Patents Examined by William C. Doerrler
  • Patent number: 11691559
    Abstract: A torque load binder for changing tension in a chain or strap securing a load to a vehicle or support surface. The load binder includes a housing with an internal gear mechanism and a connector mechanism operatively engaged with the gear mechanism and extending outwardly from the housing. A high speed first driveshaft and a lower speed second driveshaft on the load binder are selectively individually actuated to effect movement between first and second end linkages of the connector mechanism. The first driveshaft effects movement between the first and second end linkages at a first speed and the second driveshaft effects movement between the end linkages at a lower second speed. Rotation of either of the first or second driveshafts actuates the connector mechanism, changing the distance between the first and second end linkages, and thereby changing the tension in the tie-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WALLYXCR, LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Helline
  • Patent number: RE49448
    Abstract: Methods and systems for integral storage and blending of the materials used in oilfield operations are disclosed. A modular integrated material blending and storage system includes a first module comprising a storage unit, a second module comprising a liquid additive storage unit and a pump for maintaining pressure at an outlet of the liquid additive storage unit. The system further includes a third module comprising a pre-gel blender. An output of each of the first module, the second module and the third module is located above a blender and gravity directs the contents of the first module, the second module and the third module to the blender. The system also includes a pump that directs the output of the blender to a desired down hole location. The pump may be powered by natural gas or electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard R. Case, Ed B. Hagan, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Ron Hyden
  • Patent number: RE49456
    Abstract: Methods and systems for integral storage and blending of the materials used in oilfield operations are disclosed. A modular integrated material blending and storage system includes a first module comprising a storage unit, a second module comprising a liquid additive storage unit and a pump for maintaining pressure at an outlet of the liquid additive storage unit. The system further includes a third module comprising a pre-gel blender. An output of each of the first module, the second module and the third module is located above a blender and gravity directs the contents of the first module, the second module and the third module to the blender. The system also includes a pump that directs the output of the blender to a desired down hole location. The pump may be powered by natural gas or electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard R. Case, Ed B. Hagan, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Ron Hyden
  • Patent number: RE49457
    Abstract: Methods and systems for integral storage and blending of the materials used in oilfield operations are disclosed. A modular integrated material blending and storage system includes a first module comprising a storage unit, a second module comprising a liquid additive storage unit and a pump for maintaining pressure at an outlet of the liquid additive storage unit. The system further includes a third module comprising a pre-gel blender. An output of each of the first module, the second module and the third module is located above a blender and gravity directs the contents of the first module, the second module and the third module to the blender. The system also includes a pump that directs the output of the blender to a desired down hole location. The pump may be powered by natural gas or electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard R. Case, Ed B. Hagan, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Ron Hyden
  • Patent number: RE49476
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle comprising: a hydrogen tank which is mounted on the vehicle so as to have a center axis generally parallel to a front/rear direction of the vehicle; a high-voltage electric component which is positioned either forward or rearward of the hydrogen tank and which operates on high voltage; an aftercooler placed between the hydrogen tank and the high-voltage electric component to cool compressed air; and a fuel cell stack which is supplied with the cooled compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuji Aishima
  • Patent number: RE49494
    Abstract: A system processes seeds that are present in crop material. The system includes a first shearing surface, a second shearing surface arranged opposite the first shearing surface, and a clearance between the first shearing surface and the second shearing surface. The system passes crop material between the first and second shearing surfaces, where the crop material contacts the shearing surfaces as it passes through the shearing surfaces. Contact with the first and second shearing surfaces damages seeds that are present in the crop material. The system can be installed in an agricultural harvester to damage seeds that are present in crop residue to prevent the seeds from germinating after the crop residue is discharged from the agricultural harvester back into the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Blue Leaf I.P., Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Martin J. Roberge, Jim Henry, Mark Dilts
  • Patent number: RE49573
    Abstract: A speed retarding device for a rotary nozzle includes a hollow cylindrical housing and a rotatable tubular shaft rotatably carried by the housing. The shaft has a central axial bore and an enlarged drag sleeve portion carried in the housing. A pair of support bearings support the drag sleeve portion of the shaft in the housing. An annular inner seal between each of the support bearings and the drag sleeve portion defines a cavity within the housing receiving a viscous fluid confined within the cavity. The drag sleeve portion includes a peripheral helical groove and a plurality of axial bores extending therethrough parallel to the central bore, one or more blind axial bores each having a closed end an open end, and a piston disposed in each of the one or more blind axial bores each defining an air space between the closed end and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Schneider
  • Patent number: RE49616
    Abstract: An adjustable hockey helmet includes a front shell that is longitudinally movable relative to a rear shell to adjust the length of the helmet. One or more substantially rigid straps or similar elements are attached to the front shell and extend to the interior of the rear shell. A cam mechanism or similar device is included on the rear shell for securing the straps directly or indirectly against the interior of the rear shell to prevent longitudinal movement of the front shell relative to the rear shell once the helmet is adjusted to a desired length. Alternatively, the one or more straps may be attached to the rear shell and the cam mechanism may be included on the front shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BAUER HOCKEY, LLC
    Inventors: Guillaume Belanger, Jean-Francois Beland
  • Patent number: RE49618
    Abstract: A stove controller starts an unattended timer when a cooking process is started. The controller monitors whether motion is detected in the kitchen prior to the unattended timer expiring and resets the unattended timer each time motion is detected. If the unattended timer expires without any motion being detected, the controller disables the heating elements of the stove and starts a return timer. The controller monitors whether motion is detected in the kitchen prior to the return timer expiring. When motion is detected, the controller automatically re-enables the heating elements of the stove so that cooking can continue. If motion is not detected and the return timer expires, the controller locks the stove until a reset procedure is performed. Alerts of the stove activity are sent to external devices over the Internet, and the reset procedure may be performed on the controller or on one of the external devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: William MacDonald Ferguson
  • Patent number: RE49624
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dumbbell to be used during a weight lifting exercise program. The dumbbell includes a handle assembly and a pair of collars connected at opposite sides of the assembly. First and second sets of weight plates are detachably connected to each other and to the pair of collars. Each weight plate has an electric motor carried in a cavity formed therein. The dumbbell is seated in a portable dumbbell tray which includes a touch activated display at which a user can enter a predetermined weight to be lifted by the dumbbell during his exercise. The dumbbell tray also has a processor and a motor controller by which the electric motors of respective weight plates are selectively activated to cause the weight plates to be connected together to correspond with the weight entered by the user at the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Nalley
  • Patent number: RE49671
    Abstract: A wafer transfer apparatus is provided. In a minimum transformed state where a robot arm is transformed such that a distance defined from a pivot axis to an arm portion, which is farthest in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis, is minimum, a minimum rotation radius R, is set to exceed ½ of a length B in the forward and backward directions of an interface space, the length B corresponding to a length between the front wall and the rear wall of the interface space forming portion, and is further set to be equal to or less than a subtracted value obtained by subtracting a distance L0 in the forward and backward directions from the rear wall of the interface space forming portion to the pivot axis, from the length B in the forward and backward directions of the interface space (i.e., B/2<R?B?L0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Hashimoto
  • Patent number: RE49707
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: RE49779
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprising a light emitting diode (LED) arrangement encased in a blanket-like body is provided. The blanket-like body is constructed in a manner allowing for the lighting apparatus to be rolled up for ease of storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sourcemaker, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Girolami, Joseph M. DeJoia
  • Patent number: RE49817
    Abstract: A mechanism for supporting and positioning a glass floor unit relative to a base utilizing a support positioned to contact the glass floor unit. An adjuster interacts with a receiver fixed to the base. The adjuster includes a contact element which moves the support and exerts a force against the glass floor unit in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: O'KEEFFE'S, INC.
    Inventor: William F. O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: RE49843
    Abstract: A shaving razor having at least two independent blade assemblies coupled to substantially rigid linkages. The linkages each defining a pivot point between the two independent blade assemblies. A bridge spans between the linkages such that movement of the bridge causes pivoting about the pivot point enabling reciprocating motion of the blade assemblies where assemblies on opposite sides of the pivot point reciprocate in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Leon Coresh
  • Patent number: RE49862
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ceiling mounted air circulating apparatus comprising, in combination: a motor; an essentially centrally located radial or axial air impeller; air guiding means; optional airflow enhancement by means of air amplification means; optional centrally located wiring path from an electrical power source to a wiring enclosure suitable for hanging a lighting fixture or chandelier; and decorative embellishments, ail of which are arranged to blend with the architectural style of a space in a manner similar to a decorative ceiling medallion, the plariform of which, when viewed from below may be circular, rectangular, or polygonal. Optionally, the apparatus of the present invention may embody any of the following; heating, cooling, filtration means, positive ion generation means, and / or air sterilization means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Butler Cunnane
  • Patent number: RE49867
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various apparatus for controllably restricting an air flow to a vacuum controlled actuator in a vehicle induction system for the purpose of controlling a response of the actuator. In one embodiment the apparatus is a hose component having a hose that forms a flow channel, and which has an air flow restrictor seated within the flow channel. The air flow restrictor has a main body portion and an end wall having a reduced diameter air flow aperture. The air flow restrictor restricts air flow through the hose by a predetermined degree to tailor a response of the actuator in flow communication with the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MOLDTECS-01-2002 GMBH
    Inventors: Rick Weckerle, Jaime Douglas Buikema
  • Patent number: RE49868
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ceiling mounted air circulating apparatus comprising, in combination: a motor; an essentially centrally located radial or axial air impeller; air guiding means; optional airflow enhancement by means of air amplification means; optional centrally located wiring path from an electrical power source to a wiring enclosure suitable for hanging a lighting fixture or chandelier; and decorative embellishments, ail of which are arranged to blend with the architectural style of a space in a manner similar to a decorative ceiling medallion, the plariform of which, when viewed from below may be circular, rectangular, or polygonal. Optionally, the apparatus of the present invention may embody any of the following; heating, cooling, filtration means, positive ion generation means, and / or air sterilization means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Butler Cunnane
  • Patent number: RE49911
    Abstract: A missile system wherein a missile carrier delivers a plurality of submissiles over a target area. A passive or active scanner on the missile carrier repeatedly scans the target area as the missile carrier descends by drag brake over the target area. Submissile assignment to identified targets is performed at a selected altitude. A data processor controls the launching of the submissiles and actively guides the submissiles for substantial portions of their flights via optical fiber or wire links separately connecting each submissile to the missile carrier. Each submissile includes either passive or active identification devices enabling the data processor to track the submissiles individually. A missile assignment table stores a correspondence between identified targets and submissiles assigned thereto. Submissile assignment is effected on the basis of the strength of target signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Lewis Gail Despain
  • Patent number: RE49919
    Abstract: An ice maker includes an upper tray that includes a plurality of upper cells that each have a hemispherical shape and an ice making tube disposed at outer circumferential surfaces of the upper cells and configured to cool each of the upper cells. The ice maker also includes a lower tray that includes a plurality of lower cells that each have a hemispherical shape. The lower tray is rotatably connected to the upper tray. The ice maker further includes a rotation shaft connected to a rear end of the lower tray and a rear end of the upper tray, and configured to rotate the lower tray with respect to the upper tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee