Patents Examined by Russell D. Stormer
  • Patent number: 8070240
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly for a track-type machine comprises a plurality of teeth, radially-disposed about a center of the sprocket assembly, each of the plurality of teeth comprising opposing tooth flanks, wherein successive pairs of teeth defines a substantially concave channel for receiving therein a cylindrical pin member associated with a track link member of a continuous track chain, each tooth flank having a tooth angle less than about 17 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jianping Zheng, Daniel Marcel Désiré Angot, David Francis Schaefer, Selvaraj Kuppannan
  • Patent number: RE46219
    Abstract: A system for load control in an electrical power system is described, wherein one or more temperature-monitoring devices are provided to control operation of a pool pump. When ambient temperatures are relatively high, and thus, electrical power demands from air conditioning systems are relatively high, the temperature-monitoring devices can remove power from the controlled device during the hottest portions of the day. The temperature-monitoring devices can provide power to the controlled devices during the cooler portions of the day. During heat waves or other periods of relatively continuous high heat, the temperature-monitoring devices can schedule power to the controlled devices to reduce overall power demands and to run the controlled devices during the cooler portions of the day when air conditioning electrical loads are reduced. The temperature-monitoring devices can also coordinate operation of the pool pump and a pool heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: RE46253
    Abstract: A rollator carrier is operable to quickly support and secure a rollator. The carrier includes a pair of cradles to support the rollator, and an arm that rotates between a horizontal and vertical position. With the arm down, a user can easily lift the rollator into the relatively low cradles. The user can then rotate the arm up to the vertical position and secure the rollator to the carrier with a clamp of the carrier extending from the top end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Steady Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Sherry Costanza-Steady
  • Patent number: RE47056
    Abstract: Described is a multi-handled tool that is ergonomically designed to maximize the efficiency of the tool by the use of a handle, optionally rotating, affixed to the shaft of the tool. The rotating handle may be rotated and locked into any desired position so the user can adjust the tool to create maximum efficiency. In addition, a footstep is optionally provided above the tool that allows for a greater digging force. A combination of the first, top handle with the ergonomically spaced handle placement that is completely adjustable combined with the footstep above the head of the tool provides for a tool that is much more efficient than the standard tools used today.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen Walden, Ronald Johnson, Steven Escobar
  • Patent number: RE47347
    Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box for cats employs a comb drive to drive a comb through litter to remove waste from the litter. A sensor for detecting the presence of an obstruction is coupled to the comb drive and stops the comb drive upon detecting an obstruction. A manual mode selector switch and an actuating switch are provided to manually activate the cleaning of the litter box at a time deemed appropriate by the cat owner. A foot pedal unit may be provided for semi-automatic use. A removable tray for cat litter may be provided. The tray may be disposable. A pivotable ramp facilitates ingress to, and egress from, the litter box. The ramp may be carpeted. A tray receives the litter box and a hood encloses the litter box to provide privacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Pauline Thaler, Philip Y. H. Cheung
  • Patent number: RE47495
    Abstract: A rain-screen siding system for buildings, including clips to support siding boards parallel with a flat surface of a building wall structure but spaced apart from the building wall to allow air to circulate between the building wall structure and the siding boards. The clips include paired, opposed channels and the siding boards have tongues that fit into the channels. Drainage grooves are defined in the clips. Bottom support members may extend horizontally to support the siding boards at the bottom of the rain screen siding. Corner closing members are provided to protect end faces of siding boards at an exterior corner of a building wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Wood Siding Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Duncan MacKenzie
  • Patent number: RE47525
    Abstract: The folding playard consists of a frame and a fabric enclosure mounted on the frame. The frame is composed of an array of scissoring tube pairs making up the sides of the structure. The fabric enclosure has the same number of sides as the frame and an integral bottom floor. To lock the playard in the “in use” position, a plastic hook clip, which is connected to the bottom floor fabric and the top of the structure is engaged. This strap ensures the tubes are locked in the “in use” position and the structure cannot collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
    Inventors: Mark James Sousa, William A. Henderson, Spencer P. Brown, Anthony A. Paolo
  • Patent number: RE47623
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base with a first air inlet, a rear housing, a removable handle and a socket on the housing to receive the handle. The handle has a grip, a second air inlet, and a hose connected to the second air inlet. The vacuum has a valve with a first inlet connected to the first air inlet, a second inlet connected to the flexible hose, a valve outlet connected to a vacuum fan, and a valve member that moves to connect the valve outlet to either inlet. The vacuum has a handle latch having one position in which it engages the removable handle to hold it in the socket and places the valve in one position, and a second position in which it releases the handle and places the valve member the other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MIDEA AMERICA, CORP.
    Inventors: Arnold Sepke, Benjamin Stephens
  • Patent number: RE47687
    Abstract: A damping system includes: a fixed member; an airbag device including a back holder and disposed on a rear side of the fixed member; an elastic member mounted in a mounting hole of the back holder; and a horn switch mechanism including a support member supported on the fixed member on a front side of the back holder, and a slider disposed between the support member and the elastic member. The airbag device functions as a damper mass of a dynamic damper, and the elastic member functions as a spring thereof. The horn switch mechanism includes an extended portion extending forwards. An engaged portion is formed at a circumferential edge portion of the mounting hole to extend rearwards. The elastic member includes an engaging portion opened in a front surface thereof. The elastic member is sandwiched by the engaged portion fitted in the engaging portion and the extended portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norio Umemura, Tsutomu Ishii, Kosuke Shigeta, Osamu Hirose
  • Patent number: RE47752
    Abstract: A system is provided herein which includes a closet flange insert and at least one spacer to be positioned between the closet flange insert and an installed closet flange. The closet flange insert includes a toilet connecting flange which extends radially outwardly from a through pipe. The through pipe is sized to be inserted into a pipe section of a closet flange. Each spacer includes spaced apart first and second faces, and spaced apart inner and outer edges extending between the first and second faces. The inner edge defines an opening extending through the body, the opening sized to permit passage therethrough of the through pipe of the closet flange insert but not the toilet connecting flange of the closet flange insert. With the subject invention, a system is provided which allows the closet flange insert to be mounted atop an installed closet flange flush with surrounding finished flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: OATEY CO.
    Inventor: Alan Hughes
  • Patent number: RE47898
    Abstract: The disclosure herein is directed toward systems and methods for supporting a person and enabling motion of a person across a surface of snow while satisfying the countervailing requirements of increasing surface area for weight-carrying capacity on soft snow and reducing the opposing forces, like for example drag and friction, in hard snow. More specifically, a snowboard described herein includes an inner edge and an outer edge, and allows the rider to control the amount of board-to-snow contact. This snowboard is configured to improve rider support, increase speed and enhance safety performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Nicholas James Gilson
  • Patent number: RE47927
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure can be used to implement a braided cover comprising a plurality of left handed fibers and a plurality of right-handed fibers braided into a hollow tube of fabric. Such a braided cover may be adapted to form a plurality of annular ridges and annular valleys along the longitudinal length of the braided cover when compressed from an extended length to a compressed length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ragner Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Dean Ragner
  • Patent number: RE48070
    Abstract: A trailer can include an open bed, a frame, an actuator, and a pin. The open bed can extend a width and a length. The frame can support the open bed. The actuator can be mounted on the frame. The pin can be mounted on the frame along a periphery of the open bed. The pin can be drivable by the actuator in reciprocating movement transverse to the length between a first pin end limit of travel defining a refracted retracted position and a second pin end limit of travel defining an extended position. The pin can be recessed from the open bed when in the retracted position and extend above the open bed when in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventors: Floyd K. Clow, Darwin James Sanborn
  • Patent number: RE48104
    Abstract: A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Todd Jongen, Jeffrey Bobroff, Michael Prince, Jeff Mathison, Christian Kulujian, Mark Eyman
  • Patent number: RE48236
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for the performance of tricep dip exercise and the like. The apparatus comprises first and second elongate members, which are adapted to be brought into fixed positional arrangement relative to each other. The first upper end of each member is adapted to be brought into engagement with a substantially horizontal member of a pull up or chin up bar, while the second, lower end of each tubular member is adapted to form, or is conjoined to, a hand grips means grip. The hand grip means is grips are provided in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the main body of the first and second member. A third member is conjoined to the first and second members about their lower ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Kehoe, William McCarthy
  • Patent number: RE48307
    Abstract: Train detection security system and method for detecting a moving train are provided. The train detection security system includes one or more sensor units fixed to a rail of a rail track. The sensor units are arranged for detecting a first signal induced by a moving train and propagated through the rail. The system further includes a control unit including a signal processor arranged for receiving first sensor output signals representing the first signals from each of the one or more sensor units, processing the first sensor output signals and generating a train warning signal representing characteristics of the moving train based on envelope characteristics of the first sensor output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: WAVETRAIN SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Fredrik Lingvall, Tron Danielsen
  • Patent number: RE48321
    Abstract: To provide a rolling bearing in which a favorable antirust performance can be obtained while reducing an amount of antirust oil than before, after removing chloride ions and sulfate ions from the entire surface of the bearing, antirust oil is provided to adhere thereto at an average film thickness of 4.5 ?m to 10 ?m, and the entire bearing is covered with a volatile corrosion inhibitor film such that a space between the volatile corrosion inhibitor film and the bearing is kept in a pressure-reduced condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Kyohei Matsunaga
  • Patent number: RE48337
    Abstract: To provide a rolling bearing in which a favorable antirust performance can be obtained while reducing an amount of antirust oil than before, after removing chloride ions and sulfate ions from the entire surface of the bearing, antirust oil is provided to adhere thereto at an average film thickness of 4.5 ?m to 10 ?m, and the entire bearing is covered with a volatile corrosion inhibitor film such that a space between the volatile corrosion inhibitor film and the bearing is kept in a pressure-reduced condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Kyohei Matsunaga
  • Patent number: RE48427
    Abstract: A discharge device having an actuating handle, a first pump system for conveying a first medium and a second pump system for conveying a second medium. The actuating handle can be moved between an initial position and an end position. The first pump system includes a first pump chamber and a first piston arranged in a displaceable manner in the first pump chamber. The second pump system includes a second pump chamber and a second piston arranged in a displaceable manner in the second pump chamber. The first piston and the second piston can be displaced via the actuating handle in the direction of actuation, and the actuating handle and the first piston are coupled to each other such that the actuating handle and the first piston can be displaced relative to each other in a direction of actuation via a free travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: APTAR RADOLFZELL GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Bruder
  • Patent number: RE48585
    Abstract: A key for use in a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having an elongated key blade with a relatively wide lower portion and a relatively narrow upper portion. A step-like transition region between the wider lower portion and the narrow upper portion. The key blade includes a longitudinal profile groove located adjacent to the step-like transition region that extends along at least a portion of the length of the blade. An inner wall of groove is substantially parallel to a side surface of the lower portion of the key blade. The longitudinal profile groove includes an undercut portion adjacent to and inside a ridge portion of the key blade. The outside of ridge portion forms a part of the side surface of the blade in the relatively wide lower portion up to the step-like transition region and the inside of ridge portion facing inner wall of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: WINLOC AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen