Patents Examined by Darren W. Ark
  • Patent number: 10993429
    Abstract: An insect killing system has a blower drawing air entraining insects from below a vacuum machine, impelling the air upward, a flange oriented horizontally at an outlet to the blower, and a killing assembly affixed to the flange. The system is characterized in that the killing assembly comprises a plurality of panels of a common width, having an upper edge, a lower edge, and opposite side edges defining an area for each panel, the area closed by a relatively thin perforated sheet material exhibiting a matrix of through holes, individual panels affixed by the bottom edge to the flange on opposite sides, with each panel oriented by a steep angle from vertical, with each panel in the plurality parallel to and spaced apart from one or more adjacent panels, such that the area defined by an inside diameter of the flange is covered by the plurality of adjacent parallel panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Buck Tugel
  • Patent number: 10993424
    Abstract: An improved rod and reel attachment for a fishing rod that provides an improved method for securing a reel to the rod wherein the reel is attachable to the foot on the attachment that slides through a dovetail channel and is secured thereon with a locking pin that allows for quick and secure attachment and de-attachment of a reel to a rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Morse, Daniel Rubin
  • Patent number: 10986826
    Abstract: A durable and waterproof spinnerbait storage container having storage bags secured to a rod extending across the length of an internal compartment of the storage container such that each storage bag may hold a spinnerbait lure separately from other spinnerbait lures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Mafia Outdoors, LLC
    Inventors: J. Barton Langley, Jeremy S. Starks
  • Patent number: 10980224
    Abstract: An insect trap with bird guards prevents or deters small animals from becoming stuck to the trap, and includes a pillar mounted between a base member and a cap member. The pillar is located radially inwardly from the outer perimeter of the base and cap members, and has an outer surface having a coating of an adhesive selected for ensnaring target insects. A number of bird guards have end portions attachable to the base member and the cap member, and include a plurality of elongate members extending between the end portions, and are spaced away from the pillar. A spacing member, for example, a crossbeam, connects the elongate members for each guard, and is positioned radially inwardly from the elongate members, and at an intermediate longitudinal position, such that the elongate members will not engage the adhesive surface. The base and cap may further include spike members that extend away from the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Sterling International Inc.
    Inventors: Qing-He Zhang, Marc Chapin, Rodney G. Schneidmiller
  • Patent number: 10973221
    Abstract: The bird trapping device includes a potter trap that is mounted atop of a telescoping stand. The telescoping stand enables a height of the potter trap to be adjusted. The potter trap is able to rotate about a vertical axis atop of the telescoping stand. The potter trap includes at least one food bowl therein and/or at least one water bowl. A treadle mechanism is included in the potter trap, and upon activation shall close a door thereby capturing a bird that happens to enter the potter trap. A flag is connected to the door, and rotates to a vertical orientation once the door closes the potter trap. The telescoping stand may include wheels to mobilize the bird trapping device. Optionally, the telescoping stand includes a gearing member that is able to raise and lower the potter trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Carolee Caffrey
  • Patent number: 10966419
    Abstract: A trolling assembly with breakaway system, that has a movable arm assembly, an adjustable assembly, a mounting assembly, which has an extension arm having a first angle, an arm connector assembly, an actuator assembly, and a shield arm assembly that defines an acute angle, while in a deployed configuration, with a water line that a sea vessel is in while in a path of travel to shield a fishing line and baits and/or lures from seaweed and debris by pushing the seaweed and debris upwardly towards the water line along a tapered end of the shield arm assembly to then be released. The shield arm assembly, in the deployed configuration, extends outwardly from the sea vessel to define a second angle, and is fixedly connected to the arm connector assembly providing the shield arm assembly a predetermined resistance to maintain the acute angle while in the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: John M. Hernandez, Adolfo Martinez
  • Patent number: 10966420
    Abstract: In some implementations, an insect trap includes a plurality of individual cells, with each of the cells being configured to trap very few, and in some instances a single flying insect. Each cell defines a cavity and may be provided with an independently operable door to selectively close the cavity. One or more sensors may sense the presence of an insect to be trapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Ching, Ethan Jackson, Michael J. Sinclair, Patrick Therien
  • Patent number: 10959421
    Abstract: A noise-making device is provided. The noise-making device has a body, supporting legs, and a striker configured to, upon contact with the ground, create a noise similar to an animal footstep. In use, the noise created by the striker may draw the attention of animals, bringing them in position for observation, tracking, and/or hunting, among other uses. Additional optional features may be used in addition to the noise created to enhance the operability, such as visual and scent features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Herrick
  • Patent number: 10952417
    Abstract: One object is to provide a reel leg fixing apparatus including a hood portion having an efficiently reduced thickness and weight while maintaining a sufficient strength. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reel leg fixing apparatus including a hood portion having a reduced thickness and weight while efficiently ensuring necessary strength at relevant portions, and a method of fabricating the reel leg fixing apparatus. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reel leg fixing apparatus including a hood portion having an oblique end that allows weight reduction and maintains a sufficient strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBERIDE, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Oikawa, Hideyuki Naito, Koichi Ito
  • Patent number: 10952423
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a device configured to reverse the direction of a fish hook up to two hundred degrees deep within a fish's gullet. This may allow the hook to be extracted without a barb of the hook re-engaging itself into the fish's tissue, as well as without the fisherman inserting their hand into the fish's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Hynes Bay Outdoor Products, LLC
    Inventor: Carl Wilson
  • Patent number: 10952425
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a bed bug monitor that allows for detection and capture of bed bugs, and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Dong-Hwan Choe
  • Patent number: 10945425
    Abstract: An animal trap apparatus is mounted onto a rim of a bucket and comprises a plank having a bait receiving end and a mounting end, with a fulcrum feature therebetween. A bracket with a notch is received by the rim of the bucket while a receiving feature configured to receive the fulcrum feature. When the animal trap apparatus is in a loaded condition, the plank is in a loaded position whereby the mounting end of the plank extends generally horizontally outwardly from the bucket sidewall and the bait receiving end extends over the cavity of the bucket. In use, the plank is configured to pivot about the fulcrum feature in a forward direction when an animal approaches the bait receiving end thereby placing the animal trap apparatus in a tripped condition whereby the bait receiving extends downwardly toward the closed bottom of the bucket and the animal falls into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: The Rickey Mouse Company, LLC
    Inventor: Tracy M. Matzen
  • Patent number: 10932462
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a decoy apparatus comprising: a motor unit securely connected to a base, at least one wing member operatively connected to the motor so as to be rotated by the motor when the motor is engaged, a power source to operate the motor, and a shell that mimics the look of an avian animal that can be incorporated with the motor so as to cause the rotating wing members to appear as if they were the wings of the avian animal. In alternate embodiments, the motor is encased in a motor housing that defines a structure and the shell is a soft body in the shape of a bird with a cavity that is substantially to the size and shape of at least the top of the motor housing such that at least a portion of the motor housing is capable of being inserted into the decoy body, filling a portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Huntwise, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Denmon
  • Patent number: 10935971
    Abstract: A decoy system with a ballast that holds batteries to power the various elements of the decoy system including a Global Positioning System or location based receiver and circuitry that automatically controls the navigation of the decoy based on real-time location and desired/selected pattern information. The system can include a decoy with a propulsion system and steering system and an interface to a smart phone running a remote control app. The remote control app can be used to control the navigation of the decoy in view of the location information received from the GPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: M. Frank DeLoach, III
  • Patent number: 10932458
    Abstract: A submersible fishing apparatus that contains one or more cavities along the fascia of its body, each said cavity comprising a temporary individual housing for bait or fish-attracting material (including such bait as ‘stink bait’), so that a fisherman may easily apply and refresh the bait/attractant between uses, thus allowing a fisherman to easily attract fish with minor effort. The apparatus includes jigs, lures, weights, sinkers, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Henry J Manty, Steve Levine
  • Patent number: 10925268
    Abstract: Fishing tackle including, weights, sinkers, floats, bobbers, soft bait (plastic and rubber lures) hard bait lures, spinners, spoons and jigs incorporating cubic corner reflector for enhancing and reflecting fluid pressure waves generated by game fish with the reflected and enhanced pressure waves attracting the attention of the target fish and enticing it to strike at the lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Ray D. Flasco
  • Patent number: 10925266
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for capturing lionfish near the ocean floor. The present invention uses two jaws connected at the center by an axle such that the jaws open outward on contact with the seabed to form a ring supporting a loose netting. Embodiments of the present invention further include a deflector located on each jaw that facilitates opening of the jaws when the lionfish capture device contacts the ocean floor. A fish attraction device, or devices, located at substantially the center of the lionfish capture device is capable of attracting lionfish to an area defined by the ring formed by the jaws. Hauling of the capture device causes the jaws to close around and secure the fish that are within its perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventor: Stephen R. Gittings
  • Patent number: 10918098
    Abstract: A fishing accessory organizer that is installed underneath of a boat seat to allow a user to conveniently locate and retrieve equipment. The fishing accessory organizer includes a container body through which a seat pole hole traverses. The container body is fitted around a pedestal pole of a boat seat, wherein the pedestal pole traverses through the seat pole hole, such that the container body may freely rotate about the pedestal pole. A plurality of organization cavities is formed into the container body, wherein each of the plurality of organization cavities is of various shape and size to accommodate different fishing equipment. A locking plate positioned below the container body allows the user to adjust the height of the container body and configure the optimal reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Jesse Morehead, John Wydner
  • Patent number: 10912289
    Abstract: There is provided a fishing rod preventing or suppressing deviation or inclination of a fitting on a surface of a rod body. The fishing rod includes an elongated cylindrical rod body, a fitting having a mounting portion and mounted to an outer peripheral surface of the rod body via the mounting portion, a first layer formed by winding a first sheet so as to enclose the mounting portion and the rod body, the first sheet being made of a fiber-reinforced resin or a resin having a thermal shrinkage rate of 2.5% or lower, and a second layer formed by winding a second sheet made of a fiber-reinforced resin on an outer side of the first sheet, wherein a temperature at which a loss tangent of the first sheet has a maximum value is different from a temperature at which a loss tangent of the second sheet has a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBERIDE, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuji Kawamura, Nobuhiro Izaki
  • Patent number: 10905111
    Abstract: A light, in particular, a light having a fly killing function that can be used for lighting and killing flies including at least one LED chip, a fly storage means, a negative pressure fan, a fan hanger, a ventilation net, a power supply; wherein the fly storage means is connected to the fan hanger, the LED chip is secured to an lower end of the fly storage means, the fly storage means including an air inlet and a fly storage groove, the negative pressure fan is mounted onto the fan hanger above the fly storage means, a gap is provided between the blades of the negative pressure fan and an upper end of the fly storage means to allow flies to go through; the ventilation net includes a plurality of ventilation holes having a size that is able to stop flies from passing therethrough, and the ventilation net is provided circumferentially between the outside wall of the fan hanger and the outside wall of the fly storage means, and the fan hanger, the ventilation net and the fly storage means form a substantially cl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jian Zhang, Robert Bruce Cameron