Patents Examined by Kevin M Dennis
  • Patent number: 11533886
    Abstract: A connector configured for receiving a cartridge for forming a teatcup where the cartridge includes an elongated sleeve and a barrel pre-mounted in the elongated sleeve and having an inner space for receiving a teat and the connector includes a lower base member and a shell extending from the lower base member and surrounding a receiving space for receiving the cartridge, the lower base member and the shell foringm one piece of a plastic material, and the shell being configured to extend along an axial length of the elongated sleeve at least to the upper end of the sleeve when the cartridge is received in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Anna Andersson
  • Patent number: 11516990
    Abstract: A milker unit short milk tube having a downstream milk claw connection end; a position and release device joined to and extending away from the downstream milk claw connection end; a controlled flexible portion disposed in an upstream direction from the position and release device; a reinforced portion disposed in upstream direction from the controlled flexible portion; and an interior milking claw inlet sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Hedlund
  • Patent number: 11484019
    Abstract: A system for closing a gap associated with an opening in a floor of an ice fishing structure. The system may include an ice hole sleeve for removably positioning in the opening of the floor to extend down toward an upper ice surface. The ice hole sleeve has a top with an upper sleeve opening and a bottom with a lower sleeve opening. The ice hole sleeve includes a sleeve wall for extending through the opening of the floor and downwardly from the floor. The sleeve wall has a sleeve inward face and a sleeve outward face on opposite sides of the sleeve wall. The system may further include a gap closing device having a tubular configuration with an endless circumference and being positioned on the sleeve outward face of the ice hole sleeve to facilitate closure of a gap associated with the opening in the floor. The gap closing device may be resiliently compressible and stretchable in a circumferential direction to increase a circumferential length of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Zierden, Dan Zierden
  • Patent number: 11457619
    Abstract: A fishing rod holder alert apparatus for improved ice fishing includes a housing, a rod aperture configured to hold the handle of a fishing rod, and a pivot rod. The pivot arm moves between a side position and an alternate front position. A swing arm moves between an engaged position and an alternate released position and has a line slot configured to secure a fishing line. A plurality of magnets is coupled to the pivot arm. A ferrous strip is coupled to the swing arm and is selectively engageable with the plurality of magnets to secure the swing arm in the engaged position until pulled by the fishing line, tripping a switch sensor to activate a buzzer. A logic module and a battery are coupled to the housing. The battery is in operational communication with the switch sensor, the buzzer, and the logic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Lawrence Tanner, Todd Tanner
  • Patent number: 11445696
    Abstract: A bed system is disclosed. The bed system may include a perimeter support and associated bedding and may be used by a person or an animal. The bedding may include an upper cavity to receive the support and a lower portion configured with a perimeter zipper. By closing the zipper, the support transitions from a linear configuration to an arc-shaped configuration defining the perimeter of the bed. The inner region of the bed comprises soft ruffled material formed by the gathered lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: Tia Bryn Miller, Young LeQuang
  • Patent number: 11395483
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ice fishing hole chamferer 10 with an elongated shaft 20 for inserting into an ice fishing hole 160 having a top end 60 and a submerged end 30 with an axle 40 and an axis 50, and a propeller 90 having a cutter side 96 with at least one cutter 94 and a thrust side 98 configured for propelling water, said propeller having a hub 80 for connecting to the axle and at least two radiating propeller blades 92, wherein the propeller blades are hinged to the hub to move between a narrow closed position less than the diameter of the ice fishing hole 160 and situated along the axis of the elongated shaft and an extended open position greater than the diameter of the ice fishing hole and angled for chamfering the bottom 162 of the ice fishing hole at a chamfering angle 128, and a propelling means 70, 110, 100 for rotating the propeller, wherein the propeller revolves about the axis and the propeller blades are configured to centrifugally extend to the extended open position and thrust upw
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Matthew Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 11297806
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for a lighting controller for sea lice detection. In some implementations, a pulse of red light and a pulse of blue light can be timed with the exposure of a camera to capture multiple images of a fish or group of fishes in both red and blue light. By using the captured images with different color light, computers can detect features on the body of a fish including sea lice, skin lesions, shortened operculum or other physical deformities and skin features. Detection results can aid in mitigation techniques or be stored for analytics. For example, sea lice detection results can inform targeted treatments comprised of lasers, fluids, or mechanical devices such as a brush or suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Messana, Christopher Thornton, Grace Calvert Young
  • Patent number: 11278016
    Abstract: A fishing rod holder assembly is provided in a cabin of a boat. A rod holder locking member is mounted on a shelf in the cabin and is movable between an outboard position in the cabin and a position in the direction of the interior of the cabin. The locking member includes two plates hinged to each other to open and close, and having at least one cutout to receive and hold a rod handle therein. A rod tip holder is provided spaced from the rod holder locking member to support the tip of a fishing rod held within the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: GRADY-WHITE BOATS, INC.
    Inventor: David A Neese
  • Patent number: 11246306
    Abstract: An insect eradication device configured to fit within the palm of the user's hand. The device includes a body defining at least a pair of radial compartments. The compartments can be arranged substantially adjacent to each other. The compartments can be substantially circular or elliptical in shape. A first compartment is configured to securably receive a balloon propulsion sling pouch. A second compartment includes a combination projectile container and grinder. The projectile can include salt or another suitable substance. The device uses salt—which is not a food or debris that bugs would consume—to kill flies and other bugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Saltshot, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Dillon
  • Patent number: 11160265
    Abstract: An insect trap useful for trapping flying insects, the insect trap comprising an upper housing including at least one horizontal row of light emitting diodes extending across an outer surface of a curved front wall such that light from each of the light emitting diodes is projected outwardly from the upper housing at a different angle than adjacent light emitting diodes in the horizontal row of light emitting diodes, a base housing including an opening through which insects can enter an interior of the base housing, and an insect trapping element facing the opening in the base housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lizbel I. Cajigas, Hoc V. Nguyen, Peter Edde, Anh N. Dinh, David Gabriel Bustos
  • Patent number: 11154016
    Abstract: An assembly line grow pod includes a seeding region, a harvesting region, a track that extends between the seeding region and the harvesting region, a cart including a tray for holding plant matter, and a wheel coupled to the tray, where the wheel is engaged with the track, and a weight sensor positioned on the cart or the track, where the weight sensor is positioned to detect a weight of the plant matter positioned within the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Grow Solutions Tech LLC
    Inventors: Gary Bret Millar, Michael Stephen Hurst, Taylor John Woodbury
  • Patent number: 11147262
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric mousetrap with intelligent detection and safety protection functions, which includes a cavity structure defined by an upper shell and a base and provided with a hole, wherein a power supply module, an intelligent control circuit board, an indication module and a high-voltage generator module are mounted on the upper shell; three mutually-independent electrode plates are arranged on the base and all electrically connected with the intelligent control circuit board, and the intelligent control circuit board receives signals transmitted from the electrode plates and controls the indication module and the high-voltage generator module to act correspondingly after processing the signals. The electric mousetrap can intelligently detect the activity condition of a mouse in the mousetrap and electrically shock the mouse, is safe in use and has a good power saving effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: HANDLE TECH (SZ) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 11129342
    Abstract: A light-deprivation system includes shades having a fixed end that form a perimeter that defines a growing environment, cables attached to a free end of each shade, a cable guide located near a pinnacle of the light-deprivation system, and a winch to draw the shades. The cables run from the free end of each shade, through the cable guide, to the winch. Operation of the winch draws the shades simultaneously to block substantially all light from sources external to the growing environment from reaching the growing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Trent R. Nydegger
  • Patent number: 11116187
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for collecting and decompressing one or more live specimens from a relatively high-pressure environment. The apparatus includes at least one hyperbaric chamber having an inner jar and an outer jar, the inner jar being insertable into the outer jar. A pump is configured to provide a pressurized fluid to the hyperbaric chamber. The inner and outer jars are respectively dimensioned such that an annular gap is created between them when the inner jar is inserted into the outer jar. The annular gap is configured as a return path for the pressurized fluid to travel from a second outer end to a first outer end of the outer jar. At least one pressure control valve is operatively connected to and configured to control an internal pressure of the hyperbaric chamber. The pressure control valve is selectively adjusted to decompress the live specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: California Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Matt Wandell, William R. Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Luiz A. Rocha, Toshiro Chiang
  • Patent number: 11064687
    Abstract: An ice fishing hole covering assembly includes a unitary fishing hole covering with a panel that is rigid and has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The top side is planar and the panel is translucent with a circular shape and a central axis. A reel is rotatably coupled to the bottom side of the panel and has fishing line spooled thereon. The panel has a plurality of apertures therein extending to the top side and outwardly through the bottom side to define finger grips. A strike indicator is attached to the bottom side of the panel and includes a light emitter that is turned on when the fishing line is pulled downwardly from the bottom side. An entirety of the unitary structure is positioned no higher than 0.30 inches above a plane of the top side before and after actuation of the strike indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventors: Cody McCarter, Amber McCarter
  • Patent number: 11051444
    Abstract: A seed activation system includes a shattering layer applied to an outer surface of a seed. The shattering layer forms a water-resistant coating around the seed that prevents the seed from germinating. An activation mechanism for transmitting electromagnetic energy is provided such that the shattering layer is compromised to break the water-resistant coating. The seed is then able to receive water and germinate. A seed activation method includes applying a shattering layer to an outer surface of a seed. The shattering layer forms a water-resistant coating around the seed that prevents the seed from germinating. The method further includes planting the seed in a soil, selecting an activation time, and activating the seed at the activation time by transmitting electromagnetic energy into the soil such that the shattering layer is compromised thereby breaking the water-resistant coating. The seed is then able to receive water for germinating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Miles Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11044903
    Abstract: A hunting blind includes a dome-shaped structure made of weather-resistant material having a plurality of flaps disposed throughout the top side thereof. A plurality of ground stakes is positioned perpendicularly beneath the underside surface of the dome-shaped structure. A plurality of apertures is disposed through at least one (1) of the flaps, each capable of receiving a portion of a decoy therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Foate, Kelly Foate
  • Patent number: 11039597
    Abstract: An animal feeder for use in an electronic animal feeding system comprising a computer controller, a feed storage, a feed delivery system, and at least one feeding station comprising the feeder, a bowl and an identifier, the feeder comprising a reservoir for receiving feed and comprising an agitator for agitating the feed inside the reservoir and a dosage tray, a motor assembly comprising a motor actuatable by the computer controller, the motor rotating the agitator and the dosage tray such that the dosage tray receives a pre-determined dosage of feed from the reservoir, the motor assembly further comprising a detector detecting the rotation of the dosage tray and communicating a rotation status to the computer controller, and a funnel assembly comprising an upper funnel transferring feed from the reservoir to the bowl, wherein an alarm is activatable by the computer controller if a blockage is detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Daniel
  • Patent number: 11026398
    Abstract: A pet food and water bowl apparatus includes a first bowl which is configured to contain water for a pet to drink, and the completely surround a support structure on which a second bowl for food in mounted. Surrounding the support structure with water prevent crawling insects from getting to the food in the second bowl. The second bowl is also configured to prevent food from falling into the water in the first bowl through changes in orientation of the second bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Eric David Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11000012
    Abstract: A collapsible scent training wheel for training animals to detect and respond to target scent material. The training wheel includes a support base configured to be positioned on a support surface and a rotatable carousel including a top plate and a plurality of support arms extending radially outward from the top plate. Each support arm has a first end rotatably connected to the top plate and a second end configured to be coupled to a scent receptacle. The training wheel also includes a hub assembly detachably mechanically coupling the rotatable carousel to the support base, wherein the hub assembly is configured to permit the carousel to rotate relative to the base. The connection between the first ends of each support arm and the top plate permits each of the support arms to rotate relative to the top plate between an open position and a collapsed storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Patrick L. Nolan