Patents Examined by Winnie Yip
  • Canopy frame for alleviating standing water
    Patent number: 9995057
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a frame for tents or canopies which alleviates standing water during rainy outdoor weather. The frame comprises a plurality of foot poles, a plurality of hinged beam assemblies, a plurality of frame supporting poles and a top plate. Each foot pole is hinged to one frame supporting pole, each frame supporting pole is connected to the top plate, and each hinged beam assembly connects two adjacent foot poles of the plurality of foot poles. The disclosed frame provides increased frame strength and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NINGBO CASUALWAY LEISURE PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guoxiang Wu
  • Treepod assembly
    Patent number: 9988824
    Abstract: The invention provides means, methods, and devices for suspending persons and goods above the ground while outdoors. Particularly, the invention provides a treepod assembly having a tent and a suspension element, capable of securely supporting at least one occupant while suspended above the ground from a tree or other elevated structure. In some embodiments, the treepod assembly may further include a rigid frame for additional support. Certain embodiments include an inflatable pocket that protects occupants and items inside the tent from injury or damage in case of a fall and impact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Canaima Outdoors, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Bottome, Michael Cecot-Scherer
  • Collapsible shelter
    Patent number: 9976318
    Abstract: A collapsible shelter is provided. The shelter includes a floor having a recessed portion and an elevated portion. The elevated portion includes first fastening means thereon. Four side walls include second fastening means configured to operably couple each of the side walls to the floor by the first fastening means. Each of the side walls including a first plurality of flexible poles coupled thereto and configured to expand the side walls outwardly. A roof includes a plurality of roof panels, each of the panels is coupled to one of the side walls. The roof panels each include a second plurality of flexible poles coupled thereto and configured to expand the roof outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ARDISAM, INC.
    Inventors: David John Lynch, David Lee Nickell
  • Folding pole having a tubular sleeve
    Patent number: 9974366
    Abstract: A pole comprising a pole handle and a pole tip, with at least two tube portions located therebetween, which in an assembled state of the pole are connected to one another by means of insertion connections aligned along a longitudinal pole axis A. At least one of the plug connections is realized on a second tube portion by way of a form-fit and/or force-fit locking device, wherein the second tube portion has a smaller the same outer diameter than the inner diameter of a first tube portion, and which can be inserted into the first tube portion, and which can be fixed in the relative axial position by means of the form-fit locking device. On at least one of the plug connections, a tubular sleeve having a clamping element in a receiving groove is arranged between the tubular sleeve and the lower end of the first tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LEKISPORT AG
    Inventor: Eberhard Heim
  • Tent system employing an improved spider hub and associated frame structure and method of compacting the frame for reduced storage size
    Patent number: 9976319
    Abstract: A frame for a portable structure preferably in the form of a tent includes a hub having a plurality of tent pole frame members attached to it. The each tent pole is formed from a plurality of pole sections interconnected to one another along a structure permitting the pole sections to fold and/or compact upon one another. The poles define a proximate end attached to the hub and a distal end having a locking structure associated with it. The locking structure attaches each pole to the material defining the portable structure. The structure provides a reduced size package in the compacted position of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: HKD GLOBAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Samuel F. Lamke
  • Apparatus for anchoring an umbrella
    Patent number: 9974369
    Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring an umbrella including a container base and a cylindrical male attachment member medially attached and upwardly extended from a flattened middle portion of the container base. The cylindrical male attachment member has an inner threaded cavity. An umbrella shaft has an umbrella canopy attached to a top end and a threaded exterior portion disposed proximal a bottom end. The threaded exterior portion of the umbrella shaft is selectively threadable engageable with the inner threaded cavity of the cylindrical male attachment member. A hook is attached to the umbrella shaft proximal the top end, and a shovel is removably attachable to the hook. The inner chamber of the container base is fillable with a weighty substance that can include, but not be limited to, sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael DePaolo, Reneta Georgieva
  • Combination walker and cane
    Patent number: 9974707
    Abstract: A combination walker and cane includes a pair of inverted, U-shaped frame members, each having a horizontal handlebar with a front leg and a rear leg depending therefrom. One of the rear legs is detachable from the remainder of the corresponding frame member to form a walking cane, if desired. Accordingly, a user can operate the walker in a conventional fashion, or detach the rear leg to form a walking cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: Dustin T Donahoe, Ashley Donahoe
  • Adaptive pivoting and impact reduction tip assembly for walking aids
    Patent number: 9955760
    Abstract: An adaptive ambulatory support includes a shock absorbing and pivoting tip assembly attached to the staff of a walking aid, such as a cane, crutch or walker. The shock absorbing and pivoting tip assembly includes a shock absorber sandwiched between a lower portion and an upper portion. The shock absorber may be a bendable spring or elastic material. The tip assembly enables the shaft of the walking aid to dynamically pivot without the loss of adherence of the lower portion to the floor surface and simultaneous provides the adaptive shock absorbing capability in any angle during ambulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: 3C AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Shyh Min Chen, James Dale Jordan, Dale Bourland Jordan
  • Protector for rib tip of umbrella
    Patent number: 9943148
    Abstract: An umbrella is provided with a frame including a shank, a handle at a lower end of the shank, a grommet at an upper end of the shank, a runner slidably disposed on the shank between the handle and the grommet, ribs radially extending from the grommet, and stretchers having two ends pivotably secured to the runner and an intermediate portion of the rib respectively; and a canopy assembly including a canopy secured in covering relation on the ribs, protection members each secured to an edge portion of an inner surface of the canopy adjacent to a tip of each rib, and rib tip protection elements each secured to both the protection member and the inner surface of the canopy. Each rib has an end releasably inserted into the rib tip protection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan You
  • Walking aid system and method
    Patent number: 9930941
    Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus. The illuminated walking assistance apparatus is made in the form of a staff having a light pipe in the lower portion thereof which provides diffused illumination in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus and at the same time, a bright light visible for a substantial distance to alert or signal others. A walking aid that may include an elongated support shaft to be used as a walking support. The length of the support shaft may extend between an upper end and a lower end. At the upper end of the elongated support shaft, the walking aid support may include a handle assembly that includes a hand grip. The walking aid may include a light source having a user interface that may be designed to selectably emit light outward from the elongated support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Rodney Philip Sarauer
  • Portable screening assembly
    Patent number: 9932752
    Abstract: A portable screening assembly for provision of privacy in public spaces includes a pair of rings. A sleeve and a plurality of slats are coupled to and extend between the rings. The sleeve is open ended. The slats are coupled to and coiledly positioned on the sleeve. The slats are elastic rendering them compressible. A plurality of couplers is coupled to the sleeve proximate to a top of the sleeve. The slats, in a resting position, place the sleeve is in an extended configuration to screen a user who is positioned in the sleeve. The slats are configured to be compressed to position the slats and the sleeve in a compressed configuration. The couplers are configured to support the sleeve on shoulders of the user. The couplers also are positionable to mutually couple to retain the slats and the sleeve in the compressed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Gloria Vila
  • Portable shading assembly
    Patent number: 9903134
    Abstract: A portable shading assembly for provision of shade using a tethered panel includes a mast and a panel. The mast has a bottom configured to couple to a surface. The panel is flexible and has a respective opposing side reversibly couplable to a top of the mast. The mast is positioned substantially equally distant from opposing edges of the panel. A plurality of tethers is coupled to and extends from the panel. Each of a plurality of stakes is reversibly couplable to a respective tether distal from the panel. The panel is positioned to couple to the mast. The mast and the stakes are configured to couple to the surface. The tethers are positioned to couple the panel to the stakes. The panel is positioned above the surface to use the natural force of the wind to inflate the panel and hold it aloft to provide shade to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Ken Munnerlyn
  • Adjustable opening for a hunting blind
    Patent number: 9890552
    Abstract: A hunting blind with an adjustable opening is provided to increase the flexibility of the hunting blind when the hunting blind is used in various activities. One or more covers at least partially cover the adjustable opening to produce a modified opening. Some embodiments of the invention may comprise fasteners, cords, and other components to arrange the one or more covers in different configurations. Various embodiments of the invention may also have a pass-through feature in an exterior wall of the hunting blind that provide access to the external environment. This may be advantageous for objects such as tripods where one of the tripod's legs may extend through the pass-through feature so that the tripod may be positioned closer to the exterior wall, which saves space in the hunting blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: PD2F, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Schneider, Jerrod R. Lile
  • Method and mechanism for securing a removable tray to a walker
    Patent number: 9883984
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for securing a removable tray to a walker frame. The mechanism comprises a removable spacer wherein the spacer is adapted to frictionally engage the walker tray with a walker handle. The method of attaching the removable walker tray to the walker frame comprises securing a first spacer to a first cutout in the walker tray; securing a second spacer to a second cutout in the walker tray; inserting a first walker handle into the first cutout in the tray; inserting a second walker handle into the second cutout in the tray; and where upon inserting the walker handles into the cutouts, the tray is positioned on top of the walker frame and the tray secured in a substantially level position on the walker frame by frictional engagement of the spacer between the tray and the walker handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: YUNGA TART LLC
    Inventor: Kareem Reda
  • Portable barrier and associated method of use
    Patent number: 9879443
    Abstract: A portable barrier includes a junction assembly. The portable barrier further includes a pedestal assembly including (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs includes a first leg and a second leg, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first leg and the second leg. In addition, the portable barrier includes a cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms includes a first arm and a second arm, and (ii) a covering connected to the first arm and the second arm. Further, the portable barrier includes a second limiter extending between the first arm and the first leg. The portable barrier also includes a supplemental component movable with respect to the second arm. Additionally, the portable barrier includes a third limiter extending between the second arm and the supplemental component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Shadiant, LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. Maginot, Gary A. Vandenbark
  • Tent pole weight system
    Patent number: 9869111
    Abstract: A tent pole weight system for erecting a tent includes a tent that has a plurality of poles. Each of the poles has a pair of ends. A plurality of weight units is provided. Each weight unit is selectively coupled an associated one of the ends of an associated one of the poles. Thus, each of the weight units retains the associated pole in a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Lionel Bailey, Sr.
  • Sled-attached ice shelter with flexible and rigid pole structure
    Patent number: 9863163
    Abstract: A portable ice shelter comprises a base, a rigid frame member, a multi-panel skin and a first set of flexible poles. The base comprises a bottom wall and a sidewall that forms an outer perimeter. The rigid frame member is pivotably mounted to the base at first and second locations, and is moveable between a stored position against the base and a deployed position. angled from the base. The multi-panel skin is coupled to the rigid frame member, the multi-panel skin defining an enclosure when expanded. The first set of flexible poles extend from the rigid frame member, and each of the flexible poles in the first set is connected in an expandable fashion so as to expand at least a portion of the multi-panel skin when the rigid frame member is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ardisam, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan P. Lonergan, Trevor R. Kinderman, David E. Hare, David J. Lynch
  • Articulated top
    Patent number: 9849939
    Abstract: A frame for a top of a boat in accordance with the present invention can be moved into an deployed position with the aid of a biasing member such that the manual effort required is minimized. When the frame is in the deployed position a locking member may be engaged to hold the frame and top in the deployed position. When the locking member is disengaged, the frame may be manually collapsed into a stowed position in a controlled and safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Dowco, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Hough, Kenneth Lauerance Stout
  • Retractable umbrella
    Patent number: 9850680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable umbrella that can be attached above a door that opens to allow people to exit or enter an enclosure, such as, a bus, airplane, train, house, building, and the like. The retractable umbrella comprises several frames to which umbrella sheets are attached and that nest within one another within a housing that is attached to said enclosure. With a switch or button, a motor linearly displaces a shaft that displaces each of said frames out of the housing so as to provide protection for people from the rain as they exit or enter said enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Hyon Sam Yi
  • Anti-turning umbrella frame
    Patent number: 9844250
    Abstract: An anti-turning umbrella frame is revealed. The anti-turning umbrella frame includes a plurality of inner main ribs, a plurality of inner connecting ribs, a plurality of middle main ribs, and a plurality of stretchers. An outer end of the inner main rib is riveted to an inner end of the middle main rib to form a first rivet point. The anti-turning umbrella frame features on that a positioning portion is disposed on an inner side of the first rivet point of the inner main rib while a locking portion corresponding to the positioning portion is arranged at or close to the outer end of the inner connecting rib. The locking portion is locked with the positioning portion while the umbrella frame is opened. Thereby the inner main rib and the middle main rib are connected to form a rigid body for preventing the middle main rib from turning over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Tsun-Zong Wu