Patents Represented by Attorney Plumsea Law Group

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  • Methods and apparatus to increase secretion of endogenous naturetic hormones
    Patent number: 8165674
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure by increasing secretion of endogenous naturetic hormones ANP and BNP such as by stimulation of the heart atria. Heart pacing is done at an atrial contraction rate that is increased and can be higher than the ventricular contraction rate. Pacing may include mechanical distension of the right atrial appendage. An implantable device is used to periodically cyclically stretch the walls of the appendage with an implanted balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: BackBeat Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Levin, Mark Gelfand
  • Apparel with raised course crease
    Patent number: 8161574
    Abstract: An article of apparel may include a textile element that defines a crease. The textile element may be knitted to have a first course and a second course that are adjacent to each other in some areas of the textile element and spaced from each other by a raised course in other areas of the textile element. The crease extends along the third course and has a length that is substantially equal to a length of the third course. In manufacturing the textile element, the raised course may be formed between portions of the first course and the second course through a knitting process, such as a flat knitting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Monica Litt, Derek A. Costarella
  • Method of customizing an article and apparatus
    Patent number: 8162022
    Abstract: A method of applying graphics to a set of articles with a graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The method includes a step of selecting an article from a set of articles comprising different types of articles. After selecting a last that may be associated with the article, the last may be attached to a last assembly of the graphic transfer assembly. With the article attached to the graphic transfer assembly, a deformable membrane may apply graphics to curved portions of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Scot Hull, Elizabeth Langvin
  • Intake manifold
    Patent number: 8151778
    Abstract: An intake manifold is disclosed. The intake manifold includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a PCV line and disposed generally upstream of a second chamber. The chambers are designed to provide a long flow path for the moisture laden PCV gas and to help reduce the introduction of moisture or fluids into the second chamber. This helps to prevent the ingestion of moisture or fluids by the combustion chambers of engine. An optional fluid blocker can also be used to trap fluids and help prevent those fluids from entering a cylinder port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel K. Lewis, Marcos J. DeLeon, Jared S. Shattuck, Yuichiro Tanabe, Takeshi Aoki
  • Football with inflatable bladder having integral grip areas
    Patent number: 8152664
    Abstract: A football comprising an inflatable bladder integrally molded with raised areas which are intended to be exposed, and exterior panels which are adhered to the bladder to span the spaces between them. The raised areas or ridges are formed to extend outward from the exterior panels and provide a raised grip area. By bonding the exterior panels to the bladder directly, stitching and lacing are eliminated to simplify construction and manufacture. The football is provided with a plurality of raised areas to provide more grip areas than the single lace area of a traditional football. Each of the raised ridges are contoured to more closely follow the shape of a thrower's hand as it grasps the ball and thereby providing greater contact area and better control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Madore, Ian R. Lindsey
  • Linked articles
    Patent number: 8151488
    Abstract: Linked articles and a method for customizing the linked articles are disclosed. The linked articles comprise a first link matrix and a second link matrix comprising a first portion of the article and a second portion of the article, respectively. The first link matrix consists essentially of links of a first material and the second link matrix consists essentially of links of a second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Aveni
  • Reversible article of footwear
    Patent number: 8151491
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a strap and a fastener is disclosed. The article of footwear is reversible by configuring the article in two different positions. The article of footwear may include a sole having a first side configured to contact a ground surface in a first position and a second side configured to contact a ground surface in a second position. The article of footwear may include a strap that may be selectively affixed to the second side of the sole in a first position and the first side of the sole in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Sarantakos
  • Fluid-filled chamber with a textile tensile member
    Patent number: 8151486
    Abstract: A fluid-filled may include including an outer barrier, a tensile member, and a fluid. The tensile member may be located within barrier and formed from a textile element that includes a pair of spaced layers joined by a plurality of connecting members. In some configurations, an edge of the tensile member may have a finished configuration or the tensile member may be contoured. The fluid is also located within the barrier and pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier. In manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, a textile tensile member may be formed with at least one contoured surface or a finished edge. The tensile member is then located within a polymer barrier and bonded to opposite sides of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Bhupesh Dua
  • Heat exchanger with recessed fins
    Patent number: 8146651
    Abstract: A horizontally mounted heat exchanger with recessed fins is disclosed. The recessed fin configuration helps prevent damage to the fins that may occur when objects such as tools or soda cans are placed on the top surface of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Unger
  • Article of footwear with dual lacing system
    Patent number: 8146271
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a dual lacing system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a first lace and a second lace. The first lace and the second lace include portions that are interdigitated, these portions being disposed towards an entry hole of the upper. The laces also include provisions for releasably fastening to the sides of the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Friton
  • System and method for crankcase gas air to fuel ratio correction
    Patent number: 8141545
    Abstract: A method and a system for correcting combustion in an engine to control for the effect of crankcase gases in the intake system are disclosed. The system includes one or more sensors in the crankcase ventilation system. An air to fuel ratio sensor may be disposed within a breather line and/or a PCV line of the crankcase ventilation system to monitor crankcase gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji D. Matsuura, James S. Robinson
  • System and method for managing an on-board entertainment system
    Patent number: 8145599
    Abstract: A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Pilgrim, John Vilkinofsky, Nathaniel W. Diedrich, Andrew T. Goeppner, Ross C. Miller, Jason A. Dutter
  • Patient's skin puncturing device
    Patent number: 8142465
    Abstract: A patient's skin puncturing device comprises a body (1), inside of which a puncturing needle (4) and at least one turned down arm (5, 6) are guided, and a push button (2). Between body (1) and button (2) activating elements (10, 11, 12, 13) are placed. Activating elements enable push button (2) to be forced into body (1) when a pre-set thrust force is exceeded. Needle (4) is driven by push button (2) by a membrane (9), which is broken after resting the needle (4) upon an abutting surface (16) in body (1). After breaking membrane (9) and the patient's skin puncture by the needle (4), needle (4) is withdrawn inwards the body (1) due to a transfer of a thrust force from push button (2) by turned down arm (5, 6) guided in the body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: “HTL-STREFA” Spólka Akcyjna
    Inventors: Andrzej Jankowski, Adam Nowicki
  • Turbocharged engine using an air bypass valve
    Patent number: 8136357
    Abstract: A system to cool exhaust gas entering a catalytic converter in a turbocharged engine is disclosed. An air bypass valve is controlled to vent pressurized air to the atmosphere to overrev a turbocharger when exhaust gas exceeds a predetermined temperature. The rotation of the turbocharger increases to maintain a desired boost pressure. When this occurs, the turbocharger absorbs more energy from the exhaust gas to maintain the desired boost pressure. Thus, the exhaust gas entering the catalytic converter is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Todd R. Luken, James S. Robinson
  • Method of custom fitting an article of footwear and apparatus including a container
    Patent number: 8136190
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter
  • Footwear incorporating crossed tensile strand elements
    Patent number: 8132340
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include various strands that extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to a sole structure. The strands lie substantially parallel to a surface of a material layer in a region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure, and the strands cross each other in the region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Meschter
  • Dial plate with diffuse lighting
    Patent number: 8128248
    Abstract: A system for providing diffuse light to a dial plate of a meter is disclosed. The system includes a light-guide and a light source. The light from the light source enters the light-guide and exits the light-guide to illuminate a curved peripheral portion of a dial plate with a diffuse light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Feit
  • Vehicle bumper and mounting bracket assembly for a lamp
    Patent number: 8128139
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper and mounting bracket assembly for a lamp is disclosed. The mounting bracket has a geometry that facilitates mating with flanges disposed on apertures on the bumper. The mounting bracket also includes resilient tab locks configured to receive tabs on the flanges. Ledges of the mounting bracket are used to attach a lamp that is held in cantilever relation with the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Stoffel, Nick A. Massaro, Steven U. Behm
  • Tower bar construction for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8128160
    Abstract: A tower bar construction for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The tower bar construction includes a member extending from strut tower to strut tower. This component resists relative movement between strut towers. The construction also includes two continuous sections from each strut tower to an upper panel. These sections resist relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel. The tower bar construction includes a central reinforcing portion welded to an upper panel that resists torsion exerted on the section created by relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Leanza, Christos Agouridis, Jr., Takashi Nakano
  • Portion of a shoe upper
    Patent number: D656724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Converse Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ferreira, Kenji Nakayama, Pamela Stauffer