Patents by Inventor Paul B. Thomas

Paul B. Thomas 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: 10547340
    Abstract: A mobile phone case includes an integrated charging and data communication apparatus, thereby forgoing the need to carry a separate charging and communication cable. The mobile phone case further includes an integrated cable storage compartment for storing the charging and data communication apparatus. The charging and communication apparatus includes a circuit board for electrically connecting a USB connector and a Lightning connector. A first flat cable has one end connected to the USB connector and the other end connect to the circuit board. A second flat cable has one end connected to the Lightning connector and the other end connected to the circuit board to provide electrically connection between the USB connector and the Lightning connector. The storage compartment further includes a USB side slot, a Lightning bottom slot, and a lid for opening and closing the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: U-Charge LLC
    Inventors: Nicole Daghighian, Farhad Daghighian, Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10307120
    Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner in which a horizontal detector ring is arranged to be moved vertically up and down by a lifting mechanism, thereby eliminating the need for a patient to be in a supine position when performing PET or other types of image scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Prescient Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Farhad Daghighian
  • Patent number: 9056037
    Abstract: A two layer air support apparatus having at least two preformed air node circuits, where a top layer is radio frequency welded to a bottom layer for providing cyclic support to periodically shift pressure between different parts of a user's anatomy. The periodic shifting of the area supported by a user's anatomy over a period of time improves comfort and blood circulation. It is well known that periodic redistribution of skin pressure can help prevent some of the negative effects experienced through extended usage of beds and chairs. Additionally, enhancement of health and cosmetic improvement to vigorous individuals is suggested by the periodic shifting of supported anatomy due to improved rest from the benefits of a cyclic air support apparatus that has reduced complexity and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8966703
    Abstract: An improved shock absorbing tool utilizing a push and pull action to absorb the reciprocation movement of the tool. A forward blade member has a wedge head and a shaft connected to a proximal end of the head. An insert is press-fitted within a handgrip, wherein the insert receives the shaft of the forward blade member. A rear blade member has a sleeve with a wedge blade and connected to a proximal end of the sleeve and extends downwardly away from the sleeve. The sleeve surrounds a portion of the shaft of the forward blade member. The coil spring surrounds a portion of the shaft of the forward blade member and located between the proximal end of the head and rests within the sleeve for absorbing the impact force of the reciprocation movement the forward blade member and the rear blade member. The O-ring is placed between the proximal end of the head and the upper end of the coil spring to further absorbs the impact force of the forward and rear blade members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8312589
    Abstract: A push and pull shock absorbing scraper for selective scraping by a push and pull action includes an upper and lower scraper members for scraping ice, snow and frost from windows of a vehicle. The upper scraper member includes a head portion and a shaft portion, where head portion has a scraper blade. The lower scraper member is attached to the shaft portion of the upper scraper member to provide a double push scraping action. The lower scraper member includes a flexible front push blade, a rear pull blade and an attachment portion, where the attachment portion is attached to the shaft portion of the upper scraper member. The handgrip has a bore, where the insert is press-fitted within the bore of the handgrip and a pair of opposite protruding tabs extending outward for preventing transverse movement of the shaft portion of the scraper within the bore of the handgrip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8216291
    Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus for providing therapeutic benefits to an immersed body part due to contact with a heated or unheated homogenous medium. The therapeutic apparatus includes at least two vibration generators for generating two waveforms at two distinct areas of the vibratory vessel, where the two waveforms are converging on each other and combined together to create a constructive and destructive pulse waveform having a larger constructive amplitude than the amplitude of the original wave and a smaller destructive amplitude than the amplitude of the original wave for providing a constructive and destructive pulse wave massaging effect to the body part of the user immersed within the homogenous medium contained within the vibratory vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Robert D. Leventhal, Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7469444
    Abstract: A shock absorbing ice scraper for scraping ice, snow and frost from windows of a vehicle includes a head portion and a shaft portion, where head portion has a scraper blade. The handgrip has a bore, where the insert is press-fitted within the bore of the handgrip and a pair of opposite protruding tabs extending outward for preventing transverse movement of the shaft portion of the scraper within the bore of the handgrip. The coil spring is located between the head portion and the handgrip for absorbing the impact force of the reciprocation movement of the head portion of the scraper. The O-ring is located between the head portion and the coil spring to further absorbs the impact force of the head portion of the scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventor: Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6666743
    Abstract: A hollow rotatable member preferably made from a clear plastic material and a hollow cover are attached to each other in a spinning top. A ring is disposed within the top on the cover at a position of the top's substantially maximum diameter to provide stability and inertia to the top during the top's rotation, thereby significantly increasing the top's spinning time. A cap fits tightly on the upper portion of the rotatable member. A strap having teeth defining a rack gear extends through an aperture in the cap and engages a pinion gear in the aperture. When the strap is pulled from the aperture, the pinion gear rotates and causes the top to spin. Because of the tight fit between the top and the cap, the top can be thrown outwardly and downwardly toward a support surface and can be spinning as it reaches the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sport Fun, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrie L. Polare, Daniel T. Hoffman, Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Patent number: 6632188
    Abstract: An air foot massaging apparatus for massaging and stimulating tired feet, and thereby creating beneficial physiological effects throughout the body and including a pair of boot shaped structures for adapting to the user's feet or a unitary fluid-tight container for retaining fluid therein and adapting to a user's feet. Each boot shaped structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes which engage with the user's foot, a compressor to inflate or deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user's feet, a vibration motor for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user's feet, and a control mechanism for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Publication number: 20030077977
    Abstract: A hollow rotatable member preferably made from a clear plastic material and a hollow cover are attached to each other in a spinning top. A ring is disposed within the top on the cover at a position of the top's substantially maximum diameter to provide stability and inertia to the top during the top's rotation, thereby significantly increasing the top's spinning time. A cap fits tightly on the upper portion of the rotatable member. A strap having teeth defining a rack gear extends through an aperture in the cap and engages a pinion gear in the aperture. When the strap is pulled from the aperture, the pinion gear rotates and causes the top to spin. Because of the tight fit between the top and the cap, the top can be thrown outwardly and downwardly toward a support surface and can be spinning as it reaches the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Carrie L. Polare, Daniel T. Hoffman, Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Patent number: 6551450
    Abstract: An air and sonic massaging apparatus for providing an improved massaging effect with opposing lower air nodes beneath the upper air nodes in order to provide the user with greater displacement when patterned inflation and deflation of the device occurs. The apparatus includes an air device and a sonic device which is located underneath the air device. The air and sonic massaging apparatus inhibits turning forces and sideway motions, and keeps the motion more linear and at a higher consistent force. The apparatus has separate air flow circuits that provide alternating or conjoined patterns of inflation and deflation on a single device. The sonic device includes a sonic transducer that creates acoustic waves generated by a rigid transmission plate through movement by the translation of significant solid mass. The sonic device provides high magnitudes of acoustic energy to the directly coupled air device or directly coupled to the user's body air cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Patent number: 6546579
    Abstract: A conforming air and foam support device for providing support to a body or a body part of an individual, where the conforming shape of the support device suspends the foam in order to cradle the body or the body part of the individual sitting or resting on the support device. The support device has an air bladder structure with at least one central opening and at least two foam slab members being slightly longer and wider than the air bladder structure. The air bladder structure is sandwiched between the at least two slab members, where the two foam slab members are bonded to the air bladder structure in the deflated condition as well to each other at the central opening to form the conforming air and foam support device. Once the air bladder structure is inflated, the upper foam slab member forms at least one concave surface while the lower foam slab member forms at least one convex surface at the central portions in order to cradle the body or the body part of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Robert D. Leventhal, Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6547911
    Abstract: A method of forming and sealing a fluid or air structure which includes a plurality of opposing fluid nodes and a plurality of fluid channels which are respectively and integrally connected to the plurality of opposing fluid nodes, where the opposing fluid nodes form an upper matrix surface and a lower matrix surface that are both supportive and pliable with minimal surface tension and can be used in many applications, such as seating devices, sleeping devices, massage and therapeutic devices, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Patent number: 6440092
    Abstract: A harmonic vibration massage device for generating harmonic vibrations and including a transmitting plate and at least two vibration generators mounted underneath the transmitting plate. The transmitting plate has a plurality of protruding fingertips thereto. The at least two vibration generators generate two distinct vibrations at two distinct areas on the transmitting plate, where the two distinct vibrations are coupled together to produce harmonic vibrations such that the harmonic vibrations are transmitted to and through the transmitting plate which in turn is transmitted to and through the plurality of fingertips and the body part positioned on the massage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Robert D. Leventhal, Paul B. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020091344
    Abstract: An air foot massaging apparatus for massaging and stimulating tired feet, and thereby creating beneficial physiological effects throughout the body and including a pair of boot shaped structures for adapting to the user's feet or a unitary fluid-tight container for retaining fluid therein and adapting to a user's feet. Each boot shaped structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes which engage with the user's foot, a compressor to inflate or deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user's feet, a vibration motor for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user's feet, and a control mechanism for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Publication number: 20020020486
    Abstract: A method of forming and sealing a fluid or air structure which includes a plurality of opposing fluid nodes and a plurality of fluid channels which are respectively and integrally connected to the plurality of opposing fluid nodes, where the opposing fluid nodes form an upper matrix surface and a lower matrix surface that are both supportive and pliable with minimal surface tension and can be used in many applications, such as seating devices, sleeping devices, massage and therapeutic devices, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Patent number: 6273866
    Abstract: A cuff apparatus, comprising a cushioning device, is adapted to be releasably wrapped around a body part of an individual in order to massage the body part. The cuff has two ends which include cooperating hook and loop fasteners. The cushioning device has first and second air support structures, where each support structure has alternating offset air glands. One of the two support structures has alternating apertures, wherein the alternating air glands of one of the two support structures are respectively inserted into the alternating offset apertures to form a matrix surface arrangement of the cushioning device. The air cushioning device creates a massaging effect by rapidly inflating the air glands of one of the two support structures while rapidly deflating the air glands of the other one of the two support structures, thereby creating a massaging effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert Leventhal
  • Publication number: 20010008029
    Abstract: An air massager cushioning device that not only support a weight of an individual who sits or rests on the air massager cushioning device with minimal surface tension but also creates a massaging effect on the body part of the individual positioned on the cushioning device. The cushioning device has first and second air support structures, where each support structure has alternating offset air glands. One of the two support structures has alternating apertures, wherein the alternating air glands of one of the two support structures are respectively inserted into the alternating offset apertures to form a matrix surface arrangement of the cushioning device. The air cushioning device creates a massaging effect by rapidly inflating the air glands of one of the two support structures while rapidly deflating the air glands of the other one of the two support structures, thereby creating a massaging effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert Leventhal
  • Publication number: 20010004678
    Abstract: A vibration massage device is used for generating vibrations to a transmitting plate which in turn generates vibrations to a plurality of protruding fingertips and the body part positioned on the fingertips for providing an improved massaging effect on the body part. The vibration massage device is further used in conjunction with a fluid filled bladder, where the fluid filled bladder is positioned on top or underneath the transmitting plate for creating increased pressure from the protruding fingertips against the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Robert D. Leventhal, Paul B. Thomas
  • Patent number: D694480
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: EDIC
    Inventor: Paul B. Thomas