Patents Examined by Kimberly S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7752800
    Abstract: The combination of a fishing reel support, a fishing reel, and a security assembly. The fishing reel support has a graspable body with a fishing reel mounting assembly. The fishing reel has a frame with an operating mechanism on the frame. The frame has a mounting stem and a mounting foot including first and second foot portions projecting generally oppositely away from the mounting stem. The security assembly prevents the fishing reel from being separated from the fishing reel support. The security assembly consists of first and second strap components that are joined to each other. A first foot portion is captive between the first strap component and the fishing reel support, with the second foot portion captive between the second strap component and the fishing reel support. The security assembly has a secured state and cooperates with the fishing reel support so that the fishing reel and security assembly cannot be separated from the fishing reel support with the security assembly in the secured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Se-Kure Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Leyden, Kris Michael Southerland
  • Patent number: 7748158
    Abstract: A box for storing fishing flies including a cover assembly having two dish-like cover portions, each having a continuous distal edge portion; and a hinge affording pivotal movement of the cover portions between an open position and a closed position with the distal edge portions of the cover portions opposed to and closely spaced from each other. A fly retaining assembly included in the box comprises a support plate that extends between the distal edge portions of the cover portions in their closed position, can be engaged by flies, can pivot relative to the hinge independent of the cover portions, and can be removed from between the cover portions when they are open. A layer of over molded sealing material provided on the support plate is in sealing engagement with the edge portions of the adjacent cover portions when they are in their closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Wieringa, John E. Stark, Gary A. Albrecht, Steven R. Lambert
  • Patent number: 7739984
    Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
    Inventors: Dee L. Conger, Thomas M. Perazzo, Matthew D. d'Artenay
  • Patent number: 7739982
    Abstract: A squirrel resistant bird feeder having a seed container, a seed tray mounted below the seed container, a shroud extending about the seed member and seed tray, the shroud having openings in a lower portion thereof, with a spring member mounted internally of the seed container and being enclosed by a central tube, the spring member having a first end thereof abutting a portion of the seed tray and a second end acting on the cover and shroud. Any excessive weight placed on the shroud or cover will cause the shroud to move downwardly covering the seed tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Côté
  • Patent number: 7735455
    Abstract: A ground supported poultry fountain includes a basin with an annular drinking trough, a bell shaped reservoir detachable mounted atop the basin and a heating element affixed to the bottom of the basin. The heating element covers the bottom surface of the basin under the reservoir and along the inner wall of the drinking trough. The heating element prevents the water in the reservoir, as well as the water in the trough from freezing when ambient temperatures drop below freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Farm Innovators, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin T. Clark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7730660
    Abstract: A fishing device includes an elongated stake having a first end and an opposed second end, a ground engaging portion formed adjacent the first end thereof, a through aperture formed adjacent the opposed second end, and a planar surface portion terminating the second end and being disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stake. A ring is movably received within the aperture and a first swivel is secured to the ring. A fishing line has one end thereof being secured to the first swivel while a second swivel is secured to a distal end of the fishing line. Fishing implements are attached to one of the distal end of the fishing line, the second swivel and a combination thereof. The user simply casts the fishing line into the water and drives the stake in the ground for unattended fishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Jack W. Matheny
  • Patent number: 7730657
    Abstract: A retrieval apparatus. An illustrative embodiment of the retrieval apparatus includes a main shaft having a trigger compartment; a pair of net support arms pivotally carried by the main shaft; a collection net carried by the pair of net support arms; a pair of arm flanges pivotally attached to the pair of net support arms, respectively, and each other; a trigger block slidably mounted in the trigger compartment; a trigger extending from the trigger block; and a flange attachment cable connecting the trigger block and the pair of arm flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Diane Gierucki
  • Patent number: 7726066
    Abstract: The elongated tubular pesticide administration system is designed to fit between the foundation wall of a structure and the lowest board in a lapped exterior wall system, such as wood, composites, cement-fiber board, vinyl, or aluminum siding. The pesticide dispersion system is attached to the inner surface of the lowest board, and it includes an extended, flexible, resilient seal which seals it against the outside of the foundation wall, thereby sealing the exposed area between formed between the foundation wall and the exterior siding. Pesticide foam is injected into the system through fill ports which are spaced along the bottom of the system. The pesticide foam fills the aperture and is then disbursed through pesticide dispersion holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: John Jeremiah Jordan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7716866
    Abstract: An avian decoy including a decoy body; a stake having an upper end for rotatably supporting the decoy body, and having a lower end for being anchored to a support surface; and a guide for guiding the upper end of the stake into proper position in the decoy body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Avery Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Lee Zink, Jr., Thomas B. J. Matthews
  • Patent number: 7716867
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ice fishing device which holds a fishing rod in a bent position until a fish strikes the line. A trigger releases the tip of the fishing rod, and the rod tip snaps up and sets the hook. A jigging assembly imparts an up and down movement to the line and the attached hook, to attract fish to the hook and bait.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Matt Dungan
  • Patent number: 7712247
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for affecting movement of an insect with respect to a specified location. One generates an electromagnetic field adjacent the location and exposes the insect to the field. Preferably the insect is a crawling insect such as a German cockroach, earwig, firebrat, or a silverfish. To attract insects, the strength of the field is not so high as to be repulsive to the insect, yet sufficiently strong as to be attractive. Such field generators are preferably incorporated into insect traps and insect bait stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Rosanna M. Wijenberg, Stephen J. Takács, Kevin Lam, Gerhard J. Gries
  • Patent number: 7703447
    Abstract: A dispenser for launching morsels of animal food one at a time. The dispenser includes a grip portion, a hopper for retaining a supply of morsels of animal food, and a launching chamber. A propelling mechanism, activated by a trigger mechanism associated with the grip portion, launches a morsel of food out of the launching chamber. According to one embodiment, the propelling mechanism is a plunger and at least one spring, wherein the plunger is adjustable between a loading position wherein a top portion of the plunger is substantially withdrawn from the launching chamber to permit a morsel of food to pass into the launching chamber, and a ready position wherein the plunger extends at least partially into the launching chamber to prevent additional morsels of food from passing through the inlet into the launching chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Caveza
  • Patent number: 7703414
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for respiratory pharmacology test and a chamber device that enables respiratory pharmacology test on particular large animals under unanesthetized, unrestrained state, with easy acclimatization and reduced effect of stress, and a method for conducting safety pharmacology studies on the same large animal individual. The chamber device of the invention includes animal cage 10 and transparent chamber 20, which includes first and second compartments 21 and 22 separated by partition plate 23. The compartment 21 has a door and ventilation connection port 26, and the compartments 21 and 22 are provided with communication pipe 29 having opening 29a for introducing ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Drug Safety Testing Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Kanno
  • Patent number: 7703233
    Abstract: An avian decoy comprising a body having a hollow interior; a support movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and an extremity movable between a retracted position and an extended position; the extremity including a foot and a leg; the leg having a first end positioned within the hollow interior of the body and having a second end attached to the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Avery Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Lee Zink, Jr., Thomas B. J. Matthews
  • Patent number: 7703419
    Abstract: A new and improved animal toenail sheath or cap, a method for its manufacture and various methods for securing said cap to an animal's toenail. The improved toenail cap utilizes a double dip polymeric manufacturing process to produce a layered cap, each layer being capable of having a different durometer, thickness or color than that of the adjacent layer. The cap may also contain a series of internal cleats to help secure the cap to the animal's toenail. Various adhesive methods, some of which are included in the manufacturing process, are also disclosed for adhering the nail cap to the animal's toenail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Toby Wexler
  • Patent number: 7698851
    Abstract: A fishing rod with elastic sling bait launcher utilizes potential energy stored in a pre-tensioned elastic cord to propel a fishing lure or bait attached to one end of a fishing line forward from the rod tip without requiring casting motion of the rod, the other end of the line unwinding from a reel attached to said handle. The sling launcher includes a U-shaped yoke which is secured to the rod shaft at adjustable distances forward of the handle and reel. The elastic sling has an elastic member consisting of an elongated length of elastic cord or a tension spring attached at opposite ends thereof to upper ends of a pair of laterally opposed, upwardly protruding yoke arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: David G. Donohoe
  • Patent number: 7694454
    Abstract: An in-line sliding line release is disclosed for holding a sinker weight to a fishing line. The release apparatus is attachable to and moveable along a fishing line with the capability of being manually fixed to the line so as to provide any desirable spacing between the lure or bait and the sinker weight. The release apparatus includes a compression arm which locks into place under a variable release tension setting. When a pull or strike from the lure line overcomes the adjustable tension set on the release housing body, the compression arm rotates upward by ninety degrees releasing the hold on the line sliding down to the lure or preset in-line stop. In the circumstance that there is no pull from the lure line, the tension screw means may be overcome by pulling the cam line guide manually to release the compression arm which will allow the device to slide down the line as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Grant Lumsden
  • Patent number: 7694653
    Abstract: An animal chew for chewing by an animal comprising a body portion including an outer layer having a first hardness, the body portion having a first and second end sections with an edge thereof. An end piece is supplied having a hardness that is greater than the first hardness, the end piece configured to engage with the body portion, wherein the end piece protects the edge section of the end piece from contact by the animal during chewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: T.F.H. Pulications, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen S. Axelrod
  • Patent number: 7694451
    Abstract: An avian decoy including a decoy body; a stake having an upper end for rotatably supporting the decoy body, and having a lower end for being anchored to a support surface; and a guide for guiding the upper end of the stake into proper position in the decoy body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Avery Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Lee Zink, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7690327
    Abstract: A method of milking an animal involves admitting the animal into a milking box and expelling the animal from the milking box, the milking box comprising a connecting device, such as a robot arm, for automatically connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal. The step of expelling the animal from the milking box is carried out using the robot arm. An installation for milking an animal is also described, the installation being provided with a milking box for the animal; a robot arm for automatically connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal; and a device for expelling the animal from the milking box. The device for expelling the animal from the milking box comprises part of the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Maasland N.V.
    Inventor: Karel Van Den Berg