Patents Examined by William L. Miller
  • Patent number: 11284732
    Abstract: A parcel box includes a lid, a container, and a self-closing module. The self-closing module is connected to the lid and includes a contacting part arranged inside the container. When a parcel is placed into the container, the contacting part is pushed downward, and the lid-closing module drives the lid to close on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Paul John McCloskey, III
  • Patent number: 11285067
    Abstract: A repository system includes a first repository side panel including a plurality of first memorial apertures and a second repository side panel including a plurality of second memorial apertures. The first and second repository side panels interfacing at a corner region. A first corner portion of the first memorial apertures of the first repository side panel and a second corner portion of the second memorial apertures of the second repository panel neighbor each other in the corner region. The first memorial apertures of the first corner portion and the second memorial apertures of the second corner portion have vertical positions that are offset in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Scott S. Conrad
  • Patent number: 11286685
    Abstract: A platform for a cemetery lowering device comprising a one-piece base, a first beam and a second beam. The one-piece base having a tapered edge, a non-skid surface, and an opening for a casket to be lowered through the base. The first beam attached to the one-piece base on one side of the opening and a second beam attached to the one-piece base on another side of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen J. Sabo, Jr., Joseph A Greco
  • Patent number: 11286686
    Abstract: A funerary containment structure for funerary objects, which comprises a base structure, which defines at least one niche, which is designed to contain at least one funerary object and has at least one access opening, which is closed by way of at least one slab which is fixed to the base structure; at least one auxiliary device which has a supporting body which is connected to the base structure and supports at least one supporting arm, which extends laterally from the supporting body; fixing elements for fixing at least one ornamental object to the free end of the supporting arm are furthermore provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: BIONDAN NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Filippo Rossi
  • Patent number: 11279173
    Abstract: A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. McKay
  • Patent number: 11278144
    Abstract: A receiving and pick-up arrangement for postal items with a foldable housing. When the arrangement is not in use, the housing can be folded up to save space. For this purpose, the side walls are foldable, so that the side walls are arranged or stowed between the top wall and the bottom wall in the folded up state. In the folded up state, the arrangement does not have a receiving chamber for receiving postal items. In operation, the housing is unfolded. In the unfolded state of the housing, the postal item can be placed into the receiving chamber then formed between the side walls via the first opening or the second opening and removed again at a later stage. Also, a method for receiving and a method for picking up a postal item with such an arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jaime Antonio Vernal Silva, Pablo Javier Vernal Munoz
  • Patent number: 11272800
    Abstract: A mailbox system that is operable to provide an owner thereof the ability to change a portion of the mailbox system for thematic decorative purposes. The mailbox system of the present invention includes a lower portion having a base member and a mounting pole member wherein the base member is configured to be buried in the ground. The mounting pole member extends upward from the base member and is configured to operably couple with a support pole of the upper portion. The upper portion includes a body member wherein the body member further has an integrally formed receptacle. The body member is manufactured in various shapes and sizes so as to provide decorative theme options. A locking mechanism is present on the upper portion and is configured to provide securing of the upper portion to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Monte, Deniscia Monte
  • Patent number: 11273092
    Abstract: A reusable casket has a four-sided frame. A base is also provided. The base extends to the outer edges of the frame, so the frame rests on top of the base. Trim pieces surrounding the bottom of the frame are offset so that the base is hidden from view when the frame is on the base. The offset also creates a pocket that holds the base in place, in part, when attached to the frame. The base is manually secured to and released from inside of the frame by release buckles having male and female ends, each of which has an attached polypropylene strap. The straps of the male ends are secured inside of the frame. The straps of the female ends pass through openings in the base, and are secured to the underside of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: J. GARVIN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Garvin
  • Patent number: 11273093
    Abstract: A lightweight deflating rectangular bag made of a leak and puncture resistant mattress film with a plastic two-way valve for lowering of caskets for entombment in below-floor level “Westminster” crypt locations. The deflating bag is configured to lower a casket, in a safe, dignified, and simple manner, into a subterranean crypt for final entombment, while family members, relatives, and friends observe during this important moment in the funeral service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ENSURE-A-SEAL, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Yearsley, Marc R. Yearsley
  • Patent number: 11266262
    Abstract: The present invention relates a package securing system that protects delivered packages from theft. The system comprising a frame that defines an interior region receives a mat. The frame having a recessed chamber. A securing rail is operationally related to the frame and repositionable. A security tarp having at least a portion secured to the frame and at least a portion secured by the securing rail, the security tarp is stored in the recessed chamber. When a package is placed on the mat the package is secured by repositioning the securing rail extending the security tarp over the package. A camera establishes an optical motion free zone around the package and data communicates a secure package notification to predefined recipients when motion is detected, a package delivery or package delivery exception occurs by a package delivery person, or in response to a space-available request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Cary C Pappas
  • Patent number: 11266559
    Abstract: A crematorium ashes transfer container made of paper and/or cardboard comprises: one or more sides and/or walls defining a cavity to receive the ashes; an outlet in one of the sides and/or walls allowing exit of ashes in the cavity from the container, the outlet comprising a nozzle and a removeable cap that closes the nozzle, the nozzle being capable of sealing engagement with a long term storage container, whereby ashes within the cavity of the container can be transferred to the long term storage container without being visible during transfer and without leakage of ashes during transfer. A method of transferring cremation ashes into a long term ashes storage container, comprises:— a. providing ashes from a cremation, b. providing a long term ashes storage container having an inlet and providing a crematorium ashes transfer container made of paper and/or cardboard that comprises a nozzle capable of sealing engagement with the inlet on the long term storage container, c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Tributes Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Bush
  • Patent number: 11259663
    Abstract: A containment unit that facilitates delivery of parcels using drones is provided. An example containment unit comprises an inner housing unit and an outer housing unit. The inner housing unit includes a first and second sidewall that are connected by an end piece and have a bottom opening in between. The inner housing unit is movable from a retracted position over a floor of the containment unit to an extended position, where a portion of the opening is extended beyond the floor. A parcel may be inserted into a volume of space within the inner housing unit from below through the opening and pulled into the containment unit by the end piece when the inner housing unit is retracted. The containment unit can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include an elevated delivery platform, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Julio Gil
  • Patent number: 11253094
    Abstract: A parcel storage assembly includes a box that has an upper door and a lower door. A first tray and a second tray is each pivotally integrated into the box. The first tray and the second tray are positioned in a deployed position for having the parcel positioned thereon when the upper door is opened. The first tray and the second tray are each positioned in a stored position when the upper door is closed in order to drop the parcel downwardly in the box. An alert unit is integrated into the box and the alert unit detects when the parcel falls into the box. The alert unit broadcasts an alert signal to the personal electronic device when the alert unit detects the parcel to alert the authorized recipient that the parcel has been deposited into the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Jerry Deck
  • Patent number: 11253095
    Abstract: A parcel drop box for receiving a parcel in the presence or absence of a receiver of the parcel. The parcel drop box includes a cuboidal enclosure with an open-top. A lid pivotally covers the open-top and can be lifted for gaining access into the interior of the enclosure. A pair of flaps coupled inside the enclosure to the sidewalls and just below a periphery of the open-top. The flaps can pivot between a horizontal position and a downward vertical position. The lid is coupled to the pair of flaps, such as pivoting of the lid results in pivoting of the flaps. Opening of the lid results in pivoting of the flaps to a horizontal position which restricts the access to the interior of the enclosure from the open-top i.e., the pair of flaps substantially cover the open-top when in the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Ronald Carlson
  • Patent number: 11246443
    Abstract: A secure containing device with an adjustable volume for receiving and safeguarding items includes a bag, a rear cover, a mounting element connected to opposite sides of the bag, a lock assembly on the rear cover and protruding toward the mounting element, and an active element overlapping with the mounting element. When the mounting element moves to a closed position, the bag is compressed. When the mounting element moves to an unfolded position away from the rear cover, the bag presents a containing space. When the mounting element is in the unfolded position, the active element is movable and rotatable relative to the mounting element to cover a top of the bag and engage with the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhi-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11241111
    Abstract: A mail recovery device for insertion into a mailbox, the device structured to adjust to the internal dimensions of the mailbox. A base member of the device rests on top of mailbox bottom surface, a pair of side members are disposed along the side surfaces of the mailbox, and a rear member is disposed along the rear surface of the mailbox. The side members include a plurality of side portions coupled together by a plurality of fold lines, while the rear member includes a plurality of rear portions coupled together by a plurality of fold lines. The fold lines are structured to provide the device with dimensional flexibility so that the size of the mail recovery device may be adjusted to the mailbox internal dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Mark McHenry
  • Patent number: 11224302
    Abstract: A receiving module is disclosed herein. The receiving module can include a body and a door having a front shield and a rear shield coupled to the front shield at an angle. The body of the receiving module can include installation tabs that can include installation plates. The installation plates can be bent and placed against an installation surface to facilitate installation of the receiving module. The receiving module can be coupled to a container that includes a heating compartment and a cooling compartment to store delivered goods or packages in desirable temperature conditions. The receiving module can be modular and attached to different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventor: John Timpson Jeffs
  • Patent number: 11220851
    Abstract: A device for lubricating a hinge includes a housing, a first elongated opening, a lubrication opening, a lubrication collection chamber, and an absorption element. The first elongated opening allows the housing to be placed over a portion of a hinge. The lubrication opening is for receiving a lubrication straw. The lubrication collection chamber is located at a bottom of the housing, and the absorption element is located within the lubrication collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hey 9, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Conner, II, Paul R. Metcalfe, Scott Urban
  • Patent number: 11213155
    Abstract: A mailbox with a housing, a floor and a receptacle situated on top of a sliding rail assembly affixed to the floor. A first bracket is affixed to the inside surface of the door and connected to a first U-shaped bracket with a downwardly facing open part. The two legs of the first U-shaped bracket are pivotally attached to longitudinal rods extending underneath the mailbox. The distal end of each longitudinal rod is pivotally attached to a second U-shaped bracket with a downwardly facing open part. A first end of a traveling rod extends upwardly from the lateral part of the second U-shaped bracket, and a second end of the traveling rod is attached to a shaft. A wheel bearing is situated on either end of the shaft, and a receiving bracket is attached to the rear wall of the receptacle and configured to receive the wheel bearings and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: James J. Edinger
  • Patent number: 11215000
    Abstract: A mainframe door assembly for a frame is provided. The mainframe door assembly includes a door having opposed first and second sides and first and second mount assemblies. The first and second mount assemblies are configured to mount the first and second sides of the door to the frame, respectively, such that the door can occupy and move between an installed position and a loading position. In the installed position, the door is flush with the frame. In the loading position, the first mount assemblies support and the second mount assemblies permit a swinging of the door about the first side or the second mount assemblies support and the first mount assemblies permit a swinging of the door about the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suraush Khambati, Shawn Canfield, Budy Notohardjono, Richard M. Ecker, Steven C. McIntosh