Patents Examined by Tania Courson
  • Indicator device and method
    Patent number: 10871405
    Abstract: An indicator device including a protective layer, an optically reflective layer, a polymeric material layer disposed between and coupling the protective layer to the optically reflective layer, and a dye disposed within the polymeric material layer, the dye being sensitive to external stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Paul G. Vahey
  • Tape rule assembly with differential spring-drive systems
    Patent number: 10870555
    Abstract: A tape rule assembly includes differential spring-drive systems for rotating a reel of tape through an angular distance different from the angular distance traveled by a hub carrying a wound spring, relative to the tape rule housing. The differential spring drive systems include planetary and cycloidal drive systems. The tape rules of the present invention are thus made more compact than conventional tape rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Orsini, Keith M. Lombardi, Bruce Eidinger
  • Impact sensor
    Patent number: 10866259
    Abstract: An impact sensor has a hollow container with a spring extending therethrough. A liquid is present in the cavity. The spring biases opposing valve balls to a closed position, preventing dye that is located exterior of the cavity from entering the cavity. When a force applied to the sensor exceeds a first predetermined value, the spring is compressed or displaced, allowing at least one of the valve balls to move from the closed position to an open position, thereby allowing the dye at the moving valve ball to pass into the cavity, mixing with the liquid and providing a visual indication of the exceeded force upon the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Tozuda, LLC
    Inventors: Jessica Noel Garcia, Christopher Daniel Basilico
  • Seat belt tension indicator
    Patent number: 10857916
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to child safety seats, and more particularly to a harness or belt tensioning indicator for a child safety seat harness system. The tension indicator includes a body portion for receiving a belt, harness or webbing. The tension indicator also includes a sliding indicator that is capable of moving from a first, unactuated position to a second, actuated position when the belt, harness or webbing that is received in the body portion is tensioned from a first tension to a second, correct tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Chad Glerum
  • Miniaturized illuminated pointer for instrument cluster
    Patent number: 10859414
    Abstract: An illuminable pointer assembly for an instrument panel includes a transparent or translucent base, a transparent or translucent pointer blade, and a hub mounted on the base and supporting the pointer blade. The assembly is miniaturized or capable of being miniaturized by integrating reflectors into a lower surface of the pointer blade to internally reflect light propagated upwardly through the base in a lateral direction to uniformly illuminate the pointer blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: N.S. International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sibing Xu, Anshuman Mittal, Arul Krishna
  • Sample handling system
    Patent number: 10852314
    Abstract: A sample processing system is configured for analyzing, preprocessing, or carrying out other operations for a biological sample such as blood or urea. With the sample processing system, it is possible to store samples to be stored in a thermally insulated state or specimens required for accuracy control in the thermally insulated state for preventing evaporation or denaturing of the samples and specimens. Also it is possible to carry in or out the samples, rack by rack, according to necessity. Further, the sample processing system is provided with a buffer unit in a cold container having a capability for cold storage and also by accessing a sample rack at random for carrying in or out a rack with a transfer mechanism provided outside of the cold container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuniaki Onizawa, Koichi Obari, Junichi Oizumi, Shigemi Oba, Tetsuaki Abe
  • Parallel and square alignment tool
    Patent number: 10843368
    Abstract: An alignment tool is disclosed for connection to a work component and for use in aligning the work component with a work piece to establish a repeatable set up for cutting or routing of the work piece, and wherein the alignment tool provides for parallel and square alignment of the work component relative to first and second edges of the work piece that are perpendicular to each other. Use of the parallel and square alignment tool aligns the work component for an operation parallel to the second edge of the work piece and the operation may be conveniently repeated on further work pieces without need to measure and mark the work pieces. Optional use of first and second parallel and square alignment tools along opposed second and third edges of a work piece that are perpendicular to a first edge provides for greater accuracy for operations having a greater length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TSO PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Adolf Hans Friedebach, William D. Heidt
  • System for tracking glove failure
    Patent number: 10806196
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying areas of a processing plant in which a glove is damaged. The system includes utilizing color-coded sets of gloves in different areas or processing steps within the plant. All the gloves used in a particular plant are provided with a unique identifier. If a piece of a glove is located in the product within the plant, the color of that piece indicates the area or process of the plant in which the glove was used. If a piece of a damaged glove is located in the product at a remote destination, the unique identifier in that piece is matched with a registry to determine the plant in which the glove was used. The color of the piece then helps the plant to identify where the damaged glove was used. The system and method are particularly helpful in the food processing industry, especially meat processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Summit Glove Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Hull
  • Package handling system
    Patent number: 10807783
    Abstract: Disclosed is a package handling system comprising: an indicator designed to display a mishandling indication upon application of a force in excess of a predetermined threshold force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Reuben Bahar
  • Universal fire alarm reflective system
    Patent number: 10810913
    Abstract: A system and method of communication with first responders includes a reflective device and coupling the reflective device to a surface of a dwelling. The reflective device is indicative of at least one of occupants of the dwelling and hazardous materials disposed within the dwelling. A fireman or paramedic may shine there light and determine what type of occupants are in the building and if there are any hazardous materials to be concerned about.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Nicolas Gonchar
  • Apparatus and method for deterring pets from medication containers
    Patent number: 10800586
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for deterring pets or other animals from biting or chewing into medication containers. In some embodiments, the invention consists of two or more conductive metal sheets or strips in layers around the side of the container, which are wired to complete a circuit when pressed by the force of an animal's bite or touched by an animal's tongue. In some embodiments, the sheets or strips are spaced or held apart so that a normal human grip would not have sufficient force to complete the circuit. In some embodiments, the device slides onto the medication container with a friction fit, and is removable for use on future containers. In some embodiments, the circuit includes a battery-powered alarm to deter the animal. In other embodiments, the circuit delivers a mild electrical shock to the animal's mouth or tongue through the metal strips or sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventors: Eric Jon Voth, Jason Andrew Voth, Joseph William Nelson, Christopher Ronald Nelson, Justin Yong Lim, Karis Yong Hee Lim, Andrew Nicholas Dillner, Norah Elizabeth Dillner, Scott Eric Simenson
  • Remotely activated telescoping flagpole with AC and/or DC voltage
    Patent number: 10801229
    Abstract: The present invention is a remotely activated flag pole that raises and lowers a flag automatically and stores a flag within the hollow flag pole assembly when the flag is lowered. The flag pole includes a cap that lowers into place over the flag receiving section as the flag is lowered and allows the stored flag to remain dry and out of the weather when the flag is in its lowered stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Donald A. George, Sr.
  • Space saving device
    Patent number: 10792551
    Abstract: A space saving device. The space saving device includes a housing having a front side and a rear side. A plurality of display screens are disposed on the front side, each capable of displaying a number corresponding to a workout tracking function, such as a number of repetitions of an exercise. A plurality of controls disposed on the front side can be used to control the output of the displays. A fastener disposed on the rear side and an attached lanyard allow the device to be removably attached to an exercise machine or other object. A grip material is disposed about a perimeter of the housing for facilitating easy handling of the device. The space saving device is configured to be removably attached to an exercise machine in an exercise facility to inform other users of the facility that the machine is currently occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Robbie Green, Jr.
  • Flagpole having decorative sporting equipment section
    Patent number: 10787833
    Abstract: The flagpole having decorative sporting equipment section comprises a pole that incorporates a decorative section into its design. The decorative section is functional because it substitutes for a portion of the pole and provides elevation for a flag. The decorative section may be the topmost portion of the flagpole or it may divide the pole into an upper pole and a lower pole with the decorative section in the middle. The flagpole having decorative sporting equipment section may provide a path through the center of the flagpole for a portion of the halyard to travel. The decorative section may be designed to resemble a sporting object such as a lever rifle. A section of the rifle resembling a gun sight may comprise a light source to provide illumination for the flag at night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: George Apel
  • Instantaneous and time-lapse fluid-flow contaminant indicator
    Patent number: 10775312
    Abstract: A fluid-flow contaminant indicator includes a container having a fluid-flow path having an upstream region and a downstream region. A colorimetric indicator, disposed in the fluid-flow path, has a surface adapted to change color when exposed to a contaminant of interest. The colorimetric indicator has at least one hole passing there through such that the fluid-flow path extends through the hole(s) in the colorimetric indicator. A fluid-impervious mask is adhered to all of the colorimetric indicator's surface except for a region of the surface that is adjacent to the hole(s) in the colorimetric indicator wherein this region is exposed to the upstream region of the fluid-flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Tesfa-Michael Tekleab
  • Straight edge bar with clamp and spreader
    Patent number: 10751856
    Abstract: A straight edge bar clamp spreader comprises a straight edge bar, an inner channel portion, parallel channel portions, and two-way bosses or divots, a clamp, and a clamp-spreader. The inner channel portion is provided along an elongated central region of the bottom surface of the straight edge bar with a constant cross-section. The parallel channel portions are provided along two elongated parallel regions of the top surface of the straight edge bar. The two-way bosses or divots are provided across and on an inner surface of the inner channel portion of the bottom surface and an outer surface of the top surface and configured to define the predetermined stopping positions for two-way movements along the bottom surface or the top surface. The clamp is installed in the inner channel portion of the bottom surface. The clamp-spreader is installed in the pair of parallel channel portions of the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Eugene Emerson
  • Traffic cone
    Patent number: 10745871
    Abstract: A traffic cone is provided. The traffic cone includes a triangular base with feet coupled to a bottom side of the triangular base. The traffic cone further includes a cone body having eight surfaces forming an octagonal cone shape coupled to the triangular base, wherein the cone body extends from a top side of the triangular base. Additionally, the traffic cone includes at least one reflective member coupled around a perimeter of the cone body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Terry Utz
  • Climate change reducing malodorous composition of matter and warning system
    Patent number: 10744359
    Abstract: A climate change reducing malodorous composition of matter that contains a liquid mercaptan mixed with a solvent, trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene, and a flame suppression component, trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and with an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide under pressure in a container for introduction into a pressurized breathing or pneumatic tool system, such as in mines, thereby forming a warning system to warn a person of danger when the malodorous composition of matter is released from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Pottier, Jason Smith
  • Mounting tool for linear displacement measuring apparatus
    Patent number: 10746574
    Abstract: There is provided a mounting tool, for a linear displacement measuring apparatus, which is capable of reducing thermal stress of a scale housing case and is detachable while having a simple structure. The mounting tool includes a cylindrical bush inserted into a through hole drilled in the scale housing case, an O-ring interposed between an inside wall of the through hole and the bush, a mounting screw inserted into a cylindrical hole of the bush and screwed into a mounting face, and a plate spring arranged between a head part of the mounting screw and an outside face of the scale housing case, and biasing the scale housing case toward the mounting face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushi Kikuchi, Takashi Gohma
  • Apparatuses, systems, and methods for detection of tampering
    Patent number: 10722680
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for detecting tampering are disclosed. The methods, apparatuses and systems for detecting tampering can involve positioning at least a portion of one or more ingress/egress line having a first end and a second end in a clamping box configured to provide detection of tampering; and detecting tampering by observing the clamping box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew M. Mench, Matthew A. Young, Chad Duty