Patents by Inventor Mark W.L. Smith

Mark W.L. Smith 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: 9095176
    Abstract: A stretchable seamless underwear is operable to be donned by a wearer and includes a seamless knitted fabric receptacle. The receptacle includes integrally knitted front and back panels that each present opposite side margins, with each side margin of the front panel being seamlessly joined to a corresponding side margin of the back panel so that the panels cooperatively form a passage through the receptacle. The receptacle is knitted with a high-stretch yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Knit-Rite, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Roberts, Jeffrey C. Dalbey, Mark W. L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140238085
    Abstract: A compression shirt operable to apply compression to the torso of a wearer. The compression shirt broadly includes a knitted tubular fabric receptacle to be received on the torso of the wearer. The receptacle is knitted of core-spun yarn. The receptacle is generally undersized in an unstretched condition relative to the torso, such that the receptacle is resiliently stretched when the shirt is donned to thereby apply a compressive force to the torso. The receptacle includes integrally knitted front and back sections that cooperatively form a pair of spaced apart shoulder caps. The receptacle includes a neck opening and a pair of arm openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KNIT-RITE, INC.
    Inventor: Mark W. L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8234885
    Abstract: A gradient compression article with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a limb-receiving section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The limb-receiving section includes a tubular distal portion and a tubular proximal portion. The limb-receiving section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The limb-receiving section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the article changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the article is donned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Knit-Rite, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. L. Smith, Jeffrey C. Dalbey
  • Publication number: 20120084903
    Abstract: A stretchable seamless underwear is operable to be donned by a wearer and includes a seamless knitted fabric receptacle. The receptacle includes integrally knitted front and back panels that each present opposite side margins, with each side margin of the front panel being seamlessly joined to a corresponding side margin of the back panel so that the panels cooperatively form a passage through the receptacle. The receptacle is knitted with a high-stretch yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KNIT-RITE, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Roberts, Jeffrey C. Dalbey, Mark W. L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110146352
    Abstract: A gradient compression article with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a limb-receiving section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The limb-receiving section includes a tubular distal portion and a tubular proximal portion. The limb-receiving section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The limb-receiving section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the article changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the article is donned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: KNIT-RITE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. L. Smith, Jeffrey C. Dalbey
  • Patent number: 7895863
    Abstract: Gradient compression hosiery with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a stocking section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The stocking section includes a tubular foot portion and a tubular leg portion. The stocking section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The stocking section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the hosiery changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the hosiery is donned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Knit-Rite, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. L. Smith, Jeffrey C. Dalbey
  • Publication number: 20100005568
    Abstract: Gradient compression hosiery with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a stocking section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The stocking section includes a tubular foot portion and a tubular leg portion. The stocking section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The stocking section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the hosiery changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the hosiery is donned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: KNIT-RITE, INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. L. Smith, Jeffrey C. Dalbey
  • Patent number: 7575561
    Abstract: An above knee shrinker includes a tubular fabric receptacle that encloses and applies therapeutic compression to the residual limb of a human trans-femoral lower-leg amputee. The shrinker includes a constricting element, and a moveably coupled waist belt. The receptacle is configured to present an overhanging portion that extends below the distal end of the residual limb and is able to be doubled-over at least a portion of the residual limb to apply additional compression thereto. The receptacle is configured to provide an improved U-shaped perineal opening. The receptacle is formed of a latex-free core spun yarn and spandex material that is comfortably stretchable in at least first and second substantially transverse directions. The waist belt presents an adjustable self-fastening mechanism, and the constricting element presents a sliding-ring that receives the overhanging portion and constricts the receptacle adjacent the distal end of the residual limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Knit Rite, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. L. Smith, Jeffrey C. Dalbey, Frederick B. Lanier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6652596
    Abstract: A suspension aid for appending an above-knee prosthesis to a human body. The suspension aid is integrally formed of a resilient fabric having a warp knit leno, or equivalent, construction. The belt portion of the suspension aid extends substantially horizontally around the intertrochanteric region of the pelvis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Mark W.L. Smith, Elcia H. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20020111575
    Abstract: A suspension aid for appending an above-knee prosthesis to a human body. The suspension aid is integrally formed of a resilient fabric having a warp knit leno, or equivalent, construction. The belt portion of the suspension aid extends substantially horizontally around the intertrochanteric region of the pelvis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Mark W.L. Smith, Elcia H. Thompson