Patents Represented by Attorney Mark Levy & Associates, PLLC
  • Patent number: 7984848
    Abstract: A cash card system having a pair of financial instruments: a cash instrument and a security instrument, each encoded with a common PIN. The cash instrument, once preloaded with a cash balance, is used to purchase goods and services in cooperation with the pin. The security instrument, also in cooperation with the PIN, is used to recover a cash balance from the cash instrument in the event it is lost or stolen. The cash instrument and the security instrument are never used together to perform any transaction. One or both of the financial instruments may be a smart card having an embedded microchip. One or both of the financial instruments may be a card. The cash card may be a calculator-like structure having a display. In operation, the cash card system provides the anonymity of cash, the safety of traveler's checks and the convenience of a credit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventors: Lucas T. Browning, W. Clark Gaughan
  • Patent number: 7373940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward overcoming the disadvantages associated with previously known hairstyling devices, including but not limited to flexible snap clips. The apparatus incorporates a combination of a snap clip closure mechanism and a comb-like bottom with elongated teeth for gathering and holding hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventor: Lisa V. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 7350277
    Abstract: A buckle that is resistant to unintentional or accidental release for joining the distal ends of a web, having a first portion with a rigid, bifurcated tongue. A pair of outward-facing protrusions located on the edges of the tongue at its distal end are adapted for engagement with a locking mechanism disposed within a mating buckle component. The mating buckle component has a rigid block or key centrally located so that as the bifurcated tongue is inserted into the receiving buckle component, the central opening of the bifurcated tongue surrounds and fits snuggly against the rigid central block or key. Side-to-side movement of the tongue (i.e., cocking) is thereby prevented. This lack of side-to-side movement, in cooperation with the latching mechanism, helps prevent accidental unlocking of the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Buckingham Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: DeForest Canfield, Robert Whitehead, James Rullo
  • Patent number: 7350790
    Abstract: A snowmobile dolly usable with a wide variety of snowmobiles of different sizes and/or designs. The dolly approaches the snowmobile from the front and engages its front bumper. A downward force on the tongue of the dolly raises the snowmobile and positions the front wheels of the dolly under the front of the snowmobile. An auxiliary rear axle is then slid under a rear portion of the snowmobile. A swivel connection on the front bumper-engaging member allows the snowmobile supported by the dolly to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. An additional feature of the dolly is that it may also be reconfigured for use as a jack stand allowing service or repair work to be performed. The dolly is adapted to be towed behind a riding lawnmower, yard tractor, or the like, further enhancing the utility of the dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Jassen Wilson
  • Patent number: 7350554
    Abstract: A portable bead breaking apparatus useful for breaking the bead of an ATV-type, low-pressure, balloon tire away from a safety rim upon which the tire is mounted. The apparatus applies carefully directed downward and inward pressure at opposing sides of the tire bead. By applying pressure in this manner against the bead, the bead is broken without injury to the tire and the tire may then be removed from the rim. The apparatus is portable and collapsible into a convenient storage pouch so that an ATV operator may readily carry the device with him or herself when operating the vehicle in regions remote from a tire service facility. Using the apparatus, an operator may readily remove a tire and repair damage thereto. The tire may then be remounted and reinflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph Okrepkie, Francis Bastow
  • Patent number: 7350323
    Abstract: A license plate frame that provides great versatility in displaying a user-changeable message on a portion thereof. The design provides a channel adapted to receive individual, planar tiles, each typically bearing indicia. Blank spacer tiles may also be provided but, because of the novel locking mechanism, are unnecessary. Tiles may bear indicia consisting of letters, numerals, punctuation marks, symbols, phrases, or other graphics such as logotypes. Also because of the unique tile locking mechanism, tiles may have varying width and it is unnecessary to pad out an entire row of tiles. This allows, among other things, the use of proportional type fonts. Secure channel end locks keep tiles from being easily removed, thereby preventing theft or vandalism. The combination of tile locking and channel end locks provide a rugged system that may withstand automated car washes and other environmental onslaughts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: William Basos
  • Patent number: 7341526
    Abstract: A golf putter having an alignment aid for aligning the player's head relative to the ball and the putter head. In addition to providing alignment along the usual X and Y axes, the alignment aid of the invention allows precise and repeatable head positioning in the fourth and fifth axes as well. A pair of vertically-aligned pins protrude from a back surface of the putter head, substantially perpendicular to the putting face of the club. The diameter of the upper pin is less than the diameter of the lower pin. In addition, the length of the upper pin may be slightly shorter that the length of the lower pin. Typically, the pins are made in contrasting colors such as black and white. In operation, a golfer sights down at the pins and establishes a uniform border of the lower pin visible around the upper pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Robert McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7343051
    Abstract: A method of recognizing an object in an image using multi-sensor integration through conditionally optimal geoscene generation and registration is provided. At least two images, one of which is a conditionally optimum, ortho-rectified base image, are input and used to generate a geoscene using at least two ground control points in a latitude-longitude geospatial domain. Georegistration of the geoscene produces a registered geoimage which may be output. A virtual geospatial information system database may be compiled from the georegistered images. A virtual transverse Mercator (VTM) projection is defined which allows processing images falling on both sides of the equator or across traditional UTM boundaries. An Affine transform is used for coordinate transformation in generating geoscenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Shin-yi Hsu
  • Patent number: 7338602
    Abstract: A method to process grease trap waste or refuse and remove organic matter, and reclaim fats, oils, and grease (FOG) found in it. The process is initiated after dewatering the grease trap material to increase its concentration; the resulting sludge is then mixed with a solvent. The dissolved fractions of fats, oils, and grease are separated using mechanical methods. The solids are washed to further remove any traces of fats, oils, and grease. The solids, substantially free from organic content, are dried to remove any water and/or organic matter remaining, rendering inert solids that can be safely disposed of according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. All fats, oils, and, grease fractions are separated, containing no inert materials, and no water. The solvent is recuperated (recycled), allowing it to be used over again. The recuperated grease fractions, highly pure and homogeneous, constitute an excellent raw material for further oleo-chemical processes and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jose Alejandro Parjus, Rodolfo Larosa, Antonio Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7319378
    Abstract: A comprehensive vehicle anti-theft and alarm system that immediately notifies a vehicle owner when a vehicle is being tampered with. Notification is accomplished via wireless signal to the owners' cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop or desktop computer, or other electronic device, or to the police. The signal can be used to provide an audible, inaudible (e.g., vibratory), or visual alert, depending upon the mode the owner has chosen. In addition, the system transmits a photograph or image of the person tampering with the vehicle. The transmitted image(s) may be periodically refreshed. In alternate embodiments of the system, realtime streaming video may be transmitted. The anti-theft system typically includes a GPS receiver that tracks the movements of the vehicle in the event it is actually stolen. Finally, the system includes a communications link that allows the owner to speak directly to the unauthorized occupant of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventors: Bobbie Thompson, Markeith Boyd, Shirley Lorraine Boyd
  • Patent number: 7273839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to decrease the flammability of normally flammable alcohols and solvents. The additive is Alpha Terpineol, which will increase the flash point of flammable alcohols or solvents, by blending the Terpineol into the flammable solvent or alcohol. Solvents such as acetone, methanol, ethylacetate, ethanol and xylene, to name a few, increases flash points by 50° C. to 60° C., by addition of 12-14% terpineol. The said solvent can then be blended with other organic solvents to produce performance solvents, such as paint strippers with flash points greater than 140° F. and meet Federal and state Volatile Organic Compound regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tarksol International L.L.C.
    Inventor: A. Richard Koetzle
  • Patent number: 7264196
    Abstract: The present invention provides ease of installation of toilet paper rolls on a vertical spindle sitting on a plate that prevents the unrolling of the paper. The floor free standing unit has a provision to store spare rolls on the pole, the spindle supports a decorative plate for decoration. A second unit is a wall mounted unit with a flex arm that could move the plate and spindle from right to left. A third is a wall mounted fixed unit. All three units are built with the same basic elements, plate and spindle. Each units' spindle supports a decorative plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: Lambert Guay, Rena Guay
  • Patent number: 7237848
    Abstract: A back and internal organ supportive belt that can be installed in a chair or a seat, including the driver's seat of a vehicle or the operator's seat of a piece of equipment, to provide support to internal organs, and to the musculoskeletal system of the driver or operator. The back and internal organ supportive belt includes an inelastic support structure with upper and lower sections; belts and straps for fastening the belt to a seat, and for strapping the driver/operator into the supportive belt; vertically extendable foam lordotic support pads; an inflatable bladder for applying vertical extension and lumbar vertebrae distraction; and a pad for providing heat and/or vibration for the driver's or operator's further comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Douglas Story, Joseph J. McAulliffe
  • Patent number: 7237425
    Abstract: The present invention is a hinge repair tool constructed from two, spaced apart pairs of modified vise grip or wrench pliers. A single, elongated, upper bar is connected to the respective top jaws of each of the pairs of pliers. Two lower bars are also connected to respective lower jaws of the two pairs of pliers. Each of the pairs of pliers is operative independently of one another, so that each of the respective lower bars can be repositioned relative to the common upper bar. The lower bars are separated from one another and a gap is formed therebetween. A rigid bar is connected to the handles of the two pairs of pliers to provide additional stability. The vise grip pliers each include a mechanism for locking the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Richard D. Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 7232375
    Abstract: A laser-based measurement system for accurately quantifying a golfer's stance and club position. The measurement system provides accurate linear and angular measurements. From data gathered by the measurement system, a golf club optimized for the golfer's natural stance may be modeled and evaluated. An adjustable club having adjustability in the fourth and fifth axes provided by spherical joints is provided to model a presumed optimal club. The golfer's performance using the modeled, optimized club may be evaluated. Finally, a fixture is provided for accurately customizing a golf club along all of the six axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: McCarthy Robert, Michael McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7232056
    Abstract: There is provided a security mailbox for receiving mail and securely retaining the mail until removed by the mailbox owner. Outgoing mail may be placed in the mailbox and retained out of sight until accessed by the mail carrier. A visual indicator is provided to signal the presence of outgoing mail. Once mail has been deposited in the mailbox and secured within, additional mail may not be placed in the mailbox until the mailbox owner has unlocked and reset the mailbox. Another visual indicator signals the mailbox owner that mail has been deposited in the mailbox. The mailbox is sized to receive small packages such as boxes of checks from a check printer, packages of medications, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Lee E. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7228881
    Abstract: A wood processor including a motor vehicle having a bed structure, a clamping device on the bed structure for clamping a wood log and positioning it in a first processing position, a power saw for cutting predetermined length members from the wood log, and a splitting device for splitting the wood members into a specified number of pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Richard H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7223137
    Abstract: A floating, water current-driven electrical power generation system has a hull supporting one or more paddle wheels. The unit is tethered in a stream or river so that the moving water turns the paddle wheel coupled to an electrical generator. A transmission matches stream flow conditions to the electrical generator. Stabilizing fins on the hull bottom help keep the hull properly aligned in the stream's current. Built-in leg structures are sized to prevent bottoming of the paddle wheel during periods of low water in the stream or river. Mounts are provided for an outboard motor useful for propelling the unit to a desired location. Larger versions of the system may be equipped with a boat mooring facility allowing a boat to propel the unit to a desired position in a stream or river.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Michael J. Sosnowski
  • Patent number: D549093
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Weakland
  • Patent number: D558308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Francis Bastow