Patents Examined by Steven Wong
  • Interactive brainteaser puzzle
    Patent number: 8136815
    Abstract: An interactive brainteaser puzzle which includes a circular base having a central recess, a raised collar about the central recess, a raised rim about the periphery, a plurality equally spaced radial lines extending between the raised collar and the raised rim to form a plurality of wedge shaped spaces thereabout and a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is located in one wedge shaped space. A plurality of pegs is provided, wherein each peg is of a size to removably fit into the central recess and any of one of the apertures. A plurality of wedge shaped plates are also provided, wherein each wedge shaped plate is of a size to extend between the raised collar and the raised rim to manually slide within the circular base and stop on any one of the wedge shaped spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Vinh Van
  • Panel configuration for a game ball
    Patent number: 8133139
    Abstract: A game ball, which may be a soccer ball or a variety of other types of ball. The game ball includes a plurality of pentagonal panels, with each of the pentagonal panels having five convex edges. The game ball also includes a plurality of hexagonal panels, with each of the hexagonal panels having three substantially linear edges and three concave edges. The pentagonal panels and the hexagonal panels are connected along abutting concave edges and convex edges, and the hexagonal panels are connected each other along abutting linear edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Avis, Chris S. Page, Geoffrey C. Raynak
  • Sportsball with improved spiral rotation
    Patent number: 8128523
    Abstract: A sportsball, such as a football, is preferentially constructed to enhance spiral rotation when thrown or kicked, allowing enhanced stability and distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Russell Asset Management, Inc., SGG Patents LLC
    Inventors: Ronald P. Laliberty, Michael W. Maziarz
  • Carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene latex seamless bladder and a process for manufacturing thereof
    Patent number: 8123639
    Abstract: A soft seamless acrylonitrile bladder having excellent air permeability combined with good bounce characteristics for inflatable balls obtained by latex dipping process. The said process involves dipping hot molds in a coagulant bath of calcium nitrate and water and later dipping the dried, coagulant coated formers in a compounded latex bath of carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene latex, the dip being single or multiple depending upon the desired wall thickness. The said latex dipping process allows low manufacturing cost, high productivity and low rejection rate bladders having uniform weight varying from 500 mg/inch2 to 1.5 g/inch2, modulus varying from 17 to 20 Kg/Cm2, tensile strength of 150-180 Kg/Cm2 and elongation at break 650-750%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Paradise Rubber Industries
    Inventors: Prem Nath Magon, Ashwani Magon
  • High bounce structure: sky ball
    Patent number: 8123638
    Abstract: A play ball having a high bounce capacity of at least 20 vertical feet and as much as 50 or 75 vertical feet is formed of a solid, elastomer thermoplastic polyurethane having a wall thickness of 3-5 mm, containing gas at a pressure preferably greater than 0.65 kfg/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Multi-dimensional puzzle
    Patent number: 8113518
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional puzzle is formed from a first jigsaw puzzle made from a first set of inter-fitting puzzle pieces and a second jigsaw puzzle made from a second set of inter-fitting puzzle pieces. The second jigsaw puzzle is mounted above the first jigsaw puzzle through the use of platforms positioned on mounting blocks, thus creating a spaced relationship between the first jigsaw puzzle and the second jigsaw puzzle and giving the multi-dimensional puzzle a three-dimensional look.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence I. Rosen
  • Kitchen appliance for heating foodstuff
    Patent number: 8109201
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance for heating foodstuff includes a container defining a heating cavity therein. The container is positioned on a supporting surface during heating of the foodstuff. The kitchen appliance further includes a utensil for manipulating the foodstuff. The utensil has a first and opposite second end. A tray is slidably positioned within a portion of the container. The tray is movable between a storage position in which the tray is substantially within the container and a use position in which the tray is at least partially removed from the container. The tray has a concave portion on a top surface thereof. The concave portion is sized and shaped to support at least a portion of the first end of the utensil above the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David Schandel, Cuong Truong
  • Golf tee with a connecting wire and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 8092321
    Abstract: A golf tee with a connecting wire includes a tee and a connecting wire. The tee has a nail rod and a ball holding portion connected with a top of the nail rod. The ball holding portion has a groove formed in a top thereof and a connecting slot formed in one side thereof. The connecting slot includes an opening portion, a passage portion and a fixing portion. One end of the connecting wire passes through the opening portion and the passage portion of the connecting slot into the fixing portion and forms a blocked portion which is located in the groove, so that the end of the connecting wire is connected with the tee. The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a golf tee with a connecting wire. Accordingly, the connection and assembling between the connecting wire and the tee can be attained easily, firmly, and rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Shu-Yuan Chiang Huang
  • Sheet-like object for ball and ball
    Patent number: 8092324
    Abstract: Provided are: a sheet-like ball material including a fibrous base material, and an elastic polymer cover layer that is laminated on a surface of the fibrous base material, in which continuous pebbles and discontinuous valleys are formed on a surface of the cover layer, the valleys discontinuously formed are formed at average intervals of 0.5 to 3 mm, the valley has a depth of 50 to 500 ?m, a vertical projected area of each valley is 1 to 5 mm2, and a total area of the vertical projected area of each valley accounts for 3 to 30% relative to a surface area of the elastic polymer cover layer; a ball used for volleyball or beach volleyball including the sheet-like ball material, which is excellent in the controllability for all types of ball plays such as tossing and serving in the smoothness of the attenuation degree in the ball speed of the ball during flight of the ball, and in the design, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Kuraray Co., Ltd., Mikasa Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ashida, Koki Ogata, Yoshiaki Yasuda, Taketoshi Saeki
  • Spatial puzzle apparatus
    Patent number: 8087671
    Abstract: A spatial puzzle apparatus is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of puzzle blocks 102 which has a general pyramid shape, and a void 124 which is configured to receive one of the plurality of puzzle blocks 102. A spherical housing 104 is used to house the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 and the void 124. The spherical housing 104 is configured to circumscribe the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 so that the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 and the void 124 define and retain the shape of a cube 106 as the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 are caused to rotate about a common axis to change positions via the void 124 to solve the puzzle. A virtual form of the spatial puzzle apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Pantazis Constantine Houlis
  • Helmet-shape jigsaw puzzle
    Patent number: 8083233
    Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle is provided with a plurality of inner puzzle pieces defining a complete inner puzzle depicting a preselected object, and a plurality of outer puzzle pieces defining a complete outer puzzle depicting a frame around an opening having the shape of the preselected object. In another aspect of the jigsaw puzzle, the plurality of inner puzzle pieces collectively form a first image on a front face and the plurality of outer puzzle pieces collective form a frame image on a front face, while the inner and outer puzzle pieces collectively form a second image on a back face of the puzzle pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Late For The Sky Productions Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Schulte
  • Set of golf tees
    Patent number: 8083615
    Abstract: A set of golf tees that includes at least a low spin golf tee and a high spin golf tee. The low spin golf tee is constructed in a manner to provide decreased resistance to the deformation of a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while resting on the low spin golf tee. The high spin golf tee is constructed in a manner to provide increased resistance to the deformation of a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while resting on the high spin golf tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Wood, Gregory J. Swartz
  • Golf ball marker
    Patent number: 8083616
    Abstract: A golf ball marker that includes a body having a geometric shape and an arcuate ball location reference for easily positioning a golf ball. The body may also include alignment indicia for aligning the golf ball with an intended ball path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Puzzle for the physically or visually impaired
    Patent number: 8074989
    Abstract: A puzzle, including a closed perimeter including a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes on a segment upper surface raised indicia different than the raised indicia present on any other segment, and a plurality of uniquely shaped game pieces. The game pieces include: segment intersection pieces each including on an intersection piece upper surface the raised indicia of two segments against which the segment intersection piece rests; edge pieces each including on an edge piece upper surface the raised indicia of a segment against which each edge piece rests; and inner pieces including an inner piece indicator to indicate an upright orientation. The uniquely shaped game pieces assemble together in only one way to form an assembled puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Donald F. Bassett
  • Puzzle with three dimensional representation of geographic area
    Patent number: 8074988
    Abstract: A puzzle kit for assembly into a three dimensional representation of a geographic region includes first pieces that form a first layer, second pieces that form a second layer on top of the first layer, and structure pieces mounted on the first and/or second layers. The first and second layers can include retaining elements for retaining the structure pieces. The retaining elements can take the form of voids. The first layer can include image elements visible through the voids of the second layer, and the image elements can include indicia to match the voids with the structure pieces. The first pieces can include anchoring pieces that are elevated and interlock with the second layer. The structure pieces can be sequentially assembled on the first and/or second layers according to an index. The assembled puzzle can represent a city, and the structure pieces can represent buildings within the city.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Shaun Sunt Sakdinan
  • Three dimensional geometric puzzle
    Patent number: 8061713
    Abstract: Disclosed is a geometric puzzle comprising a plurality of three-dimensional components of at least one type, each component of the same type being derived by notionally dividing a fundamental shape into a plurality of equal parts, said fundamental shape being selected from the group consisting of a regular tetrahedron having edges of equal length and a regular pyramid with a square base and also having edges of equal length, said components being capable of assembly into multiple composite shapes. Each component may be equal and identical to one another or each pair of components may comprise mirror images of one another. Surfaces of said components may be provided attractive magnetic elements to hold said components in a composite shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: TBL Sustainability Group Inc.
    Inventor: C. Roger Cook
  • Golf ball marker
    Patent number: 8057326
    Abstract: The golf ball marker has a top side contoured and textured to represent a portion of an actual golf course and a flat bottom side. The flat bottom side has an indicia-receiving surface portion. The top bottom sides are separated by a perimeter that is shaped to enclose representations of the terrains of the portion of the actual golf course. The contoured top side may bear a name of the portion of the actual golf course in lettering, with or without a panel. The lettering is preferably proximate to the perimeter and arranged conformally to the shape thereof. The lettering may be cut in relief. A coupling, which does not extend below the bottom side, is optional. A decoration in or representing the golf hole on the green may be provided. The golf ball marker may be manufactured based on digital data either provided by or selected by the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Woodbury
  • Toy apparatus with rattle
    Patent number: 8052552
    Abstract: A toy apparatus having a surface is provided. The toy apparatus may include a mesh including a plurality of loop structures having cooperative mating surfaces disposed at least partially around an outer perimeter of each loop structure. The plurality of loop structures may have curved inside perimeter surfaces, and the cooperative mating surfaces of adjacent loop structures may be configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The loop structures form the surface of the toy when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other. The toy apparatus may further include a rattle positioned in a loop structure in the mesh, the rattle having a body with a mounting structure having an outer perimeter sized to conform to the curved inside perimeter surface of the loop structure in which the rattle is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Got I, LLC
    Inventor: David E. Silverglate
  • Game ball optimally positioned grooves and/or ridges
    Patent number: 8047937
    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 has an outer surface defining a plurality of grooves configured to facilitate grasping and throwing of the football. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm. The width and depth of the grooves is sufficiently sized to receive a portion of one or more fingertips of a user. At least one of the grooves is positioned near the first or second end of the football.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods, Co.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Krysiak
  • Ball-shaped puzzle
    Patent number: 8042812
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a supporting frame, a plurality of swiveling pieces, and a plurality of movable pieces, and the above elements are constructed with each other into a sphere shape; the supporting frame disposes a first supporting stem and a second supporting stem; each swiveling piece has a top face formed in a regular polygon and a blocker located at the side thereof, and the swiveling piece installed on an extremity of the first supporting stem or the second supporting stem via a limited nail; each movable piece has a top face formed in a regular polygon, a locking portion disposed thereon, a limited portion disposed thereon, and a toothed portion disposed thereon. Accordingly, the present invention facilitates to attain a logical configuration with lower manufacturing costs and an easy mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Shengrong Gao