Patents Represented by Attorney Tod R. Nissle, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6800797
    Abstract: An electric guitar includes a hollow acoustic body, a plurality of strings, a fingerboard, air in the hollow acoustic body, and at least one speaker mounted in the hollow acoustic body. A sound system operatively associated with the strings and speaker causes sound to emanate from the speaker when the strings are played and causes sound to vibrate and resonate the hollow body and air in the hollow acoustic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Henry Martin Steiger, III
  • Patent number: 6796093
    Abstract: A structural panel for a building structure includes first and second stud members each including a neck. Openings and venturi bridges are formed in the neck. At least one flange is attached to the neck. A foam panel extends between the studs. The openings in the neck limit the heat transferred from the stud to the edge of the foam panel. The venturi bridges in the neck also limit the transfer of heat from the neck to the edge of the foam panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Donald J. Brandes
  • Patent number: 6763984
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for flexing a concealed holster to secure the contents of the holster in the holster. An elongate substantially rigid elastically flexible sling is secured to a side of the holster such that the elongate member and side of the holster can be partially separated so the wearer's shirts can be inserted therebetween to conceal the holster. The lower end of the sling can be flexed outwardly away from the side of the holster such that a portion of the outer side adjacent the lower end is, when the sling is flexed outwardly to insert the wearer's shirt, flexed inwardly to compress a pistol in the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Richard N. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6755311
    Abstract: A stand stores long-handled garden tools. The tools are removed from the stand to be used. The stand is unusually compact and permits a plurality of garden tools to be stored in close proximity to one another. The distal end of a garden tool is slidably received by a sleeve formed in the stand. The sleeve is shaped to contact the distal end of the tool and maintain the tool in a substantially vertical orientation while permitting the tool to generate a force which forces the stand against the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Berry
  • Patent number: 6753729
    Abstract: An improved Class D amplifier which does not utilize a clock, is self-oscillating, and reduces switching errors and distortions. The amplifier includes positive and negative switches which are selectively activated to reduce errors in gain in the analog signal produced by the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Mitek Corporation
    Inventor: Simon J. Broadley
  • Patent number: 6705652
    Abstract: A door security system utilizes a bar that spans the distance across a door and prevents the door from being opened. The bar combines an elastic, flexible hollow rod with a cable that is pliable but generally does not flex. The bar flexes when an individual attempts to force open the door against the bar. When the bar flexes it generates a force that acts to close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Arnold Richard Engel
  • Patent number: 6696054
    Abstract: A method for producing a shaving lather utilizes a composition produces a lather and carbon dioxide when a liquid is added to the shaving composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Paul M. Falanga
  • Patent number: 6680451
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating particles having different triboelectric propensities. The method utilizes a voltage of less than five volts electrically charge a surface and to reduce the risk of fires and explosions that are associated with particle treatment facilities. The method charges a surface and the surface is used to attract particles. The method does not focus on charging particles. The method also utilizes apparatus in which the electric charge is frictionally produced by a member positioned on the inside of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Charles O. Miller
  • Patent number: 6676272
    Abstract: An interactive mirror for a motel or hotel automatically communicates with an individual staying in a room when the light in the room in which the mirror is mounted is turned on. The interactive mirror places the individual with room service, can be deactivated by the individual, permits light from a source positioned behind the mirror to be visible to the individual when the individual stands in front of the mirror, and permits audio and visual communication with the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: C. Richard Chance
  • Patent number: 6669610
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising internal and external oblique muscles utilizes lateral forces generated by the feet and maintain the upper body in a fixed position to facilitate exercise of the oblique muscles. The apparatus and method vary the inertial forces applied outside the feet to affect the degree of difficulty of the exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Slowinski
  • Patent number: 6648331
    Abstract: An educational interactive word game is played utilizing only a single game card. During the game a first player, after being given clues by a second player to the identity of a selected object exercises his or her deductive skills by asking questions of the second player to gain background information about the subject. After obtaining background information, the first player guesses the identity of the selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Patricia R. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6644712
    Abstract: A disassemblable orthogonal multilevel storage assembly is configurable into variable sized storage chambers for installation in vehicle passenger compartments and pickup truck beds. The assembly uses a plurality of telescoping panels each having a plurality of apertures spaced apart at equal intervals along designated lines in the panels such that the panels can be interconnected when positioned in horizontal and vertical orientations adjacent one another. Tabs are formed along selected edges of the panels and include a plurality of apertures spaced apart at equal intervals to facilitate interconnection of panels. The storage assembly can be configured to be installed in a passenger compartment when seats are removed from the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Hassan Rafi-Zadeh
  • Patent number: 6643930
    Abstract: A method for producing a cylindrical flange for the end of an air duct is produced by compressing a panel by differing amounts to cause the panel to take on an arcuate cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Issagholian-Havai
  • Patent number: 6637729
    Abstract: Evaporative cooling apparatus monitors light and heavy temperature averages to minimize cycling of the apparatus on-and-off when the apparatus is being turned on in the morning when the ambient temperature is rising and is being turned off in the afternoon when the ambient temperature is falling. The apparatus is suspended above the ground and includes a hollow housing with a top portion and a bottom portion, a fan mounted in the top portion of the housing to direct air flow through the housing downwardly toward the ground, and nozzles mounted inside the housing to direct water droplets into air flowing from the fan through the housing. The apparatus also includes a hollow, tapered member which captures a portion of the air flow from the fan and directs the airflow into a central area of the housing to insure that air flowing through the central area moves downwardly toward the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Larry R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6637495
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding wind chimes reduces the likelihood that a glass insert will fracture when they are placed in a mold and the mold is charged with molten metal. The casting temperature of the molten metal is adjusted to compensate for the surface area of the glass insert that is contacted by the molten metal. The glass insert are annealed prior to molding. A flexible mold is utilized. The tolerances of the glass insert are carefully controlled. The molded wind chime is carefully cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Steven J. Ballor
  • Patent number: 6634458
    Abstract: A new system for soundproofing floors utilizes a laminate material having a thickness that is 50% less than conventional asphalt soundproofing material but which has better sound reducing properties than the asphalt soundproofing material. The new system does not require the use of solvents inherent in conventional soundproofing systems, and, accordingly, results in significant reductions in the cost of labor incurred to install the system. The new system utilizes a laminate consisting of uncured rubber, particular embedded in the uncured rubber, and a fabric mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis R. Adamson
  • Patent number: 6615766
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a toy which when thrown bounces erratically, which compressively elastically deforms, which includes a soft fabric outer surface that compresses to absorb blows, and which can withstand being bitten or chewed by a dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jon K. Curry
  • Patent number: 6561553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus secure together a pair of opposing angle plates which are each mounted on one of an opposing pair of flange connectors that are each attached to the end of a different one of the opposing ends of a pair of sheet metal ducts. The apparatus includes a pair of interfitting members that include a cam surface to interlock the members to compress together the opposing pair of flange connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Issagholian-Havai
  • Patent number: 6556683
    Abstract: A system for installing a radio audio amplifier in a vehicle at a location remote from the vehicle radio. The system senses voltage in the radio speaker wires to turn the amplifier on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: John E. Levreault
  • Patent number: 6546656
    Abstract: An identification band and method for fitting the same to an individual's wrist. The ends of the band overlap when the band is applied around an individual's wrist. The band is constructed so the band can be adjusted to fit different sizes of wrists and allow the end to overlap without requiring that one of the ends be cut to size the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Carl R. Twentier