Patents Examined by Winnie Yip
  • Nordic walking pole with buffer
    Patent number: 8800580
    Abstract: A pole, in particular a Nordic walking pole, is described, having a pole body (1) at the lower end of which a buffer (2) with a tip (19) is provided, wherein the tip (19) and/or a lowermost portion (28, 36) of an inner sleeve (3) secured to the pole body (1) are arranged passing through a central opening (18) of the buffer (2), wherein the buffer (2) is mounted such that it can be moved and secured in an axial direction in this central opening (18), and wherein the buffer (2) can be secured in at least two axially different positions in relation to the pole body (1) via a form-fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Lekisport AG
    Inventor: Eberhard Heim
  • Guy structure for an automatic unfolding and folding umbrella
    Patent number: 8800576
    Abstract: A guy structure for an automatic unfolding and folding umbrella is provided. The guy structure includes two or more guys: One guy is a lower nest guy, provided at least between a middle rod and a lower nest; the other is an unfolding guy, provided at least between the middle rod and a spreading component in the umbrella head. While unfolding the umbrella, an unfolding spring stretches and opens part of the middle rod pipe. The unfolding guy pulls and opens the rest section of middle rod pipe with the cooperation of the lower nest guy, and forms the complete unfolding status. While folding the umbrella, the folding spring makes the lower nest move downward under force of the folding spring. At this time, the unfolding spring does not generate tension on the middle rod pipe above it, thus the middle rod pipe above the unfolding spring can be collected through the lower nest guy or the unfolding guy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ShengJing Technology (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shumin Chang
  • Storable exterior lift cover
    Patent number: 8800582
    Abstract: Storable exterior lift cover systems, apparatus, devices, methods, etc. are configured to be used with a lift device or the like (such as an exterior lift that raises, transports, stores and lowers mobility devices like scooters, power chairs and the like) mounted to a motor vehicle using a trailer hitch or the like. A covering apparatus has a foldable frame that can be unfolded to allow a pliable cover to extend over the lift platform and any cargo. Retraction of the cover and folding of the frame compactly configures and stores the cover apparatus, for example between the lift platform and a motor vehicle to which the lift is secured. Embodiments of the storable exterior lift cover permit easy deployment and storage of a cover that can be reliably transported externally in its deployed or stored configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam C. Hooper, Timothy J. Dexter, Andrew A. Bayer
  • Ice rescue walking staff
    Patent number: 8800578
    Abstract: A multifunctional walking staff, to aid in balance and support on an ice surface, and to function as a survival or a rescue tool in the event of breaking through thin ice into water. Secure traction on ice is attained by a metal tip, which may be further pressed onto the ice by a foot peg, serving also as a grapple hook. Secured onto the ice, the staff affords reliable anchorage to an attached rescue line, which is ordinarily stowed in multiple folds therewithin. An adjustable loop is formed integrally with, or adjoined to the rescue line, which loop may be maneuvred by the staff to facilitate engagement with the rescuee. A buoyant projectile linked to the loop is releasably disposed within a top section of the staff, and is of such weight that it and the loop may jointly be cast the full extent of the rescue line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Donald William Jackson
  • Portable universal pickup bed hunting blind
    Patent number: 8789548
    Abstract: A portable hunting or wildlife observation structure is designed to fit to the bed of most pickup trucks. All components of the structure may be stored inside a lockable storage case, which also acts as a bed width adjustable bench seat for the user when the structure is assembled. The structure's five-sided structure may incorporate height adjustable shooting bars and a roof structure. A weatherproof camouflage material provides a surround and roof cover for the structure. Separate weatherproof camouflage material may be magnetically attached to conceal the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Andrew Atherton
  • Apparatus for anchoring umbrellas
    Patent number: 8783274
    Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring an umbrella having a generally cylindrical container structure, having a bottom panel area securely attached to the cylindrical center structure, the bottom panel having a generally concentric opening to the interior of the central structure which is adapted to permit an umbrella pole's lower portion to protrude therefrom for placement on a sand base. A panel with an upper opening is attached to the cylindrical central structure. The upper opening panel is configured to receive an umbrella pole and an amount of sand sufficient to provide support for the pole and ballast for the umbrella. At least one strap is attached at one end of the central structure and is of sufficient length to wrap over the umbrella pole runner and around the pole and through the spokes to secure the umbrella support structure, eliminating wobbling and keeping the umbrella from flying across the sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: John Supino
  • Tent with insertable mattress
    Patent number: 8776812
    Abstract: A camping tent assembly having a removable inflatable mattress portion inserted into a floor portion, comprises a two-layered floor comprising a zippered edge which opens to receive the removable mattress, thereby allowing the mattress to occupy a space subjacent to the floor portion to provide a user with more interior space as compared to a conventional tent with a conventional air mattress placed above a floor portion. The mattress is inflated using a manual foot pump. The entire tent, including the deflated mattress, is simply folded or rolled up when breaking camp in much the same manner as a conventional tent. The mattress may be easily removed for repair or replacement as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Forget
  • Stick with cam lever type locking device
    Patent number: 8776810
    Abstract: A stick is provided in which a gripping tube is fixed to a front end portion of an upper connection tube having a large diameter and a circular-arc engagement portion formed by a front-end cut portion of the gripping tube is tightened or loosened with the operation of a cam lever so that the outer periphery of a lower connection tube is fixed in a pressurized and gripped state or the pressurizing force is released, wherein a contracted tube portion is formed in the outer periphery of the lower connection tube at the portion with which the circular-arc engagement portion comes into contact when the lower connection tube is pressed into the upper connection tube so as to reach a shortened position, and when the cam lever is locked at the shortened position, the circular-arc engagement portion comes into contact with the contracted tube portion having a small outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jeh-Kun Lah, Jang-Ho Wang
  • Remote-controlled vehicle for transporting bio-waste
    Patent number: 8769734
    Abstract: A remote-controlled vehicle for collecting and transporting bio-waste that is capable of compacting bio-waste, dumping the waste in a variety of ways, and that has a rechargeable battery, among other functions, is disclosed. A system for collecting the bio-waste material also is provided. The system includes a plurality of collection receptacles associated with a structure, each of the plurality of collection receptacles receiving the bio-waste material without the use of water as a carrier. A transport network extends from each of the plurality of collection receptacles to at least one storage receptacle located at the structure. A plurality of vehicles, or carts, is disposed within the transport network and collect the bio-waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent Paul Schaaf
  • Attic access door seal
    Patent number: 8757186
    Abstract: An insulating cover is adapted for sealing an attic access panel. The insulating cover includes a substantially rectangular fabric layer and at least one rod for raising the fabric layer above the attic access panel. A cavity is defined by the fabric layer and is adapted to contain a volume of stationary air. A seal is formed around a perimeter of the fabric layer. The seal includes multiple fiber strands of material that are adapted to conform to a shape of a floor surface. The fiber strands are adapted to seal gaps formed where the cover meets the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Shurtech Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Vulpitta, Daniel Festa, Vageesh Bakhshi
  • Multi-folded full-automatic opening-closing umbrella
    Patent number: 8757184
    Abstract: A multi-folded full-automatic opening-closing umbrella comprises a frame, cloth, a middle rod set, an upper nest, a lower nest, a handle, an umbrella opening/closing transformation ratio mechanism disposed in the middle rod set, and an umbrella opening/closing driving mechanism disposed in the handle and the middle rod set. The umbrella opening/closing driving mechanism drives the middle sleeve of the middle rod set to move up and down relative to the inner sleeve, and linkage opening/closing functions of the sleeves of the middle rod set and the cloth are realized at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventors: Wangshu-O Chen, Mei-Ping Lin, Chiung-Wen Yeh, Hsuanyuan Chen
  • Load-absorbent device for introducing load forces such as cable forces or tensioning forces of sheet-like structures
    Patent number: 8757187
    Abstract: A load-absorbing device initiates load forces such as cable forces or tensioning forces of sheet-shaped structures into supporting structures (10). At least one bearing element (24, 80) is anchored on supporting structure (10). A tie rod (40) of a load-absorbing part (36, 40) is connected to the bearing element. A connection device (50) for tension members (16; 98) cooperates with the tie bar (40). The connection device (50) has at least one connection wing (66) projecting laterally from the longitudinal axis (A) and forming at least one connection point (69a) offset with respect to the longitudinal axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Stahl GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Kiefer
  • Toilet stool using cyclone type sewage purifier
    Patent number: 8745773
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet using a cyclone-type sewage purifier, which can discharge excrement using a small amount of water and can sanitarily treat the discharged excrement using waste water, thus increasing the efficiency with which the waste water is recycled. The toilet includes a toilet bowl having a depression; a refuse pipe passing through the toilet bowl and connected to the depression, thus guiding the discharge of excrement from the depression; a refuse bowl seated in the depression and temporarily holding the excrement, and discharging the excrement into the refuse pipe when it is rotated; a rotating device for rotating the refuse bowl; and a cyclone-type sewage purifier for executing purification treatment using a vortex generated by descent of the excrement and waste water discharged from the refuse pipe and a waste water pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Sang-Hoon Moon
  • Garaged vehicle cover
    Patent number: 8733380
    Abstract: A garage car cover apparatus attachable to a ceiling of a garage including a flexible fabric car cover configured to drapingly cover a vehicle. A power unit attaches to the ceiling and to a lifting shaft having a plurality of spaced sheaves. Attaching points on the cover each connect to one end of a flexible line. A plurality of ceiling pulleys are each connectable to the ceiling directly above one of the attaching points when the cover is draped over the vehicle, each flexible line connected at one end to one sheave, a mid-portion of each line supported on one pulley. The cover is raised or lowered vertically from, and drapingly onto the vehicle by operation of the power unit. An alternate embodiment utilizes an existing power unit of an overhead garage door opener to facilitate automatic deployment and retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas W. Roberts, Frank Brunckhorst
  • Umbrella mechanism and methods of use
    Patent number: 8733378
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an umbrella mechanism with an outer and inner shaft, a plurality of ribs connected with the outer shaft and a canopy supported by the plurality of ribs are provided. The plurality of ribs are configured into a substantially “V” shape when the umbrella mechanism is in a closed position, such that upon opening the umbrella into an open position, the plurality of ribs opens vertically before expanding horizontally, thus avoiding inadvertent contact of the umbrella with a user during the opening operation. The umbrella mechanism may be handheld or mounted to a structure such as a backpack, chair, table, patio or house, and may be operated by an enclosed motor. The motor may be powered by a battery, solar panel embedded into the canopy or an outside power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Sean K. Tayebi
  • Apparatus configured to manipulate a tarpaulin
    Patent number: 8720462
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an apparatus for use in securing or transporting a tarpaulin or other sheet of material. The apparatus may include a body, a securing device configured to secure the apparatus to the ground, a connecting member mechanically coupling the securing device to the body, a handle mechanically coupled to the body, and a joining device configured to removably join the apparatus to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Monahan Products, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Vieira, James Adamson
  • Collapsible portable shelter
    Patent number: 8720461
    Abstract: A collapsible portable shelter including at least a first strut and a second strut, each strut being resiliently flexible, a panel formed of a flexible material coupled with the first strut and the second strut, and an anchoring member for anchoring the panel relative to a surface. The first strut is received along a first side of the panel and the second strut is received along a second side of the panel, the second side opposing the first side. The first strut and the second strut each has a portion extending beyond a third side of the panel. A portion of each of the first strut and second strut is to be received in the surface to resist lateral movement of said part received in the ground. The orientation of the panel with respect to the surface can be readily varied by adjusting the anchoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: John Alexander Nichols
  • Tubular crutch with a cantilever handle
    Patent number: 8720458
    Abstract: A tubular crutch including a tubular crutch body, a cantilever handle and a ground engaging extension is described. The tubular crutch body includes a tubular posterior stabilizing element, a first concave curve adjacent to the posterior stabilizing element, a second convex curve proximate to the first concave curve, a third concave curve proximate to the second convex curve and a tubular elongated portion adjacent to the third concave curve. The cantilever handle includes a curved base plate, a bolt, a tubular member, a nut and a contoured component. The tubular crutch also includes a ground engaging extension with a spring loaded button that is configured to be received at the bottom of the tubular elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Careborne, LLC
    Inventor: Philip William Dickerson, II
  • Canopy weight case
    Patent number: 8714174
    Abstract: A method of applying weights to the legs of instant pop-up canopies and the like is disclosed. The weights help prevent uplift under windy conditions. Each weight case is comprised of two half-round hollow cases. The case halves are joined by hinges on one edge and latches on the opposite edge. Each case half has a full length inner V-groove, which when closed, create a throughbore for the canopy legs. Each case half top is fitted with a filler hole and cap. The hollow cases can be filled with a variety of weight material. The weighted case is wrapped around the lower leg of the canopy and latched shut to secure the weight around the canopy leg. The weight case rests on the flanged footplate of each leg. Four to six weight cases are required for each application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Anthony DeSousa
  • Mobility assistance retrieval system
    Patent number: 8714170
    Abstract: A mobility assistance retrieval system to help users grab objects out of reach featuring a cane, walker, or scooter, a grabber, and one or more clips for attaching the grabber to a leg shaft of the cane, walker, or scooter. The user can unclip the grabber from the cane, walker, or scooter and obtain an object without having to reach or bend for the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: William K. Bonne, Erin M. Bonne