Patents Examined by Andrew W. Sutton
  • Patent number: 9717287
    Abstract: A climate control vest having a flexible exterior layer defines a head opening area, left and right arm opening areas, a front surface, a back surface, and a belt configuration. A flexible middle layer is positioned between the flexible exterior layer and a flexible first interior layer. There is at least one pocket positioned to be over an individual's (i) front torso or lumbar areas, (ii) back torso area and (iii) back lumbar area to receive a temperature altering or control apparatus, each pocket is defined by a flexible second interior layer attached to certain portions of the flexible first interior layer except for an opening to receive the temperature altering or control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Coolture LLC
    Inventors: Van DiBernardo, Luanne DiBernardo, Dale DiBernardo, Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 9717294
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for attaching ear accessories to a helmet allows an accessory to be attached at a point outside the helmet shell utilizing, for example, a slidable mounting rail, and to reach under the edge of the helmet shell so that the accessory is supported in contact with the wearer's head. The hinge mechanism is well suited for use in connection with military helmets that have a “bulge” or protrusion over the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David C. Rogers, Charles H. Rogers, Darwin Keith-Lucas, Duco W. Noordzij
  • Patent number: 9713398
    Abstract: A clothes hanger (1) having a plurality of hooks (8) located thereon for hanging tank tops or other strapped articles of clothing. The clothes hanger allows a user to hang multiple articles of clothing on the plurality of hooks, thereby conserving storage space in a closet. The positioning of the hooks allows the clothes hanger to remain level by being counterbalanced while hanging in a closet. An optional base (14) allows the hanger to be displayed on a counter, dresser or other flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Ellie MacLaren Xavier da Silva
  • Patent number: 9706799
    Abstract: A swimwear apparatus is provided. The swimwear apparatus may include an upper portion having an upper base layer and an upper bikini layer, and a lower portion having a lower base layer and a lower bikini layer. The upper bikini layer may be configured to be removably attached to the upper base layer, and the lower bikini layer may be configured to be removably attached to the lower base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Mylitta Butler
  • Patent number: 9706867
    Abstract: A jewelry attachment device having a main body including a main platform that a person can rest their wrist or forearm thereon, and a clasp stand adjustably connected to the main body that includes a slot, such that a person can place a jewelry clasp member within the slot of the clasp stand in an opened position, place a jewelry item and their wrist or forearm upon the main platform, adjust the position of the clasp stand, and then connect with one hand a ring loop portion of the jewelry item to the jewelry clasp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Alison Brett
  • Patent number: 9707467
    Abstract: An athletic glove includes a hand portion and a cuff portion. The hand portion includes a palm area and a plurality of digits. The cuff portion includes a resilient material operable to apply a biasing force to the wrist, thereby securing the glove to the hand without the use of a conventional mechanical fastener. The cuff portion extends beyond the wrist of the wearer, covering at least a portion of the lower forearm. The palmar face of the glove further includes a grip enhancing surface disposed on one or more digits and/or the palm portion. The grip enhancing layer is positioned below the wrist and/or within the lower portion of the forearm to provide an extended contact surface to the wearer during gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventor: Jedd Komlos
  • Patent number: 9700088
    Abstract: Appropriately placed objects may aid in applying various types of apparel. A first object may be placed on left footwear/handwear and a second object may be placed on right footwear/handwear. An object that is similar looking to the first object may be placed on the left side of apparel. An object similar looking to the second object may be placed on the right side of apparel. An orientation for donning the footwear/handwear may be determined based on the location of the objects and the similarity between objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Aimee Hayden Baehr, Christopher Joseph Baehr
  • Patent number: 9700782
    Abstract: Glove for gripping an object having a palm section that overlies the palm side of the hand, a back section that overlies the back of the hand, stalls for receiving the fingers and thumb, and a tab extending from the lower margin of the palm section which can be pulled in a downward direction to tension the palm section, and means for holding the tab in a pulled position to maintain tension in the palm section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Implus Footcare, LLC
    Inventor: David Patrick McCrane
  • Patent number: 9693596
    Abstract: Face armor according to the invention comprises a face guard having dual side panels for disposition on opposite sides of the head of a person wearing the face armor, wherein a side slit extends upwardly from the bottom edge of each side panel such that the chin strap of a helmet extending to the chin of a person wearing the helmet extends over a portion of the side panel rearward of the side slit, passes through the side slit, and extends under a portion of the side panel forward of the side slit, thereby minimizing interference from the face guard to a snug and comfortable fitting of the helmet's tightened chin strap along the side of the person's head. In one embodiment fasteners close over each side slit and a portion of the chin strap to secure the forward and rearward portions of the side panel together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Rick Huffman
  • Patent number: 9687099
    Abstract: A collapsible hanger includes a left arm, a right arm, and a hook. A hinge rotatably holds the left and right arms together. When in expanded state, the left and right arms extend opposite each other. When in collapsed state, the arms are rotated adjacent to each other. The hook is rotatably coupled to one of the arms, and rotatable between first and second positions. In the first position, the hook curved end is located above a top side of the respective arm. In the second position, the hook curved end is located below the top side of the respective arm and rotated into an opening and recess in the respective arm. Magnets at hinged ends of the arms hold the arms in expanded state. Magnets at distal ends of the arms hold the arms in the collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Brad Alan Snow
  • Patent number: 9683622
    Abstract: An impact-absorbing compressible member includes a thin-walled enclosure defining an inner chamber containing a volume of fluid such as air. The enclosure includes one or more orifices which as sized and positioned to allow air to vent from the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber after the impact is released. The enclosure is formed of a blow-molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material which is economical to make and durable in use. The compressible members can be used as building blocks for impact-absorbing shell structures for a wide variety of applications such as helmets, protective pads for body parts, sports arena wall padding, vehicular bumpers, dashboards and the like. The compressible member has impact-absorbing advantages over conventional foams currently used in those applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: XENITH, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent R. Ferrara
  • Patent number: 9675127
    Abstract: A protective sports helmet includes a cap structure having a plurality of structurally independent cap portions and mutually connected to flexible interconnecting members such that the helmet has at least one overall configuration of minimum dimensions when not worn, with the parts of the cap mutually adjacent to each other, separate from an operating condition having maximum dimensions when worn. The parts of the cap are held together by interconnecting members in positions at a suitable distance from each other configured to enclose a user's head. The portions include corresponding sections each extending continuously between the frontal and occipital extremities, of longitudinal extent between those extremities which predominates in comparison with their transverse extent, the sections extending substantially parallel and at a distance from each other so that in the configuration having the minimum dimensions adjacent sections abut each other along lateral sides which transversely bound each section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SAFILO SOCIETA AZIONARIA FABRICA ITALIANA LAVORAZONE OCCHIALI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Guadagnin, Ivo Benvegnu'
  • Patent number: 9675128
    Abstract: An ergonomic faceguard for a helmet, and a helmet including the ergonomic faceguard; the faceguard including a wire grid having a plurality of horizontal wires. The plurality of horizontal wires includes a horizontal wire configured to extend proximate to a user's chin, the horizontal wire including a pair of lateral sections for engaging a shell of a helmet and a front section extending between the lateral sections, with the lateral sections extending along a common plane and the front section deviating from the plane along which the lateral sections extend. The front section has an anterior point that is elevated at a height that is greater than a height of the lowest point in the front section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ampac Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Jena Allen, Stan Jurga, Jr., Shyan-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9677855
    Abstract: A protective glove includes an inner liner having a soft pliable material configured to cover a front side and a back side of a user's hand. A protective layer is attached to an exterior surface of the inner liner and disposed over at least the front side of the user's hand. The protective layer includes a wire mesh panel that is configured to protect the user's hand from cuts, abrasions, and punctures and that has an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends. An edge protector is disposed over the edge portion of the wire mesh panel and substantially conceals the wire ends to prevent the edge portion from fraying and the plurality of wire ends from piercing the inner liner. An outer layer is attached to the exterior surface of the inner liner and is disposed over the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Performance Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. VanErmen, Ronald D. Henion
  • Patent number: 9669281
    Abstract: A protective system (1) for protecting a user during a contact sport includes an undershirt (3) and an outer shell (7). The undershirt (3) is configured to be worn by the user, and is provided with a plurality of shock-absorbing pads (5) each being shaped and sized to protect different body parts of the user, each shock-absorbing pad (5) providing a close-to-the-body protection for a corresponding body part of the user. The outer shell (7) is configured to be worn by the user, over the undershirt (3), and is provided with a plurality of impact-dispersion pads (9) each being shaped and sized to protect different body parts of the user, each impact-dispersion pad (9) providing a floating protection for a corresponding body part of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ID LAB INC.
    Inventors: Bastien Jourde, Steven Sdraulig, Martin Laberge
  • Patent number: 9648910
    Abstract: A body-shaping intimacy garment for a woman has an upper portion that supports or at least contacts undersides of the breasts while leaving the breasts exposed, a torso portion extending from the upper portion, a lower portion that encircles the waist, buttocks and hips while defining a crotch opening through the garment for access during intimate encounters, and leg portions that extend to below the knee. The torso portion, lower portion and leg portions each include respective portions of inner and outer layers of stretchable fabrics. The inner layer fabric is worn stretched about the torso, waist, buttocks, hips and legs, with tension in shoulder straps maintaining some inner layer stretch along the torso portion while worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Laurie Cronan
  • Patent number: 9648913
    Abstract: A cardiopulmonary lightning protection garment fabricated of an electrically conductive textile, or other suitable body shielding material, forms a fast flashover facilitating, electrical shield of at least an upper portion of the body, and includes a region of reduced conductivity adjacent the wearer's heart. The protective garment also includes a grounding member providing a movable connection between the conductive body shield and a local ground plane. Various configurations of the basic garment are contemplated, including a hooded jacket, hooded raincoat, padded vest, rain poncho, and the like. In various embodiments, the grounding member is a strap-like tail attached to the electrical body shield at an upper end, and having a weighted lower end for maintaining a sliding contact with the ground. In other embodiments, the lower end is attached to a wearer's shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Dan Schlager
  • Patent number: 9644923
    Abstract: A composite, protective fabric, and garments made thereof, are disclosed. The composite fabric has microflex layers of woven para-aramid yarn placed in proximity to metallic mesh layers of woven stainless steel mesh. The individual poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fibers in the para-aramid yarn have a denier of less than or equal to 2 dtex. The metallic mesh layers are woven from stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and have a mesh aperture of 0.45 mm or less. The garments made using the fabric include glove, bullet proof vests and chain-saw resistant trousers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Lars Petter Andresen
  • Patent number: 9629440
    Abstract: A styling cape includes a flexible sheet with outer and inner surfaces, and a plurality of peripheral edges. The styling cape further includes a closure for closing a slit to secure the styling cape about an individual. First and second through-holes are formed in the flexible sheet, and positioned so as to form a triangular pattern in combination with an opening in the flexible sheet that is positioned about an individual's neck, in each of a spread-out configuration and a use configuration of the styling cape. A first sleeve and a second sleeve are attached to the sheet so as to communicate with the first and second through-hole, respectively, and form conduits with the first and second through-holes for passage of the individual's hands through the styling cape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Julia Andrews
  • Patent number: 9629402
    Abstract: A protective glove includes a glove body defining an interior space for, in use, receiving a hand of a user. The glove body can include a liner that is constructed from or includes a material that is compatible with a polymer or nitrile outer coating. A padding layer includes a closed cell foam material. A guard layer includes guard elements that cover at least a portion of a back-of-hand portion of the glove body and one or more finger portions of the glove body. The glove also includes a polymer or nitrile outer coating applied to the liner. Methods of making the disclosed protective gloves are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Omega Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Ian Albertyn