Patents by Inventor Nicholas D. Gerber

Nicholas D. Gerber 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: 8019675
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an exchange traded fund (ETF) that tracks the price of one or more commodities. The exchange traded fund may include a commodity pool with units representing ownership interests in the commodity pool. The commodity pool may sell these units to authorized participants, who can subsequently sell these units to or repurchase these units from investors via a stock market exchange. Likewise, the commodity pool can redeem these units from the authorized participants. The commodity pool may be subject to margin requirements. The commodity pool can satisfy this margin requirement by depositing U.S. Treasuries or other cash and near-cash equivalents. In addition, the commodity pool may be substantially non-leveraged such that the assets of the commodity pool do not exceed the assets of the commodity pool. A portion of the non-margined assets may be invested in U.S. Treasuries and other interest-bearing securities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: United States Commodity Funds LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Gerber
  • Patent number: 7739186
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an exchange traded fund (ETF) that tracks the price of one or more commodities, including oil. The exchange traded fund may include a commodity pool with units representing ownership interests in the commodity pool. The commodity pool may sell these units to authorized participants, who can subsequently sell these units to or repurchase these units from investors via a stock market exchange. Likewise, the commodity pool can redeem these units from the authorized participants. The commodity pool invests in short-term oil futures contracts, which may be subject to margin requirements. The commodity pool can satisfy this margin requirement by depositing U.S. Treasuries or other cash and near-cash equivalents. In addition, the commodity pool may be substantially non-leveraged such that the assets of the commodity pool do not exceed the assets of the commodity pool. A portion of the non-margined assets may be invested in U.S. Treasuries and other interest-bearing securities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: United States Commodity Funds LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Gerber