Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Neal, Gerber and Eisenberg LLP
  • Patent number: 8277307
    Abstract: The gaming device and method disclosed herein have a plurality of reels and at least one expanding and roaming wild symbol. The wild symbol moves relative to the reels to provide additional award opportunities. When both the wild symbol and a designated trigger symbol appear on one of the reels, the wild symbol expands to form an expanded wild symbol set that includes a plurality of individual wild symbols. The designated trigger symbol determines the number of moves. For each move, the expanded wild symbol set moves to one of the reels. That is, the expanded wild symbol set enables a plurality of individual wild symbols to randomly move from reel to reel for a number of moves, wherein the number is determined based on the designated trigger symbol. After each move, the gaming device performs an award evaluation to determine whether a winning combination is displayed on the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Janna B. Jensen, Kurt Larsen, Ryan William Cuddy
  • Patent number: 8277305
    Abstract: A gaming device provides a free spins game wherein a plurality of modifiers are each associated with one of a plurality of paylines. During the free spins game, each modifier modifies awards won on the particular payline with which it is associated. In one embodiment, the payline multipliers increase in each of the free spins depending on whether a given payline scores a win or not in the free spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Mark C. Nicely, Ryan M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8277302
    Abstract: A method, system, device and computer readable medium are described, in which a wagering game and a secondary game may be provided at a gaming device, wherein the secondary game comprises detecting an occurrence of a trigger; determining, responsive to the trigger, a player number based on a first criterion; determining, responsive to the trigger, a match number based on a second criterion; and determining if the match number meets a third criterion with respect to the player number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, James A. Jorasch, Scott T. Friesen
  • Patent number: 8277308
    Abstract: A gaming device having unisymbol display reels, wherein each symbol on a display of the gaming device represents or is included on a different reel. The structure of the paylines of the gaming device is such that the gaming device can include different reel strips having different winning symbols or different proportions of winning symbols, while still maintaining payout symbols and payout combinations that have uniform odds and uniform payouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 8277740
    Abstract: An ozone generator includes a housing with a plurality of openings and containing an ultraviolet lamp and a blower. A control is remotely connected to the housing for turning the generator on and off. The ultraviolet lamp emits ultraviolet radiation. The blower moves air into contact with radiation from the ultraviolet lamp. A modular arrangement of the invention includes components for assembling an ozone generator. The arrangement includes a first generator component and a second generator component connected by a hose. Another embodiment of a modular arrangement includes a generator and a blower connected by a hose. A method for operating an ozone generator includes placing an ozone generator in an unoccupied, enclosed space; placing a controller that is connected to the generator outside of the enclosed space; and turning on the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Harley J. Pattee
  • Patent number: 8272822
    Abstract: A packing for wind power turbine blades having at least one inflatable annular structure, which in turn has a flat outer supporting wall, and inner clamping walls for clamping a blade in a designated position with respect to the outer supporting wall. A method of packing wind power turbine blades which includes applying at least one inflatable annular structure about a blade, and causing the at least one inflatable annular structure to inflate to distend at least one outer supporting wall and at least one inner clamping wall to clamp the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Wilic S.AR.L.
    Inventor: Matteo Casazza
  • Patent number: 8272946
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a free spins game including a plurality of reels, an outcome and a plurality of sections associated with the outcome. The gaming device or player activates the reels to indicate a designated symbol combination including at least two section indicator symbols. When a designated symbol combination including the section indicator symbols is indicated on the reels, the gaming device obtains the corresponding section. The gaming device or player continues to activate the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the game or until all of the sections are obtained. The gaming device then provides the outcome to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anothony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8272818
    Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle. The improved vehicle wheel chock includes an improved face-plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Standard Car Truck Company
    Inventors: John D. Anderson, Walter J. Peach
  • Patent number: 8274170
    Abstract: A wind power turbine for producing electric energy has a pylon extending from a bottom end to a top end; a nacelle fitted to the top end of the pylon to rotate about a first axis; an electric generator fitted to the nacelle to produce electric energy; a blade assembly, which rotates with respect to the nacelle about a second axis; an electric cable bundle extending from the electric generator to a point inside the pylon, such as at the bottom end of the pylon; and a guide device for guiding the cable bundle, and configured to divert the cable bundle radially from a point close to the first axis, to a point substantially away from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Willic S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Thomas Kassner
  • Patent number: 8272937
    Abstract: A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Richard E. Michaelson, Bryan D. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8272940
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which includes a predicted number of matches, and an actual number of matches. An award is provided to the player that is based on the absolute value of the difference between the predicted number of matches and the actual number of matches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8272315
    Abstract: A dual pump apparatus having two pumps mounted in a housing, where the housing comprises two elements mounted on opposite sides of a hydraulic mounting member or center section. The pumps are mounted on one side of the hydraulic mounting member in a pump cavity, and the hydraulic mounting member and second housing element form a drive cavity in which gears or an endless coupling member such as a chain or belt to connect the two pump input shafts are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder
  • Patent number: 8267765
    Abstract: A gaming device including a first player interactive game requiring one or more player inputs which result in an outcome. The outcome does not result in an award provided to the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device determines a paytable employed in the wagering game based on an outcome of the interactive game. In another embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of different wagering games. The gaming device determines which wagering game to provide to the player based, at least in part, on the outcome of the interactive game. Other suitable functions can be employed in the wagering game based on the outcome of the interactive game in accordance with the present invention. In any embodiment, the gaming device provides an outcome to the player for the wagering game which can result in an award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 8262109
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a zero-turn radius vehicle using a steering mechanism coupled to a first set of wheel assemblies by a plurality of cables. User input to the steering mechanism causes the cables to turn the first set of wheel assemblies about a vertical axis. Specifically, the cables link the steering mechanism to cam mechanisms that are attached to each wheel assembly. The design of the cam mechanism, which preferably includes two cams of varying radii, enables the two wheel assemblies to rotate about their vertical axes at varied degrees of rotation and greater than ninety degrees from the forward facing position, thereby resulting in zero-turn radius capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Douglas W. Bell, Bryce E. Steenburg
  • Patent number: 8262328
    Abstract: A collapsible intermodal transport platform and methods for its operation are disclosed. The invention comprises structural ribbings that rotate about an axle disposed beneath the loading surface of the platform. The ribbings are positioned along the platform so as to provide lifting and stacking fitments at the standard overhead crane lifting points when in a lift configuration. The ribbings may be rotated inboard down to the loading surface, thereby presenting stacking blocks at the crane lifting points for stacking several platforms together. Alternatively, the ribbings may be rotated outboard to accommodate full size loading of cargo. The ribbings are rotated under electric or hydraulic power, according to the various embodiments disclosed. Other features and aspects disclosed lend to the invention's low weight and high carrying capacity, as well as its unique load securing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Raildecks (2009), Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Crane, Simon Hann, Ben Van Liere
  • Patent number: 8262448
    Abstract: A modified version of a Blackjack game includes a plurality of Blackjack rules including at least one player rule and at least one dealer rule. The modified Blackjack game includes at least one deck of cards, a plurality of participant hands formable from the deck, and a plurality of game administrator hands formable from the deck. A game outcome can be produced by applying the player rule to at least one of the game administrator hands, and by applying the dealer rule to at least one of the participant hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark C. Nicely, Paul D. Miltenberger, Scott A. Caputo
  • Patent number: 8262455
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming device and method disclosed herein provides a player one or more modifiers to apply to different components or characteristics of a game. In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to selectively apply or associate a plurality of modifiers to a single game component or apply the plurality of modifiers across the plurality of game components. For each game component with at least one applied modifier, the gaming device disclosed herein modifies said game component based on each applied modifier. The gaming device generates any awards based on any modified game components and any unmodified game components and provides any generated awards to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Carl V. Kniesteadt, Alan Weiss
  • Patent number: 8262460
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda, James W. Stockdale, Chan W. Griswold, Richard Wilder
  • Patent number: 8263098
    Abstract: This invention relates to a “high lower alcohol content” (>40% v/v of a C1-4 alcohol) liquid composition able to be dispensed as a stable foam with the use of non-propellant foam dispensing devices from non-pressurized containers. The liquid compositions comprise an alcohol, C1-4 (>40% v/v), a silicone-based surfactant of at least 0.001% by weight to prepare a foamable composition, 0-10% w/w of additional minor components added to obtain the desired performance (a foamable composition), and the balance being purified water. The compositions may include emulsifier-emollients and mosturizers, secondary surfactants, foam stabilizers, fragrances, antimicrobial agents, other type of medicinal ingredients, and the like ingredients or additives or combinations thereof commonly added to alcohol gels or foams, aerosol compositions or to toiletries, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Deb Worldwide Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Teresa Fernandez de Castro, Bruce Michael Koivisto, Francisco Munoz
  • Patent number: D667727
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Diaz, George C. Boyse, Jane A. Gutierrez