Patents by Inventor Bruce Kania
Bruce Kania has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20070124995Abstract: A floating habitat designed to be renewably buoyant, self-sustaining and optionally specialized for waterfowl nesting. The first embodiment comprises one or more flotation units, a source of compressed air, and a means for connecting the source of compressed air to the flotation units. Each flotation unit comprises an individual supply hose, an inflatable bladder, a relief valve, a diffusing manifold, bottom mesh, top mesh, and buoyant growth medium. An alternative embodiment comprises a self-compensating buoyancy system. In the waterfowl nesting embodiment, the floating habitat includes one or more waterfowl nesting structures and construction material selected to optimize the nesting habitat. The floating habitat can be comprised of scrap pieces or layers of polyester mesh material. The floating habitats can be combined to provide safe habitat for juvenile waterfowl, encourage colony nesting, or allow a variety of waterfowl or shore bird species to enjoy suitable habitat on the same floating habitat.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2004Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: Foundainthead L.L.C.Inventors: Bruce Kania, Frank Stewart, Russell Smith, Thomas Coleman, Alfred Cunningham
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Publication number: 20070106187Abstract: A shoulder brace comprising an anterior shoulder support member, a posterior support member, a strap attachment member, three primary straps, three secondary straps, and a pneumatic pad. The posterior support member comprises a back support member and a scapular support member. The back support member preferably comprises a lateral extension, an upper extension and a lower extension. The primary straps are preferably elastic and are used to don the brace. The secondary straps are preferably flexible but not elastic and are used to adjust the position of the anterior shoulder support member over the humeral head of the wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2005Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: James Campbell, Rodger Broick, Bruce Kania, David Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20050240283Abstract: A tube-sock shaped polymeric covering for wearing over an amputation stump. The covering has an open end for receiving the amputation stump and a closed end opposite the open end. The covering includes a docking means for attachment of an external device to the covering. The covering may also include one or more areas of reinforcing material that can be present in the form of a strip or rod, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Applicant: The Ohio Willow Wood CompanyInventor: Bruce Kania
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Publication number: 20050183331Abstract: A super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat that is adjustably buoyant and optionally biodegradable. The first embodiment is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer, a mat, soil/flotation chambers, apertures, nutrient channels, buoyant waterscape options, and a tethering system. The floating island can include monitors that measure water and atmospheric conditions, dispensers for fish food or chemicals, and a water agitation/oxygenation device. Another embodiment comprises a positively buoyant soil matrix contained within a water-permeable bag. Another embodiment comprises a flotation collar, an outrigger, and one or more water-permeable bladders containing negatively or neutrally buoyant bedding soil. The present invention also covers an aquarium-scale floating island and submersible planter, a plant containment bag made out of thermoplastic elastomer, and several methods of adjusting the buoyancy of a floating island.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Fountainhead L.L.C.Inventors: Bruce Kania, Leslie Wiser, David Zimmerman, Alfred Cunningham, Frank Stewart, Russell Smith, Thomas Coleman
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Publication number: 20050119596Abstract: A shoulder brace including a shoulder member mountable to a patient's shoulder, and a positioning device that increases pressure to the shoulder in accordance with the position of the patient's arm. In one embodiment, the shoulder brace includes a shoulder member with an open portion forming substantially rigid first and second arms and a positioning device that varies the spacing of the first and second arms according to the position of the patient's arm. In another embodiment, the positioning device includes a tensioning ring and first and second tension triggering straps that provide anterior and posterior compression of the shoulder joint when the arm is moved into a danger zone. In another embodiment, the shoulder brace includes a first mounting member mountable to the pectoral area, a second mounting member mountable to the upper arm, and a connecting member that connects the first and second mounting members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Applicant: Fountainhead L.L.C.Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Publication number: 20050119595Abstract: A shoulder brace including a shoulder member mountable to a patient's shoulder, and a positioning device that increases pressure to the shoulder in accordance with the position of the patient's arm. In one embodiment, the shoulder brace includes a shoulder member with an open portion forming substantially rigid first and second arms and a positioning device that varies the spacing of the first and second arms according to the position of the patient's arm. In another embodiment, the positioning device includes a tensioning ring and first and second tension triggering straps that provide anterior and posterior compression of the shoulder joint when the arm is moved into a danger zone. In another embodiment, the shoulder brace includes a first mounting member mountable to the pectoral area, a second mounting member mountable to the upper arm, and a connecting member that connects the first and second mounting members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Applicant: Fountainhead L.L.C.Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Publication number: 20050101693Abstract: Articles of apparel for an amputee's residuum and for non-amputees who desire or require padding or joint support.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2003Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: OHIO WILLOW WOOD COMPANYInventors: Robert Arbogast, James Capper, James Colvin, Jeffrey Doddroe, Bruce Kania, Christopher Kelley
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Patent number: 6692428Abstract: A method and apparatus used for relieving motion sickness. The apparatus includes a sensor which detects a motion of an object and a sensory converter coupled to the sensor and configured to convert the detected motion to corresponding sensory signals for presentation to a user. In addition, the sensory signals have a variation in spectral emphasis in proportion to the detected motion. The sensory signals include video, audio and white noise signals and resolve a conflict between vestibular, ocular, and proprioceptive inputs of the user, thus relieving motion sickness.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: 6443913Abstract: A method and apparatus used for relieving motion sickness, in which a sensor senses a property of an object and a sensory converter coupled to the sensor converts the sensed motion to related sensory signals for presentation to a user. The sensory signals include, for example, audio signals, display signals, electronic stimulation, mechanical stimulation, white noise, etc. The audio, electrical and mechanical sensory signals have a variation in spectral emphasis related to the sensed motion, such as by varying a bandwidth, a center frequency, and an amplitude of a first range of the sensory signals. The display signals have a variation in a display characteristic and the audio tone signals have a variation in time intervals between successive audio tones. The audio tones may also include audio messages containing words. The sensory signals are used to resolve a conflict between vestibular, ocular, and proprioceptive inputs of the user, thus relieving motion sickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: 6306178Abstract: A prosthetic device includes an energy storing member, a lever member attached to the energy storing member, a rocking member and an energy transfer line. This line has a first end attached to a front end of the energy storing member and a second end attached to a back end of the lever member. The line has its middle portion attached to the rocking member. The energy storing member is preferably a leaf spring. This combination of elements in the prosthetic device may be a lower leg or foot for use by a below-the-knee amputee to simulate more closely the natural gait of a person while walking or running.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: FountainheadInventors: Bruce Kania, David Zimmerman
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Patent number: 6228021Abstract: A method and apparatus used for relieving motion sickness, wherein a sensor senses a motion of an object and a sensory converter coupled to the sensor and converts the sensed motion to corresponding sensory signals for presentation to a user. The sensory signals include audio signals, display signals, white noise signals, pink noise signals, brown noise signals, and audio tone signals The audio signals, white noise signals, pink noise signals, and brown noise sensory signals have a variation in spectral emphasis in proportion to the sensed motion, such as by varying a bandwidth, a center frequency, and an amplitude of a first range of the sensory signals. The display signals have a variation in a display characteristic and the audio tone signals have a variation in time intervals between successive audio tones. The audio tones may also include audio messages containing words.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: FountainheadInventor: Bruce Kania
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Publication number: 20010000459Abstract: A method and apparatus used for relieving motion sickness, wherein a sensor senses a motion of an object and a sensory converter coupled to the sensor and converts the sensed motion to corresponding sensory signals for presentation to a user. The sensory signals include audio signals, display signals, white noise signals, pink noise signals, brown noise signals, and audio tone signals The audio signals, white noise signals, pink noise signals, and brown noise sensory signals have a variation in spectral emphasis in proportion to the sensed motion, such as by varying a bandwidth, a center frequency, and an amplitude of a first range of the sensory signals. The display signals have a variation in a display characteristic and the audio tone signals have a variation in time intervals between successive audio tones. The audio tones may also include audio messages containing words.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: April 26, 2001Applicant: FOUNTAINHEADInventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: 6042533Abstract: A method and apparatus used for relieving motion sickness. The apparatus includes a sensor which detects a motion of an object and a sensory converter coupled to the sensor and configured to convert the detected motion to corresponding sensory signals for presentation to a user. In addition, the sensory signals have a variation in spectral emphasis in proportion to the detected motion. The sensory signals include video, audio and white noise signals and resolve a conflict between vestibular, ocular, and proprioceptive inputs of the user, thus relieving motion sickness.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: 5653768Abstract: A dual cantilevered leaf spring structure may provide a prosthesis for an amputee or supplement the feel and action of a human foot and lower leg. The structure is provided with separate limb members each attachable at its top shank to a mounting platform. The shanks are preferably rigid, but the limbs become resilient and spring-like as they extend away from their mounting. One limb terminates in a toe piece and the other a heel piece. A stump socket interface provides a mounting platform having a slot receptacle and set screw holders for each shank of a limb permits the point of support to be located high off the ground and permits height and, in some cases, cant adjustment. The use of composite or stranded graphite construction flat oval tubes allows minimal width combined with considerable shaping ability which is particularly desirable for constructing braces or structures providing non-prosthetic augmentation of natural walking, running and jumping movements in shoes or boots.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Bruce KaniaInventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: 5603122Abstract: A form fitting sleeve member for an amputee's residiuum which eliminates air pocket formation and skin irritation. The sleeve member has a bias pattern and a contoured form fit. The sleeve may have polymeric cushioning material arranged on its interior surface to provide an interface between an amputee's residuum and a prosthetic device.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: 4890128Abstract: This invention relates to a shock absorption device for absorbing recoil shock when a camera is mounted to an archery bow. The present invention includes a first mechanism which operates to absorb shock in a generally horizontal plane when the shooting device is being used for shooting and a second mechanism which operates to absorb shock in a generally vertical direction when the shooting device is being used. The two mechanisms operate independently of one another. The mechanism operating in the horizontal plane uses first and second planar members which have polished, greased, flat surfaces abutting each other in a mating relation which members are held together with a wide elastic band tightly encasing the perimeter of the two members. The two members slide relative to one another when the shock force is applied, and after the shock force subsides, the elastic band restores the two members to their normal static resting position.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: December 26, 1989Inventor: Bruce Kania
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Patent number: D310553Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: September 11, 1990Inventors: Bruce Kania, William Walker