Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thorpe North and Western
  • Muscle exercise devices and associated methods
    Patent number: 8147387
    Abstract: A muscle exercise device can include a crank having an axis of rotation. A first arm can be connected to the crank so that a downward external force applied to the distal end of the first arm causes rotation of the crank. The devices of the present invention can further include a second arm to which a counterweight is connected. Optionally, an assist mechanism other than a counterweight can be used to provide upward movement of the first arm with minimal application of force by a subject. A retrofit kit can be provided for modifying an existing device such as an ergometer or road bicycle. The retrofit kit can include a counterweight and a fastener for attaching to the device to the existing device. The devices of the present invention allow for increased exercise capacity, isolation of muscle groups, and biomechanical forces which closely approximate comparable paired limb motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: James Charles Martin
  • Air freshener clip with domed head
    Patent number: 8147761
    Abstract: An air freshener has at least one vent rod configured to engage an air vent. A scent material is associated with the at least one vent rod. A head is coupled to the at least one vent rod. The head has a domed face opposite the vent rod. Indicia is associated with the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: American Covers, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Wheatley, Christopher D. Anderson
  • Sulfur-containing conjugated diolefin copolymer rubber, and rubber composition comprising the same
    Patent number: 8148473
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sulfur-containing conjugated diolefin copolymer rubber composed of a conjugated diolefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, wherein (1) the content of sulfur bound to the rubber is 0.01 mmol % or more, (2) the content of the aromatic vinyl compound polymerization unit is not less than 5 wt % and less than 45 wt % relative to the amount of the copolymer rubber, and (3) the content of a vinyl bond (a 1,2-bond) in the conjugated diolefin polymerization unit is 30 mol % or more relative to the amount of the conjugated diolefin polymerization unit. In the copolymerization between the conjugated diolefin and the aromatic vinyl compound, a sulfur-containing polymerization terminator is used to terminate the reaction of the copolymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kameda, Makoto Ashiura
  • Tire puncture sealant
    Patent number: 8148448
    Abstract: A tire puncture sealant having both excellent sealing performance and excellent storage performance, specifically a tire puncture sealant containing a natural rubber latex (A) and a VEVA copolymer resin emulsion (B), wherein the solid content mass of the natural rubber latex (A)/solid content mass of the VEVA copolymer resin emulsion (B) is between 80/20 and 15/85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hideyuki Takahara, Takahiro Okamatsu
  • Methods for enhancing chemical mechanical polishing pad processes
    Patent number: 8142261
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a CMP device and methods that are capable of improving CMP processing through incorporation of vibration sources which produce vibrations in a direction substantially parallel to the working surface of the CMP pad. The CMP device includes a CMP pad dresser. Such a method can include steps of vibrating a CMP pad, CMP pad dresser, or wafer in a direction substantially parallel to a working surface of the CMP pad and engaging the CMP pad dresser with a working surface of a CMP pad The results of vibrating the superabrasive particles can provide benefits to both the CMP pad and dresser, according to several aspects disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Chien-Min Sung
  • Highly-depleted laser doped semiconductor volume
    Patent number: 8143688
    Abstract: A device with increased photo-sensitivity using laser treated semiconductor as detection material is disclosed. In some embodiments, the laser treated semiconductor may be placed between and an n-type and a p-type contact or two Schottky metals. The field within the p-n junction or the Schottky metal junction may aid in depleting the laser treated semiconductor section and may be capable of separating electron hole pairs. Multiple device configurations are presented, including lateral and vertical configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: SiOnys, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. McCaffrey, James E. Carey
  • Techniques for feedback in cellular systems to mitigate interference in downlink
    Patent number: 8140068
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising broadcasting base station (BS) channel allocation methods and supported interference mitigation techniques in a whole cell by the base station and reporting classification information by mobile stations (MSs) within the cell to said base station about their preferred interference mitigation (IM) techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Clark Chen, Hujun Yin, Hongmei Sun, Hua Yang
  • System and method for measuring accuracy of focus
    Patent number: 8139138
    Abstract: A reliable and repeatable accuracy of focus measurement device to measure the focus accuracy of cameras that employ a different light path between the lens and the focusing sensor and between the lens and the film or image sensor. The measurement device includes a frame having a substantially planar front face with a focusing target located thereon, and at least one depth-of-field ruler coupled to the frame with a transverse axis falling within a front face plane and a long axis that is angularly adjustable with respect to the front face plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: PictureFlow LLC
    Inventors: Michael Tapes, Paul Galburt
  • Techniques for always on always connected operation of mobile platforms using network interface cards
    Patent number: 8140087
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a network interface (NIC) card operable in communication with a mobile platform to monitor network traffic and perform filtering to enable decreased system resource use in said mobile platform when in an Always On Always Connected (AOAC) state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mousumi Hazra, Liuyang Lily Yang, Marc Jalfon, Mandar Joshi, James Tsai, Carol Bell, Krishna Paul
  • Apparatus, systems and methods adapted for opportunistic forwarding of uplink short messages in wireless metropolitan area networks
    Patent number: 8134912
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a subscriber station (SS) operable to communicate with a base station (BS) and at least one additional subscriber station (SS) in a wireless metropolitan area network, wherein the at least one additional SS attempts to overhear a first message from the SS and piggy back a second message for the overheard message from the SS's uplink data to the BS with its uplink data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Ozgur Oyman, Xintian E. Lin, Hujun Yin
  • Well completion plugs with degradable components
    Patent number: 8127856
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in completing a well includes a plug body selectively securable to a wellbore at a desired elevation and having a flowbore. A non-dissolvable flow restrictor is operably disposed in the flowbore and operates to restrict fluid flow through the flowbore, and a time-dissolvable retainer or spacer is operably coupled to the flow restrictor to retain the flow restrictor in a first position within the flowbore. The retainer is dissolvable within a predetermined passage of time to release the flow restrictor to move between the first position and a second position within the flowbore to control the flow of fluid through the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Exelis Inc.
    Inventors: Randall W. Nish, Randy A. Jones, Jason Jon Vogel
  • Device and method for mitigating radio frequency interference
    Patent number: 8130496
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a device and method of mitigating radio frequency interference (REI) in an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a housing, and a thermal energy storage material is formed in the housing. By increasing the loss tangent parameter of the thermal energy storage material, the REI of the electronic device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaopeng Dong, Mark MacDonald
  • Nitrous oxide/methanol injection system
    Patent number: 8127751
    Abstract: A nitrous oxide system for an internal combustion engine includes a bottle containing pressurized nitrous oxide coupled to a nitrous oxide flow line, which is in fluid communication with an injection nozzle operatively coupled to the engine intake. A control valve is fluidly coupled to the nitrous oxide flow line between the nitrous oxide bottle and the injection nozzle, and is operable to control the flow of nitrous oxide through the nitrous oxide flow line to the engine intake. A methanol injection line is in fluid communication with a source of supplemental methanol, and a methanol valve is fluidly coupled to the methanol injection line and operably coupled to the nitrous oxide flow line, such that a flow of pressurized nitrous oxide through the nitrous oxide flow line opens the methanol valve to allow a flow of supplemental methanol to the engine intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: James Atherley
  • System and method for resolving visual priority among coincident primitives
    Patent number: 8130222
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for resolving visual priority among coincident primitives for a computer graphics system. The method can include the operation of classifying primitives within a computer generated scene into an ordinary group and one or more coincident groups according to each primitive's visual depth set comprising a depth value, a group value, and a layer value. The primitives within the ordinary group can be rendered according to their depth value. The primitives within the same coincident group can be rendered according to their layer value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Russell Joseph Urry
  • Nanopore based ion-selective electrodes
    Patent number: 8123922
    Abstract: Nanopore based ion-selective electrodes and methods of their manufacture as well as methods for their use are disclosed and described. The nanopore based ion-selective electrode can include a pore being present in a solid material and having a nanosize opening in the solid material, a metal conductor disposed inside the pore opposite the opening in the solid material, a reference electrode material contacting said metal conductor and disposed inside the pore, a conductive composition in contact with the reference electrode and disposed in the pore, and an ion-selective membrane. The ion-selective membrane can be configured to isolate the metal conductor, reference electrode material, and conductive composition together within the pore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Henry S. White, Ryan J. White, Richard B. Brown, Hakhyun Nam, Jun Ho Shim
  • Unified decoder for convolutional, turbo, and LDPC codes
    Patent number: 8127214
    Abstract: A unified decoder is capable of decoding data encoded with convolutional codes, Turbo codes, and LDPC codes. In at least one embodiment, a unified decoder is implemented within a multi-standard wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Alexey Trofimenko, Andrey Efimov, Andrey V Belogolovy, Vladislav A Chernyshev
  • Composition comprising biodegradable hydrating ceramics for controlled drug delivery
    Patent number: 8124118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug carrier composition comprising i) one or more biodegradable hydrating ceramics ii) one or more expandable agents, and iii) sorbed aqueous medium which in solid form has a ruptured structure. The function of the expandable agent is to create a ruptured structure in the solidified composition, either a foam-like structure or a disintegrated structure where it is split into a large number of parts, particles, units, granules or pieces, so as to obtain an enlarged apparent surface area that is exposed to degradation or erosion upon administration. Suitable substances to obtain this surface enlarging effect are gas-forming agents or swelling agents, gelling agents or disintegrants, here referred to as expandable agents. The expandable agents may be bioresorbable or non-bioresorbable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lidds AB
    Inventors: Hans Lennernäs, Bo Lennernäs, Jonas Hugosson, Niklas Axén
  • Engagement flange for removable dispenser cartridge
    Patent number: 8113388
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for removably coupling a replaceable cartridge to a housing of a dispenser with the cartridge including a resilient member which prevents radial movement relative a catch member of the housing from a coupled orientation unless the resilient member is deflected from an unbiased inherent configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Andrew Jones, Zhenchun (Tony) Shi, Charles S. Charron, Ali Mirbach
  • Carrier for supporting textile material in a wet treatment machine
    Patent number: 5444997
    Abstract: Textile yarn package supporting carriers are disclosed for use in textile dyeing machines to enable the machine to be effectively operated at less than full capacity. Each carrier has a base with multiple upstanding package supporting posts equipped with interchangeable adapters to accommodate differing numbers of yarn packages up to the maximum capacity of the carrier. An upstanding wall on the base defines an enclosure for retaining treating liquid, and the wall has a selectively movable and removable panel for forming a liquid weir at a selectively variable level relative to the base to determine a maximum level of liquid which may be retained in the carrier enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Gaston County Dyeing Machine Company
    Inventors: J. Keith Turner, Matthew A. Meeker, Thomas W. Van Scyoc
  • Tile with wide mouth coupling
    Patent number: D656250
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Cheryl Forster, Mark Jenkins, Tyler Laitinen
  • Auto-arresting safety device
    Patent number: D656686
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: LynRus Aluminum Products, LLC
    Inventors: William M. Decker, Phillip A. Rawlings, Russell L. Margetts, John W. Pos, Mathew L. Luntz