Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Patrick F. Bright
  • Patent number: 6620078
    Abstract: Fitness Triage® is a system and method for prioritizing delivery of personalized exercise and injury prevention information based on identification and analysis of user-specific health and fitness indicators. By providing answers to questions concerning key health risk factors, conditions, and habits, exercise information is delivered to the user based on the level of potential risk and other considerations associated with his/her participation in an fitness program. Based on the Fitness Triage® analysis of user data, the delivery of information is identified and prioritized according to one of three levels of potential risk. The user is thus informed of the level of risk associated with his/her participation in exercise, and the recommended precautions based on his/her individual health profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
    Inventor: Linda Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 6601804
    Abstract: A headrest for supporting a person's head includes a back panel adapted to abuttingly engage a person's head that includes a first hinge-forming groove at each end, and two side wing members pivotally and foldably attached to the back member at or near its ends with the side wing members including an offset portion with an axle rotatable in the first hinge-forming groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Bisch
  • Patent number: 6562790
    Abstract: Methods for abating coronary artery blockage in human subjects include administering a combination of natural hormones including human growth hormone with sufficient T3 thyroid supplement to maintain the body temperature of the subject at or above 97.6° F. upon awakening and at 98.7° F. or higher during afternoon hours. Testosterone, if any, administered to male subjects is in natural, gel form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Edmund Y. M. Chein
  • Patent number: 6564053
    Abstract: Satellite audio broadcasting systems include orbital constellations for providing high elevation angle coverage of audio broadcast signals from the constellation's satellites to fixed and mobile receivers within service areas located at geographical latitudes well removed from the equator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Briskman, Robert A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6532717
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for gas-tight sealing a plastic bag about perishable containers carried on a pallet utilize a rotatable turntable having an upper support surface for a pallet bearing produce, a tape dispenser for applying tape to seal a plastic bag to plastic sheeting at the periphery of the pallet, and a roller system that includes four rotatable rollers rotatably mounted on a single carrier. The carrier applies pressure through two of the rollers simultaneously against the tape during rotation of the turntable to seal the tape to the plastic sheeting and bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Forgnone, Marvin Weeks, Jr., Richard F. J. MacLeod
  • Patent number: 6508039
    Abstract: A removable window safety barrier includes two vertical frame members, two horizontal frame members, and additional horizontal and vertical members attached to the horizontal and vertical frame members. The barrier includes at each end of the vertical frame members flanges having holes of suitable size and shape to engage and be supported by pins affixed to the sides of a window with two such pins pointing upwardly from the bottom of the window, and two such pins facing downwardly from the top of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: John J. Gezelin
  • Patent number: 6470795
    Abstract: A closure system for attachment to and use in gas flushing a container of fresh produce includes a body portion, a closure connected to the body portion, and a pressure-sensitive mechanism connected to the body portion and to the closure that moves the closure to an open position or to a closed position, depending on the pressure exerted on said mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Eugene D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 6468239
    Abstract: Calf supporting device includes a U-shaped or O-shaped support and, within the support, and attached to its inner surface, sealed bags at least partly filled with cushioning material to suspend a user's heel. The device also includes a foot pad at the end from which a user's foot protrudes for placement against, and support of the sole of a user's protruding foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Vinyl Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Mollura, Sr., Kenneth Rehm
  • Patent number: 6467248
    Abstract: Methods for processing freshly harvested leafy produce, fruits and vegetables comprising cutting such produce, fruits and vegetables from their growth sites, removing the cores of the produce as necessary, positioning the produce, fruits and vegetables to allow their natural juices to exude from the cutting and coring sites for a time sufficient to permit substantially all the free-flowing natural juices at or near such sites to exude, and then washing the coring site to remove the exuded natural juices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Brown
  • Patent number: 6416064
    Abstract: A vehicle truck for supporting a ground contacting device, and in particular to a independent-suspension turnable skate vehicle truck which supports a wheel or wheels or a runner or ski, for example a roller skate boot have in-line wheels or tandem wheels is provided. The independent-suspension turnable skate vehicle truck has one or more deflecting beams attached to a wheel axle hanger and the opposite end attached to a skate vehicle mounting structure. The deflecting beam has at least one horizontal component and/or at least one vertical component. The vertical components resist vertical deflection of the wheel axle hangers to restrict upward and downward movement of the wheels or other ground contacting portions. The horizontal component controls most twisting motions controlling turning of the deflecting beam and wobble of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Lee Evans
  • Patent number: 6287117
    Abstract: Root-form, endosseous dental implants for insertion into an opening in the jawbone of a patient include a body portion, a neck and/or neck/abutment portion above the body portion, and an internally-threaded shaft; a separate optional implant extender for placement atop the implant with a top surface that mimics the top surface of the implant, and includes a longitudinal passage that receives a healing screw, and a healing screw with a threaded distal end portion to pass through the longitudinal passage, engage the internal threads of the implant and hold the extender to the implant, or to cover the opening to the internally-threaded shaft of the implant where the optional extender is omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Dental Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald A. Niznick
  • Patent number: 6276375
    Abstract: Apparatus for washing a cored head of lettuce includes a lettuce head guide that fits into the cored hole of a cored lettuce head; the guide is attached to a support that has an opening through which the guide projects, and, beneath the guide, a system that delivers a wash spray into the cored hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Eugene D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 6278823
    Abstract: A sensor array cable and method of construction thereof utilizing a sensor/interlink assembly to facilitate the relatively easy and inexpensive installation of a sensor device in a cable that includes a strength member to provide tensile strength to the cable, optical fibers or wires for carrying electrical or optical energy to and from the sensor device, and a protective outer jacket. A portion of the protective outer jacket is removed allowing access to the inner strength member and optical fibers. A segment of the strength member is removed and an interlink/sensor assembly is installed in its place. The interlink serves to maintain the tensile strength of the cable. Optical fibers and/or electrical wires are connected to the sensor device for operation. The interlink/sensor assembly and associated optical fibers and electrical wires are then enclosed in an overmold which is sealed to the outer protective jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lee Goldner, Gary Thomas Griffin, William David Briggs, Robert L. Kaplan, Dennis Patrick Bevan
  • Patent number: 6244867
    Abstract: A multi-part abutment adapted for use with dental implants such as cylindrical-shaped endosseous dental implants having an internal opening or passage with an internal, non-circular shape at the top, either internally or externally, includes part one that engages the opening or passage in, or projection at the top, of the implant at the distal end of part one, and fits into abutment part two, at the top end of part one. Part two has at its distal end a multi-sided cavity that interdigitates with a multi-sided periphery or other connector on part one so that part two can be placed in a plurality of positions over part one. At the top end of part two is a prosthesis-engaging or prosthesis-forming projection which may be at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the implant, or lie on the longitudinal axis of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Dental Inc.
    Inventors: Ines M. Aravena, Gerald A. Niznick
  • Patent number: 6223019
    Abstract: A satellite audio broadcasting system for mobile and fixed receivers at or near the earth's surface in geographic service areas at latitudes above about 30 degrees N or below about 30 degrees S include a satellite constellation of two or more satellites, each in its own geosynchronous orbit, with each orbit having orbital parameters that provide elevation angles of more than 35 degrees throughout the service area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Briskman, Robert A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6196237
    Abstract: A method for washing cored heads of lettuce includes placing such heads in a position with their cored holes facing downwardly toward an upwardly-directed spray of an aqueous solution, directing such a spray into, and washing the holes, then pushing the heads from that position onto a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fresh Express Corp.
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Eugene D. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 6189299
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for packaging whole or partially processed bulk, fresh products under modified atmosphere including placing such produce into bags or other containers for the produce, attaching to the opening at the top of each of the bags or containers a tube having an openable and closable lid, placing the bags or other containers with the tubes attached thereto inside a vacuum chamber, withdrawing air from the vacuum chamber from the bags or other containers until the oxygen concentration in the bags or other containers has reached a desired level, refilling the bags or other containers with one or more gases other than air while restoring the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and outside the bags or other containers at rates sufficient to minimize crushing or bruising of produce in the bags or other containers as the pressure in the vacuum chamber rises from the reduced level to a desired, ambient level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fresh Express, INC
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Michael V. Brown
  • Patent number: 6172506
    Abstract: A surface of the sample is scanned in intermittent contact mode with an the AFM. The probe tip is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to a capacitance sensing circuit. The oscillation of the AFM probe modulates capacitance between probe tip and sample surface. The modulated capacitance is demodulated to yield the capacitance properties of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Adderton, Virgil B. Elings
  • Patent number: RE37203
    Abstract: A feedback control system for enhancing the feedback loop characteristics of a vertical axis control in a scanning tunneling microscope or the like, including a tip member for positioning relative to a surface for measuring the topography of the surface. A horizontal control coupled to the tip for providing a plurality of adjacent horizontal scans across the surface. A vertical control coupled to the tip for providing a vertical control of the tip during the plurality of adjacent horizontal scans. A local error signal produced in accordance with the vertical position of the tip relative to the surface in real time during the plurality of adjacent horizontal scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Digital Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil B. Elings, John A. Gurley
  • Patent number: RE37646
    Abstract: A dental implant assembly is provided, as well as a system and method for exposing an embedded implant after osseointegration has taken place. The implant assembly comprises an implant member for embedding in the jaw and a rest factor member for securing to the implant member, the rest factor member having an upper rest surface just above the tissue level for opposing an overlying portion of a prosthesis anchored elsewhere in the jaw to form a non-retentive rest or support for accepting down pressure from the prosthesis. The implant member is relatively short and can be installed in distal jaw regions without interference with the mandibular nerve. A bore is cut out in the jaw for receiving the implant, inserting the implant and an attached healing screw in the implant. The implant site is closed and osseointegration takes place over an extended period. Subsequently, the implant site is uncovered, the healing screw is removed, and the rest factor member is secured in the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Dental Inc.
    Inventor: Max Zuest