounted to the drain pan and both are mounted to the wall. The water containing device and drain pan are mounted in such a way that the water containing device is at least partially enclosed by the drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Gregg, Franklin Shearwood Brizendine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8087672
    Abstract: A hand-held, portable apparatus for recording chess moves operable between a recording mode and at least one other mode is described. The apparatus is adapted to uniquely identifying a user and includes an interface for electronically entering into a memory a chess move made by the user. A mechanism is provided for the apparatus to switch between the at least one other mode and the recording mode upon a player making a first move in a new game. The recording mode further includes a security module so that only authorized features are accessible when the apparatus is in the recording mode. The apparatus includes a power module and a communication module for securely communicating chess moves to a central location. The moves are recorded in a universal language. The invention also concerns a chess game tournament management system, as well as a system for recording and publishing chess moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Brana Malobabic
  • Patent number: 8087981
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing ventilation in a lower level of a building and for preventing mold and mildew from building up in an interior portion of such building while also preventing entrance of small unwanted animals. The apparatus comprises a frame member having each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size and formed of a first predetermined material. A screen member is engageable with the frame member for attachment thereto, such screen member having each of a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size and being formed of a second predetermined material. The apparatus is secured to the structure by one of masonry screws or is secured in new construction with bricks and brick mortar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth Hoskins
  • Patent number: 8087056
    Abstract: A method of effectively operating a Content-On-Demand (COD) system is disclosed. Requests for content are received from COD clients. If the requested content exists in a COD server and the content is content for one-to-one transmission, a session is set up between the COD server and one of the COD clients by providing access information for one-to-one transmission. Thereafter, the requested content is transmitted to the corresponding COD client in a one-to-one transmission manner, and then the session is terminated when the transmission is completed. If the requested content is content for one-to-N transmission, sessions are set up between the COD server and the respective COD clients by providing access information for one-to-N transmission. Thereafter, the requested content is transmitted to the corresponding COD clients in a one-to-N transmission manner when a one-to-N transmission requirement is met, and then the sessions are terminated when the transmission is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Alticast Corporation
    Inventor: Joo Hyeon Ryu
  • Patent number: 8079441
    Abstract: A muffler is disclosed. In the muffler a throttling device that is controlled by the energy of the airflow to be muffled is provided in a pipeline of the airflow that needs to be muffled. The muffler is adjusted by itself according to random variety of the pulsing airflow, and can eliminate or reduce effectively the pulsation of the airflow and the related noise in the range of the low frequency and the middle frequency. The muffling effect of the muffler has no correlation with the volume of the muffler, and therefore the volume of the muffler can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8079500
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid from a container, includes an intake pipe to receive liquid from the container, an outlet to dispense liquid, a pressure supply mechanism to supply pressurized fluid to the container at a first pressure, and a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is operable to dispense liquid from the container by reducing the pressure in the container to a second pressure, connecting the intake pipe to the outlet to dispense fluid from the container, and subsequently increasing the pressure in the container to the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: John Merlin Copplestone-Bruce
  • Patent number: 8075326
    Abstract: A socket for a circuit board, comprising: a base having an opening area for introducing an electrical conductor of the circuit board, a contact element for electrically contacting a conductor of the circuit board, and an electrical output electrically connected to the contact element, wherein the contact element comprises a returning connecting contact spring disposed in an introduction area, wherein said spring can be actuated returnably by applying a force along a force direction, such that the electrical conductor can be disposed between a connecting contact area and the connecting contact spring, and wherein each contact element is configured such that the electrical conductor can be brought into contact with the contact element by any desired contact configurations or combinations of contact configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd., Yamaichi Electronics Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Quiter, Sven Braun
  • Patent number: 8069508
    Abstract: A rotatable shower rod system may be provided. The system may include a pair of mounting brackets coupled to a wall, the pair of mounting brackets includes a stationary portion; a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the stationary portion, the rotatable portion rotates to at least one of a first position and a second position about an axis of rotation; and a cover coupled to the stationary portion; and a curved rod extending between the pair of mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Colleen O'Connell
  • Patent number: D649735
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Geoff Sharp
  • Patent number: D651605
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick Bouaziz, Laurent Michel-Etienne
  • Patent number: D653745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Gregg, Franklin Shearwood Brizendine, Jr.
  • Patent number: D654322
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Leonard Duncan
  • Patent number: D655752
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nexfoto Limited
    Inventors: David King, David Harbinson
  • Patent number: D656278
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: John Saranga
  • Patent number: D656292
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Geoff Sharp