Patents Examined by Jessica Wong
  • Patent number: 9849975
    Abstract: A rotor hub for a reaction drive type helicopter includes a cylindrical sidewall having a top and an open bottom which defines an interior volume. A top plate closes the top of the cylindrical sidewall, and at least two pipe sections extend outwardly from the cylindrical sidewall. Each pipe section extends through the sidewall in communication with the interior volume. A horizontal vane is carried in an inlet of the pipe section and extends horizontally across the inlet. A three dimensional body extends downwardly from a central axis of the top plate into the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: RJ HELICOPTER CORPORATION
    Inventor: David J. White
  • Patent number: 9839209
    Abstract: A fishing bait holder, the holder having a rod for holding a plurality of pieces of bait, the rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having threads and the second end culminating in a fish hook; a washer through which the rod travels, the washer proximal to the hook and to the loaded bait; a spring superior to the washer and encircling the rod; a hollow cylindrical housing over the spring, the housing having a first closed end and a second open end, the first end having on the top of the exterior an orifice for attaching a fishing line and internally housing a nut into which the first end of the rod threads, the fishhook protruding out of the second open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: BAITANATOR, INC.
    Inventor: Mackie Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9834297
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Kyle Brookes
  • Patent number: 9832938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for mass cultivation of plants, which enables plants to be cultivated in the entire area of a greenhouse when the plants are cultivated in the greenhouse, thus enabling mass production of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: GREEN PLUS CO., LTD., GREEN K-FARM AGRICULTURAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeong Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 9826711
    Abstract: A rolling cart/carrier that self-rights a pet contained in the rolling cart/carrier regardless of what terrain is traversed, and is height-adjustable so as to allow comfortable rolling of the rolling cart/carrier by a user. The rolling cart/carrier includes a cart and a carrier. The cart is height-adjustable so as to allow comfortable rolling of the rolling cart/carrier by the user. The carrier is replaceably attached to the cart, and self-rights the pet contained in the carrier regardless of what terrain is traversed by the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Tracy Evans
  • Patent number: 9815345
    Abstract: Transformation method of hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air includes the following transformation and reciprocal steps: Tilting the compensation cover (7) on. Expansion of both whole wings (1) from the transportation vehicle longitudinal position around two vertical axes (2) into the flying position. Expansion of rear parts of wings (1) from the top front parts of wings (1) into the spread flying position by tilting the rear of each wing (1) around a horizontal axis (3). The take-off and landing tilting of wings (1) by an angle of attack alpha=0 to 40° of the wings onset. Front wheels track (5) is reduced by axially shifting the front wheels (5) towards the fuselage. Furthermore, a corresponding hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air is described which contains reciprocal transformation mechanisms for transformation from a sterling double or four-track automobile into a sterling aircraft for take-off and landing on the ground or water, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: AEROMOBIL, S.R.O.
    Inventor: Stefan Klein
  • Patent number: 9810601
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft structure comprising a structural component and a set of reinforcing straps for reinforcing the structural component, wherein the set comprises a first reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to a first surface of the structural component such that the first reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the structural component and a second reinforcing strap having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface is attached to the outer surface of the first reinforcing strap such that the second reinforcing strap extends longitudinally along the first reinforcing strap. The invention also provides an aircraft, a method of reinforcing an aircraft structure and a method of inspecting an aircraft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: David Tighe
  • Patent number: 9809329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Patent number: 9796486
    Abstract: A modular device for a spacecraft includes a propulsion system having a tank, a plenum, and a manifold, wherein the propulsion system is integrally formed with a structural frame of the spacecraft. A method of manufacturing the modular device is also discussed, the method including utilizing an additive manufacturing process to construct the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Planetary Resources Development Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Illsley, Hannah Goldberg, Spencer Anunsen, Chris Voorhees
  • Patent number: 9771157
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique airborne electrical power and thermal management system. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and electrical power and thermal management systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gagne, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, John R. Arvin
  • Patent number: 9764827
    Abstract: A hydraulic strut assembly, for use in a semi-levered landing gear in an aircraft, comprising an actuator and a manifold associated with the actuator. The actuator comprises a housing, a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston. The first piston is positioned between outer and inner cylindrical structures of the housing. The outer and inner cylindrical structures and first piston form an outer chamber that receives a first fluid. The inner cylindrical structure, the first piston, and the second piston, which is nested within the first piston, form an inner chamber, which holds a second fluid comprising a gas. A volume of the inner chamber changes when at least one of the first and second pistons moves. The third piston is positioned between the outer cylindrical structure and the first piston. The first, second, and third pistons move in a direction parallel to an axis through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary M. Lindahl, Eric Howard Nelson, Mitchell Loren Ray Mellor
  • Patent number: 9743644
    Abstract: A pet toy (100, 600) formed from a substantially rectangular a sheer center cloth portion (100, 600) with at least one edge a hemmed cloth side formed along the at least one edge (120, 122, 140, 142, 620, 622, 640, 642). The material is light weight and breathable. One or more images (112) are disposed on the sheer center cloth portion (100, 600). The center portion and the hemmed portion are made from natural fiber, synthetic fiber, or a combination thereof. One or more straps 1260, 1262) may be coupled to the hemmed cloth side. A pocket may be formed in the at least one edge to hold catnip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SHEER FUN FOR CATS LLC
    Inventor: Carolyn D. Keene
  • Patent number: 9725168
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a body, a plurality of arms provided on a periphery of the body, a propeller provided on each of the plurality of arms and driven by a driving motor, and a gripper provided on a bottom of the body to grip an object. The gripper may include a supporting bar extending downward from the bottom of the body and a head provided at a lower end of the supporting bar to grip the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Yong Kuk Kim
  • Patent number: 9706753
    Abstract: A brush configured for removing debris and hairs is provided. Included in the brush are at least one surfaced body having a pad, and a plurality of first bristles extending from the pad. One end of each first bristle is connected to the pad, and an opposite free end of each first bristle has a radially extending head portion. At least one additional head portion is disposed in a spaced relationship along a longitudinal axis of the first bristle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: WAHL CLIPPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shay Moeller, Carter McGuyer, Christian Zachrich, Bruce Kramer, Shelly Johnson
  • Patent number: 9688415
    Abstract: An aircraft hybrid fuel system includes a main tank and a set of flexible bladders, the main tank and the set of flexible bladders defining a fuel containment space. The system further includes a set of pathways coupling the set of flexible bladders to the main tank. The set of pathways is constructed and arranged to vent gas out of the set of flexible bladders into the main tank while fuel from a fuel source is provided into the fuel containment space defined by the main tank and the set of flexible bladders. Along these lines, each flexible bladder can be provisioned with a fuel port to provide fuel, and a separate vent port to vent gas to the main tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: Brandon R. Hall
  • Patent number: 9693474
    Abstract: An electrical core of an aircraft is provided. The electrical core includes at least one shelf on which is disposed at least one module containing components and comprising at least one input able to be linked to at least one power supply cable and at least one output able to be linked to at least one output cable. In the module, the output cable or cables travel under or in the shelf disposed under the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Bernard Guering, Yves Durand
  • Patent number: 9681639
    Abstract: A feces and urine disposal device for cats includes a support structure having parallel, vertically extending wall members, a bottom chamber, and an elevated relief area between the opposing wall members and above the bottom chamber. The relief area includes a pair of longitudinal channels disposed in spaced, parallel relation to one another and an open longitudinal gap between the channels and communicating with the bottom chamber. In use, a cat stands in the relief area with the left paws in one channel and the right paws in the opposite channel so that the cat is straddling the gap. When the cat relieves itself, feces and urine pass through the gap and into a removable trough positioned in the bottom chamber or directly into a toilet bowl. Cat litter or another odor absorbing or containing substance can be placed in the trough, as well as the relief area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Rachelle Mandel
  • Patent number: 9675013
    Abstract: Device for watering plants configured to fit into a growing container, such as a pot. The device includes an external casing intended to be placed inside the growing container and to be at least partially buried. The casing delimits a housing having an open top end intended to protrude from or lie flush with the soil, and a bottom end having a passage in the soil. The device is further equipped with a water reservoir positioned inside the housing and having an orifice around which a water diffusion system is removably mounted. The diffusion system is designed to pass through the passage of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AQUASOLO SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Philippe Balestra, Bruno Canin
  • Patent number: 9669948
    Abstract: A side-by-side dual-launch spacecraft arrangement is provided. The arrangement may include a dual-launch adaptor, a first spacecraft, and a second spacecraft. The first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be mounted on the dual-launch adaptor and may be arranged side by side on the dual-launch adaptor. An aspect ratio of each of the first and second spacecraft may be within a range of 0.55 and 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert H. Vichnin, Neil E. Goodzeit, David J. Hentosh
  • Patent number: 9648851
    Abstract: A pet grooming assembly includes a brush that has a handle portion and a bristle portion. The bristle portion has a chamber within the bristle portion. The handle portion has a reservoir within the handle portion wherein the reservoir may contain a liquid medication. The chamber and the reservoir are in fluid communication with each other. A valve is movably attached to the brush and the valve selectively inhibits a flow of the liquid medication from the reservoir to the chamber. A plurality of first bristles is attached to the bristle portion wherein each of the first bristles may brush an animal. A plurality of second bristles is attached to the bristle portion. Each of the second bristles is substantially hollow such that each of the second bristles is in fluid communication with the chamber. Thus, each of the second bristles may release the liquid medication onto the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: La Terence Graham