Patents Examined by Steven Wong
  • Patent number: 8231487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bladder for an inflatable ball including structure for receiving an electronic device therein. The structure facilitates at least one of cushioning, positioning, locating, and supporting the electronic device. The structure cushions reaction forces arising from a foot strike to the bladder and/or provides a restoring force to the electronic device subsequent to a foot strike to maintain the device in its predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nurnberg, David John Drury, Timothy David Lucas, Roland G. Seydel
  • Patent number: 8231483
    Abstract: A multi purpose golf tool adapted for repair for pitch mark type depressions in turf of a golf course. The tool employs an angled engagement of a handle and forks to a body to obtain mechanical advantage for forcing turf upward to repair turf depressions. A bottle opener and pop top opener are also provided. The device is also adapted to hold a cigar and to maintain a club shaft in an elevated position above the turf using an arched engagement of a handle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Ryan Douglas Gill
  • Patent number: 8230777
    Abstract: A supplement dispensing closure couplable to an outlet of a container, such as a water container. When the closure is coupled to the container, liquid exiting the container through the outlet flows through a supplement retention area that retains a dissolvable supplement body inside the closure as the liquid flows therethrough and dissolves the dissolvable supplement body. A user may select one or more dissolvable supplement bodies and insert them inside the supplement retention area for dissolution in the liquid as it flows through the supplement retention area. The closure may include a selectively openable and closable cap portion. Optionally, the closure includes a filter configured to filter one or more components from the liquid before or after it flows through the supplement retention area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nutra-Life, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky L. Anson, Rebecca Anson, Shane Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8226086
    Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle is provided with a plurality of inner puzzle pieces defining a complete inner jigsaw puzzle depicting a preselected object, and a plurality of outer puzzle pieces defining a complete outer jigsaw puzzle depicting a frame around an opening having the shape of the preselected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Late for the Sky Productions Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Schulte
  • Patent number: 8220383
    Abstract: A food product slicer with a rotatable slicer knife includes a knife sharpener and a control for providing a timed sharpening operation. The control effects rotation of the slicer knife for a set knife sharpen time period when a knife sharpen input of the slicer is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Rummel, Shahram Shariff
  • Patent number: 8210973
    Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder. The casing may form at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball. The bladder may be located within the casing and formed from a plurality of polymer bladder elements joined along abutting edges to form a sealed and valveless structure that encloses a pressurized gas. In some configurations, the bladder may be at least partially formed from an ether-based thermoplastic polyurethane material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Rapaport, Vincent F. White, Bhupesh Dua
  • Patent number: 8205885
    Abstract: A tiling puzzle having a first two-dimensional portion and a second three-dimensional portion that extends away from the plane of the first two-dimensional portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Mega Brands International, Luxembourg, Zug Branch
    Inventors: Patrick Latour, Martin Pierre, Victor J. Bertrand, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8205886
    Abstract: A didactic skill developing puzzle having a center segment with a first end and a second end, a right side large loop, a right side small loop, a left side large loop, a left side small loop, and at least one continuous loop of material is described herein. The right side large loop can have a first snap connection, and the right side small loop can have a second snap connection. The first snap connection can removeably engage the second snap connection through the first web to form a first connected end. The left side has an identical pair of large and small loops and connections for engaging the second web to form a connected second end. The loops do not touch, and a continuous loop of material with an openable clasp is positioned between the loops allowing a user to experience a three dimensional maze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: James E. Caster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8191468
    Abstract: A cooking utensil having five layer members which includes a first diaphragm member and a second diaphragm member, at least one thermostat set wherein said at least one thermostat set is situated within first layer, at least one heat sensor, wherein said at least one sensor comprises of a liquid which is sensitive to heat, a thermal induction actuator (81), which selectively closes said first diaphragm member and second diaphragm member according to temperature of the outer member of bottom of intermediate member. A hot air passage formed vertically in a part of the circumference between the sidewalls of the outer member and outer member of third layer, which causes the passage of hot air, a cool air passage formed vertically in a part of circumference between the sidewalls of outer member and inner member of second outer member which causes entering of cool air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Javad Malek Azary
  • Patent number: 8192311
    Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing, a restriction structure, and a bladder. The casing forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball. The restriction structure is located within the casing and includes a textile element having a seamless portion with a non-planar configuration. The bladder is also located within the casing. The textile element may be a knitted fabric. Although the restriction structure may be seamless, the restriction structure may also include at most one seam or multiple seams that joins edges of the textile element. In addition, the seamless portion of the textile element may cover at least thirty percent or more of the surface of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent F. White, Geoffrey C. Raynak
  • Patent number: 8191895
    Abstract: A picture puzzle kit is provided for coloring a picture puzzle marked with indicia corresponding to multiple colors. The picture puzzle kit comprises puzzle pieces, color charts, and coloring tools. The puzzle pieces comprise parts of a picture and are marked with indicia corresponding to different colors. The color charts display colors corresponding to the indicia marked on the puzzle pieces. In an embodiment, multiple removable layers are stacked one above the other on each of the puzzle pieces. In another embodiment, an embedded audio assembly is provided in each of the puzzle pieces and the color charts for audibly indicating characteristics of the puzzle pieces and the color charts respectively. The puzzle pieces are linked to assemble the picture puzzle. The coloring tools enable the user to color the puzzle pieces using the colors displayed on the color charts corresponding to the indicia marked on the puzzle pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Anita Jane Gearty
  • Patent number: 8181961
    Abstract: A self-contained three-dimensional puzzle game that has a plurality of free-floating individual puzzle pieces (6) enclosed within a transparent enclosure (8). Puzzle is solved by using a wand (1) to move the individual puzzle pieces and forming the three dimensional solution. Wand is comprised of a rod, which extends through a small hole (4) in the enclosure. One embodiment has the three-dimensional subject solution covered with image graphics (10) so that when the individual pieces are manipulated into the correct positions they bring about an overall composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Louis Hall
  • Patent number: 8182379
    Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing, an intermediate layer, and a bladder. In manufacturing the sport ball, a panel element of the casing and the bladder may be located in a mold, and a polymer foam material of the intermediate layer may be injected into an area between the bladder and the panel element. In addition, edges of panel element may be heatbonded to each other to join the panel elements and form seams of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Rapaport, Vincent F. White, Geoffrey C. Raynak, Mark McNamee
  • Patent number: 8172708
    Abstract: An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF6 is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF6 to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF6 gas, and no air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Tachikara USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Dann Burke
  • Patent number: 8167741
    Abstract: This invention relates to a golf tee extender of a simple but effective structure for repetitive tee shots that does not require re-inserting a new tee into the ground. The golf tee extender for repetitive tee shots comprises a ball support portion for receiving a golf ball thereon, an upper opening for allowing insertion of a golf tee, a hollow body for allowing passage of the golf tee, and a tee head chamber for engaging head of the golf tee therein and securely confining and holding head of the golf tee. The tee head chamber is configured in a shape reverse to the shape of the head of the golf tee to securely engage and confine the head of the golf tee. The tee head chamber comprises a middle opening and a lower opening wherein the middle opening is smaller in diameter than the head of the golf tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Roger E. Murken
  • Patent number: 8162778
    Abstract: A combination turf repair tool and golf club adjustment tool is disclosed herein. One embodiment of the combination tool comprises a turf repair portion connected to a golf club adjustment portion, and a cover portion or cap that is sized to cover at least part of the golf club adjustment portion. The cap or cover portion may be a separate, removable piece, or may be pivotally attached to another part of the tool. Another embodiment of the combination tool comprises a turf repair portion and a golf club adjustment portion, wherein the golf club adjustment portion is pivotally attached to the turf repair portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Augustin W. Rollinson, Craig E. Abbott, Bradley C. Rice
  • Patent number: 8152657
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling a ball and tee may include a body, a clamshell retainer, a biasing assembly, a drive assembly and a handle assembly. The body may include a first opening, a second opening and a chamber, and a handle assembly associated with the second opening of the body. The biasing assembly may be capable of being actuated by the handle assembly. The drive assembly may be capable of being actuated by the biasing assembly. The clamshell retainer may be associated with the second opening of the body. The clamshell retainer may have a pair of clasping members movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively carry the golf ball and a portion of the golf tee between the pair of clasping members. The pair of clasping members may be moved between the open position and the closed position based on actuation of the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Charles W. Green
  • Patent number: 8152664
    Abstract: A football comprising an inflatable bladder integrally molded with raised areas which are intended to be exposed, and exterior panels which are adhered to the bladder to span the spaces between them. The raised areas or ridges are formed to extend outward from the exterior panels and provide a raised grip area. By bonding the exterior panels to the bladder directly, stitching and lacing are eliminated to simplify construction and manufacture. The football is provided with a plurality of raised areas to provide more grip areas than the single lace area of a traditional football. Each of the raised ridges are contoured to more closely follow the shape of a thrower's hand as it grasps the ball and thereby providing greater contact area and better control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Madore, Ian R. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 8142311
    Abstract: A football having a generally prolate spheroidal shape and opposing first and second ends. The football includes a bladder, a cover and a lacing coupled to the cover. The cover is disposed over the bladder and defines, at least in part, a first set of channels extending generally longitudinally from at or near the first end of the football to at or near the second end of the football. The cover is formed of at least one cover panel. The cover has an outer surface and includes a plurality of outwardly projecting ridges configured to facilitate grasping and throwing of the football. The height of the ridge is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Krysiak
  • Patent number: 8141876
    Abstract: A soccer ball assembly (10) includes a central mounting core (14) defining thirty-two holes and thirty-two construction elements which are mountable to the central mounting core in an arrangement wherein the construction elements extend radially outwardly therefrom. Twenty of the constructions are hexagonal elements (18) which are hexagonal in cross-section and twelve are pentagonal elements (16) which are pentagonal in cross-section. Each construction element has a spigot formation at an inner end thereof which fits into a different one of the holes in the mounting core (14). In the fully assembled condition, the soccer ball assembly resembles a soccer ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Scarlet Ibis Investments 53 (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Peter Humphreys, Cornelius Frederik Van Der Nest