Patents Examined by Teri Pham Luu
  • Pet operated ball thrower
    Patent number: 7114465
    Abstract: A pet operated ball thrower including a base, a fulcrum post attached at its lower end to the base, a throw arm pivotally attached to the upper end of the fulcrum post, a ball receiving receptacle attached to the throw arm adjacent its outer end, a treadle pivotally attached at its lower end to the base, and an attachment member pivotally attached at its lower end to the treadle and pivotally attached at its upper end to the throw arm. A pet is trained to jump on the treadle to cause the outer end of the throw arm and attached ball receiving receptacle to be rapidly moved upwardly, thereby tossing the ball from the receptacle into the air for retrieval. The pet is trained to replace the retrieved ball into the receptacle, thereby allowing repeated tossing and retrieving of the ball by the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Dana S. Winter
  • Apparatus for dispensing fluid into a tree
    Patent number: 7114289
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluid is disclosed. A fluid contained in a canister is pressurized by a moveable partition driven by spring means mounted within the canister. The canister is mated to an injection nozzle to allow fluid flow from the canister though the nozzle and possibly into a body to be provided with fluid. A preferred embodiment of the dispensing apparatus is for dispensing fluid or treatment chemicals into trees and plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Bio Forest Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Black, Joe Meating
  • Method for raising aquatic animals
    Patent number: 7114461
    Abstract: A method of culturing aquatic animals utilizes a habitat including at least one habitat unit, each habitat unit being constructed of a plurality of concentric tubes with a fixed radial spacing. The habitat is immersed in an aquatic environment containing larvae of aquatic animals to be raised so that the larvae settle on the habitat, the aquatic animals are fed until the animals grow to a desired size, and the cultured animals are then harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Winterlab Limited
    Inventor: Henry D. Stence, Jr.
  • Nonslip article for a stirrup
    Patent number: 7114315
    Abstract: A stirrup includes a footrest as well as a hanger for suspending the stirrup from a saddle. A shock absorber is provided for the footrest and has protrusions which impart a nonslip character to the shock absorber. The protrusions have respective ends which face away from the shock absorber, and each of these ends is formed with a concavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Eastwest International (Taiwan) Enterprises
    Inventor: Chia Wei Chang
  • Intensity variation device for training animals
    Patent number: 7111586
    Abstract: An apparatus for an animal training device including audible and electrical stimulation. A transmitting unit provides control signals to a receiving unit, which includes a receiver, a processor, and a switch connected to a transformer and electrodes. The processor provides signals that result in varying voltages that produce electrical pulses of varying voltage levels, which are applied at the electrodes and provide electrical stimulation of an animal for training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Brandon Lee, Rungwit Sangsingkeow
  • Lobster trap
    Patent number: 7111427
    Abstract: A lobster trap having at least two lobster feeding chambers separated from one another with no direct or indirect access from one lobster feeding chamber to the other(s), each lobster feeding chamber having a lobster trap head to the exterior of the lobster trap and a centrally disposed bait well accessible to each lobster feeding chamber, such lobster trap characterized by the lack of a parlor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gaughen, Michael W. Gaughen
  • Pyrotechnic detonator with an igniter support of plastic with an integrated metal insert
    Patent number: 7111558
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic detonator with an igniter support of plastic, which bears an ignition element. A cylindrical metal housing is fastened to the igniter support, into which the ignition reaches. A booster charge is arranged in the metal housing. To improve seal tightness and lower the manufacturing costs, for mechanical support a metal insert is integrated into the igniter support, the metal insert being encased by the plastic of the igniter support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Brede, Eduard Berenz, Anton Bretfeld, Harald Frank, Jurgen Knauss
  • Paw cleaning device
    Patent number: 7111585
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low cost paw cleaning device, which is capable of effectively washing an animal's paws, to prevent the tracking of dirt and mud through one's home. The device includes a basin, formed of plastic or rubber, for retaining a support layer and cleaning fluid. A permeable absorbent cover retained by the rim of the basin adjoins an upper portion of the support layer. As an animal walks across the device, the animal's paws contact the cover and compress or displace the support layer, thereby causing the cover and the support layer to conform with the crevices and contours of the animal's paws and locally moisten the animal's paws to remove dirt and debris therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventors: Mary M. Hale, Peter G. Duquet
  • Pet chew toy with integrally-formed flavor pockets
    Patent number: 7107938
    Abstract: A pet chew toy includes an animal skin substrate having first and second opposing major surfaces. At least one of the major surfaces defines a pattern of surface impressions. A flavor coating is applied to the substrate, and resides within interstices created by the surface impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Van H. Brown
  • Poultry feeder
    Patent number: 7107932
    Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • Hydrogen-fueled spacecraft
    Patent number: 7108228
    Abstract: A spacecraft having facilities for carrying astronauts and payloads into the earth satellite orbit and space having a composite fiber body with a Kevlar exterior skin. Said craft having a substantially round shape with a portion covered with solar cells. Said solar cells powering electrical motors and a plurality of rockets using a quantity of hydrogen fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Manfred Marshall
  • Process and rotary milking parlor for the identification of a milking stall and an animal, in particular a cow, in a rotary milking parlor
    Patent number: 7104218
    Abstract: For the determination of the occupancy of a milking stall by an animal, in particular a cow, in a rotary milking parlor with a plurality of milking stalls which are disposed on a rotatable milking platform, a process is proposed in which the identification of the animal only takes place after it has entered the milking stall in which it is supposed to be milked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Teckentrup, Manfred Pohlkamp
  • Bendable fishers lure with method of manufacture and assembly
    Patent number: 7104004
    Abstract: A fishers lure including a spine having a first eye on a first end of the spine adapted to attach a fishing line and a second end on spine adapted to receive a hook. A flexible body surrounding the spine such that the first eye protrudes from the front of the flexible body. A fisher can bend the spine and flexible body into a bent shape and the spine will retain the shape and hold the body in the bent shape. The bent shape will give the lure unique movement in the water that can be adjusted by the fisher re-bending the spine. The flexible body further includes a holographic film that can be molded into the body. A method of forming a plurality of lures from a single mold operation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph Francis Renosky
  • Seat mounting rail, particularly for a commercial aircraft
    Patent number: 7100885
    Abstract: A seat mounting rail for securing seats to a floor of a passenger aircraft is made of a seat securing upper section and a rail mounting lower section. Both sections are made of different metals. The upper section is made of a titanium alloy for corrosion protection. The lower rail section is made of an aluminum alloy for weight reduction. The interconnection between the two sections is made as a thermal joint for example formed as a laser weld, which is preferably a butt weld to save welding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Zerner
  • Poultry feeder
    Patent number: 7100533
    Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • Three-axis attitude control propulsion device and flying object comprising the same
    Patent number: 7102113
    Abstract: A three-axis attitude control propulsion device and a flying object like a rocket including the device are provided in which combustion gas for attitude control can be efficiently used. A three-axis attitude control propulsion device 4, having six nozzles has a motor case 6 and three-way discharge changeover valves 10, 10? of a valve plug rotation type enabling a changeover of a flow passage by rotation of the valve plug. Combustion gas 18 is generated by combustion of propellant 8 in the motor case 6. The three-axis attitude control propulsion device is operated so that one or two of the nozzles are opened to thereby discharge the combustion gas 18 and the remaining five or four nozzles are fully closed. Thereby, a three-axis attitude control of pitch control, roll control and yaw control, and control of a neutral state, can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Fujita, Shozo Hidaka
  • Pet waste collection apparatus
    Patent number: 7096823
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for collecting pet feces includes a basin having oppositely spaced edge portions, a planar bottom surface and a pair of oppositely disposed flange portions protruding outwardly. A housing is mounted on top of the basin and includes integral and opaque sidewalls protruding upwardly from the basin. One sidewall has a passageway formed therein. The housing further includes a grass-like top layer positionable on a mesh-like bottom layer. The apparatus further includes wire handles having lower end portions positionable below the top layer and engageable therewith and top end portions protruding upwardly from the sidewalls. The sidewalls allow a user to maintain a substantially stable grip of the top layer when removing the solid feces during non-operating conditions. The handle lower end portions have generally L-shapes for traversing upwardly and rearwardly through the bottom layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Smeltzer
  • Pet toys incorporating multiple hardness sections
    Patent number: 7096826
    Abstract: A molded pet toy includes sections or layers of various hardnesses. The pet toy may be constructed through known injection molding, transfer, or compression molding processes. The layers and sections typically have varying hardnesses which facilitates use of the pet toy for a specific purpose. For use as a pet toy, an optimal arrangement provides that the outermost section or layer is of a lower hardness, while the inner sections or layers have a higher hardness. Durability of the pet toy is increased through the molding process which prevents separation between the layers. The pet toy is preferably shaped aerodynamically so it may be easily thrown by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Combination training lead and multiple animal leash
    Patent number: 7096827
    Abstract: A combination training lead and multiple animal leash comprising, a leash-forming strap having a handle at a first end thereof and having at least two branches at a second end thereof with a snap connector carried by each of the branches and including a D-ring attached to the leash-forming strap, intermediate its first and second ends, and adapted to interconnect with one of the snap connectors to form a second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph S. Sporn
  • Launch and recovery system for unmanned aerial vehicles
    Patent number: 7097137
    Abstract: A method of launching and retrieving a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) (10). The preferred method of launch involves carrying the UAV (10) up to altitude using a parasail (8) similar to that used to carry tourists aloft. The UAV is dropped and picks up enough airspeed in the dive to perform a pull-up into level controlled flight. The preferred method of recovery is for the UAV to fly into and latch onto the parasail tow line (4) or cables hanging off the tow line and then be winched back down to the boat (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Aerospace Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. McDonnell