Patents Examined by Michael D Dennis
  • Patent number: 11745092
    Abstract: A game piece assembly includes: a front surface formed in a first predetermined shape and including a predetermined number of pips, a back surface formed in a second predetermined shape, a side surface extending between the front and back surfaces, wherein the front surface, the back surface and the side surface define a hollow space that is configured to hold a prize therein in a closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Michael E. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 11738282
    Abstract: A self-rotating display device (1) includes and outer light transmissive container (2) containing a light transmissive fluid (6) and a body (4) containing an electric motor (14) for rotating the body with respect to the outer container. The body also carries a compass magnet (18) as a source of counter-torque for the motor to operate against. A magnetic positioning structure (20) made of ferromagnetic material secured to the container interacts with the magnetic field of the compass magnet to cause the body to migrate toward a location minimizing the distance between the magnetic positioning structure and compass magnet, so that the body can remain centered within the display while rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TurtleTech Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Yang, Shawyueh Lin, Ai-Chin Chiang
  • Patent number: 11738256
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to an educational and entertaining game that includes a playing board and a plurality of game tokens. The game board includes a track configured as an internal channel for receiving a plurality of tokens. The board is configured such that the track includes a first height that gradually lowers to a second height. The difference in height allows the tokens to travel along the track in a single row. Each token includes an indicator that can be one or more letters, numbers, words, or symbols. The tokens can be removed from the track to spell words with the remaining tokens configured on the track. As a token is removed, the remaining tokens will travel towards the lower end of the board due to the sloped configuration of the track. In this way, the ordering of the tokens is preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Ondov
  • Patent number: 11738255
    Abstract: An automated card dealer assembly includes a gaming table that has a plurality of chairs is positioned around the gaming table for having a player sit on the chairs. Each of the chairs is assigned a respective one of a plurality of gaming spots at the gaming table. A card dealing unit is positioned on the gaming table and the card dealing unit contains at least one deck of playing cards. The card dealing unit has a dealing chute that is movably integrated into the card dealing unit. The card dealing unit is in communication with each of the weight sensors and the card dealing unit deals a predetermined number of playing cards outwardly from the dealing chute. Additionally, the dealing chute is actuated to deal the predetermined number of playing cards toward each chair to deal playing cards to each player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Anthony Greene
  • Patent number: 11731058
    Abstract: A ride system includes a base, a ride vehicle, a platform assembly positioned between the base and the ride vehicle, and an extension mechanism coupled to the platform assembly and positioned between the base and the ride vehicle. The platform assembly includes a first platform, a second platform, and six legs extending between the first platform and the second platform, and the platform assembly is configured to actuate each of the six legs so as to move the first platform relative to the second platform in different configurations based on which of the six legs is actuated. The extension mechanism is configured to extend and contract so as to move the ride vehicle away from and toward, respectively, the base of the ride system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Steven King
  • Patent number: 11731034
    Abstract: Building blocks that facilitate configuration and assembly of playing pieces, in shapes of stair-like or clusterable edge-connected partially or fully cube-shaped pieces, are provided. According to a particular configuration of blocks, a main sub-block in the shape of half-cubes is provided, with multi edge-connectivity formation means/possibilities. The edge connectivity possibilities of the provided half-cubes are mainly implemented for the purpose of assembling and configuring clusterable stair-like playing pieces including multi-edge- and/or face-connectable cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Iromino Games LLP
    Inventors: Ramin Purraad, Parsa Tajbakhsh, Reza Tajbakhsh, Yasaman Tajbakhsh
  • Patent number: 11731035
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a board game system that can include a first game board that defines a plurality of playing surfaces for use with game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Denbigh and Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Denbigh, Caitlin Cooper, David Khoshpasand, Amy Lessley
  • Patent number: 11731057
    Abstract: A flight simulator having a wind tunnel with a vertical flight chamber and a second vertical chamber communicatively coupled thereto via air flow conduits. A nacelle disposed within the second vertical chamber includes a fan and a ratio gearbox connected to the fan. A motor is disposed remote from the nacelle for powering the fan via a jackshaft and the ratio gearbox. A variable frequency drive responsive to a control signal from a programmable logic controller regulates the speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Maida Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Maida, Arthur Armellini
  • Patent number: 11731011
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of golf club heads with flexible soles. In one embodiment, the golf club head includes a body having a crown opposite a sole, a toe opposite a heel, a back end opposite a front end, and a hosel. The golf club head also includes a sole curvature profile comprising a radius of curvature that varies as the sole curvature profile extends between the front end and the back end. The radius of curvature is configured to increase the flexure of the entire golf club head, thereby increasing the internal energy of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Morales, Erik M. Henrikson
  • Patent number: 11717734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of hockey-type table games, in particular to a game in which pucks are projected across a playing surface by means of a compression system that can be operated with the fingers of one hand and which aims to insert said pucks into a goal. Specifically, it provides a sliding puck multiplayer game having the possibility of adjusting the difficulty of the game and the number of players, characterized in that it comprises: a polygonal-shaped modular platform; a plurality of interchangeable connector bridges of different sizes that are connected to said modular platform; and a plurality of sliding pucks that are propelled by the effect of said elastic band, to go through said connecting bridges. In this way, it is possible to obtain a sliding puck game that allows a greater number of players simultaneously, with adjustable difficulty, portable and modular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventors: Alfredo De Goyeneche Parker, Alfredo Sebastián De Goyeneche Macaya
  • Patent number: 11708670
    Abstract: Particulate infill from a worn down infilled artificial turf, particularly a sand/rubber mixture which includes crumb rubber from vehicle tires, is extracted from a prior field and then thereafter incorporated into the top surface of the compacted base at the same site, thereby to assure better drainage conditions in the compacted base for the subsequently installed field. The extracted and incorporated infill helps to maintain open drainage channels throughout the top of the compacted base, particularly in areas where limestone is prevalent. Otherwise, the limestone “fines” are susceptible to compacting and creating a cement-like crust at the top of the base. An existing infill extractor/collector device is modified to operate in a second mode, so that instead of merely performing the conventional bagging of the already-used infill, the already-used infill is laterally diverted back on to the base at the same site, and thereafter, distributed and tilled into the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Technology Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph E Motz, Mark A Heinlein
  • Patent number: 11707667
    Abstract: Disclosed are a poker machine and a card collating device and method thereof. The card collating device includes a card collating base, a card collating channel outer side wall, and a center rotating disc The card collating base is directly or indirectly fixed on a base. The center rotating disc is arranged in the center of the card collating base. The center rotating disc is driven by a rotating disc electric motor to rotate. The card collating channel outer side wall is arranged outside the card collating base. An arc-shaped card collating channel for collating playing cards is formed between the center rotating disc and the card collating channel outer side wall. One end of the arc-shaped card collating channel is provided with a card discharging baffle. A card collating channel outlet is formed between the card discharging baffle and the bottom of the arc-shaped card collating channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG XUANHE ELECTROMECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zifa Jiang, Quxian Hu
  • Patent number: 11707652
    Abstract: An aerodynamic golf club head having body attributes that impart beneficial aerodynamic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Burnett, Jeffrey J. Albertsen, Marc Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11707658
    Abstract: A head for a ball striking device includes a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first and second ends. The bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The bridge portion may be formed by one or more trusses, and may define a generally triangular shape in one embodiment. The first and second ends may be connected to the upper sole surface using a variety of techniques, e.g., welding or other integral joining technique, integral forming, adhesive or other bonding material, or other technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Knight
  • Patent number: 11701556
    Abstract: A hollow-type golf club head, when oriented in a reference position, includes: a striking wall; a sole portion; a top portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface; a hosel extending from the top portion and defining a hosel axis; and a plurality of external ribs located on the exterior surface of the top portion. The plurality of external ribs are each generally elongate in a front-to-rear direction, and at least one internal rib is located on the interior surface of the top portion and is generally elongate in the front-to-rear direction. The at least one internal rib is spaced from the plurality of external ribs by a distance D1 no less than 2 mm as considered in top view of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Anthony Munson, Joseph Chen, Alexandra Agrella
  • Toy
    Patent number: 11697059
    Abstract: A toy for use by at least two operators, the toy having an actuator for manipulation by each operator and a fluid reservoir, each actuator being operable to prime the fluid within the reservoir and to alter the direction of fluid flow so that actuation by a first operator may cause fluid to jet towards the second operator and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Poole
  • Patent number: 11679335
    Abstract: Systems and related methods related to structures with large-scale rotatable elements. Some of the present systems comprise: a tower defining a plurality of human-habitable spaces; a tower hub coupled to the tower and having a transverse dimension of at least 50 feet; an observation wheel rotatably coupled to the tower and having a central wheel hub; and one or more bearings disposed between the tower hub and the wheel hub to rotatably support the observation wheel relative to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventors: Haskel Mayer, Cyril Silberman
  • Patent number: 11673030
    Abstract: Examples of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a top portion of a golf club head includes an alignment aid having a first plurality of strip portions and a second plurality of strip portions bounded by a virtual outline. The first plurality of strip portions have different surface areas. The second plurality of strip portions have different surface areas. The first plurality of strip portions and the second plurality of strip portions touch or border upon the virtual outline. The first plurality of strip portions are spaced apart in a rear-to-front direction of the golf club head and are ordered by decreasing surface area. The second plurality of strip portions are spaced apart in the rear-to-front direction and are ordered by decreasing surface area. Other examples and examples may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Matthew T. Andrews
  • Patent number: 11666804
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club with an adjustable shaft angle and a method of adjusting the same. More specifically, the invention provides a golf club head, a rotating mechanism and a shaft. The rotating mechanism comprises a sphere easily rotatable within predetermined limits so that the angle of the shaft may be adjusted to desired values which fall under the restrictions of golfing ruling authorities. A method is also provided so as to adjust the angle of the above-mentioned shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Roger Robert LeBel
  • Patent number: 11654339
    Abstract: Described herein is a tour iron having a golf club head with a faceplate, a body, and an insert. A sole, top rail, rear, and the faceplate enclose a cavity within the body. The cavity can house the insert. The insert can comprise a low-density material, allowing weight to be concentrated around the peripheral edge of the golf club head. The rear of the golf club head has an inflection seam running from the heel to the toe. The golf club head has an upper portion, above the inflection seam and a lower portion below the inflection seam. The upper portion can have a rear opening. The faceplate, body, and insert can be formed of different materials having different densities. The golf club head has a comparatively high moment of inertia and a low center of gravity. Other embodiments and methods are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob T. Clarke, Cory S. Bacon, Dave Wu, Martin R. Jertson, Travis D. Milleman, Ryan M. Stokke