Patents by Inventor Kenneth I. Aston

Kenneth I. Aston 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).

  • Patent number: 11401552
    Abstract: Methods are provided of identifying a male fertility condition in a subject. Methods of performing a fertility treatment and an in vitro fertilization procedure are also provided. The methods may comprise determining the DNA methylation pattern of DNA extracted from a semen sample of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, The University of Southern California
    Inventors: Douglas T. Carrell, Bradley Cairns, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy Jenkins, Andrew David Smith, Philip James Uren, Alan Horsager
  • Patent number: 11206822
    Abstract: A vented, waterproof container is disclosed. The container may include a base and a cover. The cover may pivotably engage the base and pivot with respect to the base through a range of motion. The range of motion may include a closed position wherein the cover and base cooperate to form an enclosure. One or more apertures may pass through at least one of the base and the cover. At least one membrane may cover the one or more apertures. The at least one membrane may be permeable to water vapor and impermeable to liquid water. Accordingly, the at least one membrane may block liquid water from entering the container through the one or more apertures yet permit water vapor to escape the container through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10694731
    Abstract: A system and method for retaining and storing selected items is disclosed. The system may include a first hub, a second hub, a gap between the first and second hubs, and first and second flanges formed of an elastomeric material. The first flange may connect to the first hub and extend away therefrom and into the gap. Similarly, the second flange may connect to the second hub and extend away therefrom and into the gap. An item to be stored may be inserted into the gap between the first and second hubs. This inserting may deflect the first and second flanges. The resilience of the first and second flanges may hold the item in place within the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Gruv Fishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20200045950
    Abstract: A system for securing items such as fishing hooks is disclosed. The system may include an elastomeric material having a slit formed therein. The elastomeric material may be compressed across the slit in order to reduce the width of the slit. A substrate with extensions may hold the elastomeric material in this compressed state. While the elastomeric material is held in the compressed state, an item such as a fishing hook may be inserted into the slit. The compression may enable the slit to securely grip the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10299468
    Abstract: A method for forming a system for securing items such as fishing hooks is disclosed. The method may include molding an elastomeric material to include a slit therein. Once formed, the elastomeric material may be compressed across the slit in order to reduce the width of the slit. While held in a compressed state, an item such as a fishing hook may be inserted into the slit. The compression may enable the slit to securely grip the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Tacky Fishing, LLC
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20190112659
    Abstract: Methods are provided of identifying a male fertility condition in a subject. Methods of performing a fertility treatment and an in vitro fertilization procedure are also provided. The methods may comprise determining the DNA methylation pattern of DNA extracted from a semen sample of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas T. Carrell, Bradley Cairns, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy Jenkins, Andrew David Smith, Philip James Uren, Alan Horsager
  • Publication number: 20190059348
    Abstract: A vented, waterproof container is disclosed. The container may include a base and a cover. The cover may pivotably engage the base and pivot with respect to the base through a range of motion. The range of motion may include a closed position wherein the cover and base cooperate to form an enclosure. One or more apertures may pass through at least one of the base and the cover. At least one membrane may cover the one or more apertures. The at least one membrane may be permeable to water vapor and impermeable to liquid water. Accordingly, the at least one membrane may block liquid water from entering the container through the one or more apertures yet permit water vapor to escape the container through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20190048418
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and diagnostic tests, including test kits for assessing an offspring's risk of developing a disease or condition known or suspected to have a causal or contributing relationship to an age related epigenetic event in a paternal germ line are disclosed and described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas T. Carrell, Bradley R. Cairns, Timothy G. Jenkins, Kenneth I. Aston
  • Publication number: 20180343844
    Abstract: A system and method for retaining and storing selected items is disclosed. The system may include a first hub, a second hub, a gap between the first and second hubs, and first and second flanges formed of an elastomeric material. The first flange may connect to the first hub and extend away therefrom and into the gap. Similarly, the second flange may connect to the second hub and extend away therefrom and into the gap. An item to be stored may be inserted into the gap between the first and second hubs. This inserting may deflect the first and second flanges. The resilience of the first and second flanges may hold the item in place within the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9913463
    Abstract: A method for forming a fishing-hook-retention system is disclosed. The method may include molding a sheet of silicone rubber to include at least one indentation. The at least one indentation may extend at least partially through a thickness of the sheet of silicone rubber. After the molding, at least one slit may be cut into the sheet of silicone rubber. The at least one slit may have one end terminating in the at least one indentation. Thereafter, the sheet of silicone rubber may be used to retain and storing one or more fishing hooks. This may be accomplished by placing at least a portion of a fishing hook within the at least one slit. The sheet silicone rubber may therefore grip the fishing hook and prevent it from falling out of the at least one slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tacky Fishing LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins, Eric E. Aston
  • Publication number: 20180042209
    Abstract: A method for forming a system for securing items such as fishing hooks is disclosed. The method may include molding an elastomeric material to include a slit therein. Once formed, the elastomeric material may be compressed across the slit in order to reduce the width of the slit. While held in a compressed state, an item such as a fishing hook may be inserted into the slit. The compression may enable the slit to securely grip the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Aston, Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20160205913
    Abstract: A method for forming a fishing-hook-retention system is disclosed. The method may include molding a sheet of silicone rubber to include at least one indentation. The at least one indentation may extend at least partially through a thickness of the sheet of silicone rubber. After the molding, at least one slit may be cut into the sheet of silicone rubber. The at least one slit may have one end terminating in the at least one indentation. Thereafter, the sheet of silicone rubber may be used to retain and storing one or more fishing hooks. This may be accomplished by placing at least a portion of a fishing hook within the at least one slit. The sheet silicone rubber may therefore grip the fishing hook and prevent it from falling out of the at least one slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth I. Aston, Timothy G. Jenkins, Eric E. Aston
  • Publication number: 20160208327
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and diagnostic tests, including test kits for assessing an offspring's risk of developing a disease or condition known or suspected to have a causal or contributing relationship to an age related epigenetic event in a paternal germ line are disclosed and described
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas T. CARRELL, Bradley R. CAIRNS, Timothy G. JENKINS, Kenneth I. ASTON