Patents Issued in September 2, 2008
  • Patent number: PP19164
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bidens plant named ‘Fisbimex’, characterized by its semi-upright, outwardly spreading to somewhat trailing plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; early and freely flowering habit; large inflorescences with typically about eight dark yellow-colored ray florets; and moderately strong peduncles that hold the inflorescences above and beyond the foliar plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Birgit Christa Hofmann
  • Patent number: PP19165
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ipomoea plant named ‘Kyuikukan 4’, characterized by its compact and outwardly trailing growth habit and dark green-colored foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Suntory Flowers Ltd
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takahata, Masaru Yoshinaga, Hiroki Nakayama, Masaru Tanaka, Yoshinori Nakazawa, Toru Kumagai, Yumi Kai, Kenji Katayama, Tetsufumi Sakai, Yasuyuki Murakami, Kazunari Iwaki
  • Patent number: PP19166
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Fisimp Red’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading growth habit; mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; medium green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; large intense red-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Birgit Hofmann
  • Patent number: PP19167
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘PB1V2’, characterized by its compact, uniform, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; anemone-type inflorescences with pale yellow-colored ray florets and golden yellow-colored disc florets; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Amerinova Properties LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Cunneen
  • Patent number: PP19168
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Warm Yoigloo’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant habit; uniform and freely flowering habit; duplex-type inflorescences with obovate-shaped ray florets; orange bronze-colored ray florets; and natural season flowering about September 17th in the Northern Hemisphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Yoder Brothers Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Smith
  • Patent number: PP19169
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rose plant named ‘Evera160’, characterized by its upright and rounded plant habit; dark green-colored leaflets; freely branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; large double orange-colored flowers; flowers held upright on strong and erect peduncles; and good postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Roses Forever ApS
    Inventor: Rosa Eskelund
  • Patent number: PP19170
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Arctotis plant named ‘ARC406’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; relatively small leaves; single-type inflorescences with golden yellow-colored ray florets and disc florets that are nearly black in color; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Amerinova Properties LLC
    Inventor: Graham Noel Brown
  • Patent number: PP19171
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Fisupnic Pur’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading growth habit; mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous growth habit; medium green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; large bright purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Birgit Hofmann
  • Patent number: PP19172
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Fisnics Salice’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading growth habit; mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; large salmon pink and white bi-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Birgit Hofmann
  • Patent number: PP19173
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Fisimp Salm’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading growth habit; mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; medium green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; large salmon pink-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Birgit Hofmann
  • Patent number: PP19174
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Red Yoirvine’, characterized by its upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; freely branching and vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored foliage; uniform flowering response; early flowering habit, eight-week response time; freely flowering habit; daisy-type inflorescences with crimson red-colored ray florets; and good postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Yoder Brothers Inc.
    Inventor: Wendy R. Bergman
  • Patent number: PP19175
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysocephalum plant named ‘Flochryel’, characterized by its compact and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely flowering habit; inflorescences with dark yellow-colored disc florets; upright to pendulous flowering stems; and long flowering period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Floreta Pty. Ltd. as Trustees for Chrysocephalum Trust
    Inventor: Kerry Veianne Bunker
  • Patent number: PP19176
    Abstract: A new and distinct Torenia plant named ‘DANMOON20’ particularly characterized by plenty of delicate, funnel form, cup-shaped flowers with yellow petals and a purple throat; mounded bush, which maintains a compact, rounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; densely branched plant, gracefully cascading from hanging baskets; early flowering response and stays in full bloom in moderate climate; suitable as an annual for hanging pots outdoors under particular shade; and good weather tolerance with a preferred temperature range of 15° C. to 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Danziger “Dan” Flower Farm
    Inventor: Gabriel Danziger
  • Patent number: PP19177
    Abstract: A new Calibrachoa plant particularly distinguished by its trailing, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit, freely branching habit, freely flowering habit, single flowers that are very light purple with remarkable dark veins in color, and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Syngenta Seeds B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Simon Nicolaas Oud
  • Patent number: PP19178
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘Crispregal’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: S.A.R.L. Agro Selection Fruits
    Inventors: Arsene Maillard, Laurence Maillard
  • Patent number: PP19179
    Abstract: A new Petunia plant particularly distinguished by its trailing, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit, freely branching habit, freely flowering habit, single flowers that are purple-blue in color, and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Syngenta Seeds B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Simon Nicolaas Oud
  • Patent number: PP19180
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Solenostemon plant named ‘Balcinsu’, characterized by its red brown, green and yellow green-colored foliage and vigorous, upright growth habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ball Horticultural Company
    Inventor: Rolando Solano Ramirez
  • Patent number: PP19181
    Abstract: A Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) named ‘ABFSS,’ which has an upright fastigiate canopy and is capable of being reproduced reliably from vegetative cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Southern Selections, LLC
    Inventor: Dwayne C. Moon
  • Patent number: PP19182
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Agastache plant named ‘AGA 504’, characterized by its compact, upright and open plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous growth habit; long inflorescences with dark purple-colored flowers; freely and continuous flowering habit; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ernst Benary GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Mehring-Lemper
  • Patent number: RE40474
    Abstract: The sole comprises three layers, including (a) an outer or ground contact sole (7) having flexibility, ground-gripping, and abrasion-resistance properties, (b) an upper or comfort layer (8) positioned directly beneath the foot and having elastic shock-absorption properties, and (c) an intermediate layer or rib (9) positioned directly between the upper portion of the contact layer (7) and the lower portion of the comfort layer (8) and having torsional rigidity properties which provide both for the distribution of shocks sensed by the contact layer (7) and for their diffusion over the comfort layer (8) before they come into contact with the foot (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Quellais, Francois Girard
  • Patent number: RE40475
    Abstract: A method for seismic exploration using conversions between electromagnetic and seismic energy, with particular attention to the electromagnetic source waveform used. According to the invention, source waveforms are correlated with reference waveforms selected to minimize correlation side lobes. Line power at 60 Hz may be used to provide a waveform element which may be sequenced by a binary code to generate an extended source waveform segment with minimal correlation side lobes. Preferred binary codes include Golay complementary pairs and maximal length shift-register sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Scott C. Hornbostel, Arthur H. Thompson
  • Patent number: RE40476
    Abstract: A method and a communications system in which a request for data transmitted by an airborne transmitter over a low-bandwidth air-to-ground communication system uplink and received by a ground-based receiver. The requested data is then transmitted over a high-bandwidth communication system downlink, such as a DBS satellite system downlink, preferably using an MPEG-2 compression technique, and received by an airborne receiver located on the same aircraft as the airborne transmitter. The received request for data is transmitted to a data network that contains the requested data, such as the Internet or a private data network, using circuit-switched techniques. According to the invention, the requested data includes one of video information, audio information and textual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II, LLC
    Inventors: Ioan Leuca, Wen-Ping Ying
  • Patent number: RE40477
    Abstract: A system and method that efficiently, accurately, and simply detect reliably least-significant-bit (“LSB”) embedding of a secret message in randomly scattered pixels. The system and method apply to both 24-bit color images and 8-bit grayscale or color images. Many commercial steganographic programs use Least Significant Bit embedding (LSB) as the method of choice to hide messages in 24-bit, 8-bit color images and in grayscale images. They do so based on the common belief that changes to the LSBs of colors cannot be detected because of noise that is always present in digital images. By inspecting the differences in capacity for lossless (invertible) embedding in the LSB and the shifted LSB plane, the present invention reliably detects messages as short as 1% of the total number of pixels (assuming 1 bit per sample). The system and method of the present invention are fast, and they provide accurate estimates for the length of the embedded secret message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of SUNY
    Inventors: Jessica Fridrich, Miroslav Goljan
  • Patent number: RE40478
    Abstract: A valve pin for use in a melt channel in an injection molding machine. The valve pin has a valve pin body and at least one thermocouple substantially completely inside the valve pin body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventor: George Olaru
  • Patent number: RE40479
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides a record of the performance of an aircraft engine. A plurality of sensors sense engine conditions and generate engine data. A ground data link unit is positioned within the aircraft and receives the engine data and stores the engine data within an archival data store. A wideband spread spectrum transmitter that can be part of a transceiver downloads the engine data to a ground based spread spectrum receiver that can be part of a transceiver, and receives the wideband spread spectrum communication signal from the aircraft. It demodulates the wideband spread spectrum communication signal to obtain the engine data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wright, James J. Ziarno
  • Patent number: RE40480
    Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of fatty acid acyl groups of 12 to 30 carbon atoms and fatty alcohol groups of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, and wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of H, fatty acid acyl of 12 to 30 carbon atoms and fatty alcohol groups of 12 to 30 carbon atoms, the same as or different from R1, and the residue of a nutrient, drug, or other bioactive compound, and to the use of these compounds to deliver drugs and other bioactive compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Scarista Limited
    Inventors: Sherri Clarkson, Mehar Manku, Philip Knowles, Peter Redden, Andrea Pitt, Paul Bradley, Paul Wakefield, Austin McMordie, David B. Horrobin
  • Patent number: 7418738
    Abstract: A helmet mount includes a helmet block, a chassis attached to the helmet block, the chassis adapted to receive the night vision device, and a vertical adjustment assembly for vertically adjusting a night vision device relative to a user's eyes while the helmet mount is secured to the helmet and the night vision device is received in the helmet mount. The vertical adjustment assembly includes a front and back plate that are slidably connected, wherein the front plate is coupled to the chassis and the back plate is coupled to the helmet mount, and a gear drive system. Rotating a lever on the gear drive system rotates the gear so that the vertical position of the chassis is changed relative to the helmet block. The gear driven system further includes at least one biasing means placed between the front plate and the back plate and may include a tapered shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Norotos, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathon R. Prendergast
  • Patent number: 7418739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of clothing which has multi purpose and function. The present invention is in one form a reversible pocketed apron that converts into a general carry bag and a storage bag. The apron can be worn in several ways. The pockets are used for holding and storing items, tools and accessories. The apron can be further folded into a storage bag for convenient carry. The apron has at least one large rear pocket which forms main compartment of the bag and has carry handles on the pocket. A bib portion is provided which is retractable away from the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Agnes Chan
  • Patent number: 7418740
    Abstract: A versatile upper body garment formed of a stretchable fabric is configured to provide a variety of modes of wear with respect to head covering. A coat, jacket, shirt or vest has an integral hood which covers the wearer's head. Within the hood is an integral face shield which may be swung behind the wearer's head or neck when not covering the face, enabling protection of various portions of the face. The hood may be tightened to expose a variable extent of the head or face. The hood and face shield may be configured to be rolled into a hollow collar for storage when not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: LOKI, LLC
    Inventors: Seth I. Anderson, Douglas D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7418741
    Abstract: A patient garment for wearing during treatment or examination involving insertion of tubing at a body site which is suitable for street wear. A plurality of openable flaps allow access to particular body sites and loops attached to the garment adjacent each opening secure the tubing in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Bernadine Rogers
  • Patent number: 7418742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pants capable of lifting sagging buttocks when a user wears them, thereby giving a sense of comfort as well as a good appearance to the user. The pants include elastic first wings, wherein each one side of the first wings is seamed with both outer edges of the upper portion of a rear fabric panel in a longitudinal direction and the other side of each of the first wings is seamed with a front fabric panel along zipper seam lines, respectively, and second wings wherein each one side of the second wings is seamed, independent from the first wings, to the portions seamed with the first wings in a longitudinal direction and the other side of each of the second wings is seamed with each end of band stitched to both upper end portions of the front fabric panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Dae-kyu Yoo
  • Patent number: 7418743
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient groin protector for combat sports capable of reliably preventing the position of the plate-like rigid body of the groin protector body from being deviated during a match, and capable of wearing and taking off the groin protector in a short time. The groin protector comprises, for wearing the protector body, a waist belt made of inelastic band-like member which is attached such that the plate-like rigid body 1 is suspended and which is wound around and attached to a hip of the player M, and a surface fastener type belt retaining mechanism 3 which retains so that the waist belt 2 is not loosened in a state in which the waist belt 2 is wound around the hip of the player M and fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Takeshi Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 7418744
    Abstract: A float with a mesh over it floats on the surface of the water in a toilet bowl. The float is preferably toroidal and the mesh is held by the toroid by a distance above the water in the toilet. The toroidal float is preferably circular or tear drop shaped in cross section. The float and mesh arrangement reduces the noise created by a urine stream directed into the water in the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Eugene A. Smitherman
  • Patent number: 7418745
    Abstract: A juvenile playyard including a bassinet assembly mountable on a frame of the playyard and including a bassinet couplable to the frame in a use position across a portion of a top opening of the playyard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Chinawut Paul Paesang, Geoff Swales
  • Patent number: 7418746
    Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
  • Patent number: 7418747
    Abstract: A furniture member adapted to act as a versatile headboard is disclosed. The furniture member has a substantially vertical back member, two side members, a substantially vertical, lower front member and an angled front member collectively defining an interior space with the angled front member extending upward at a slope between the front lower member and a top edge of the vertical back member. The furniture member is placed against a mattress and box spring arrangement allowing people on the mattress to sit up by leaning against the angled front member. Adjustment of the angled front member is also disclosed. Use of the furniture member permits people to comfortably read, eat, use a laptop and conduct various other activities while in seated in bed. The furniture member also provides storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jason D. Myers
  • Patent number: 7418748
    Abstract: A sleeping structure includes a sleeping bag having a top layer having a top layer opening edge and a top layer sealed edge, and a bottom layer having a bottom layer opening edge and a bottom layer sealed edge. A first fastener releasably fastens the top layer opening edge and the bottom layer opening edge at a first attachment site. An enclosure bag is releasably coupled to the bottom layer and defines a mouth. An air mattress having a perimeter and including an inflatable portion is removably inserted into the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: North Pole Limited
    Inventor: Samuel F. Lamke
  • Patent number: 7418749
    Abstract: An equipment support includes an equipment supporting portion to support patient care equipment, a downwardly extending coupler coupled to the equipment supporting portion, an upper lock and a lower lock. The coupler has upper and lower portions configured for receipt in upper and lower sockets, respectively. The upper lock moves to a locking position to lock the upper portion to the upper socket as the lower lock moves to an unlocking position to unlock the lower portion from the lower socket. The upper lock moves to an unlocking position to unlock the upper portion from the upper socket as the lower lock moves to a locking position to lock the lower portion to the lower socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Graham, Michael E. Cerimele, Christian H. Reinke, David C. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 7418750
    Abstract: A patient support and software evaluate spinal instability by controlled isocentric rotation of the spine and measurement of rotation among vertebra to detect damaged vertebra having disproportionately large rotations. The patient support comprises a first support, adapted to support the shoulders of a patient, and a second rotatable support adapted to support the hips and legs of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Wisconcin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Victor M. Haughton, M. Elizabeth Meyerand, Baxter P. Rogers, Ryan Henry Sydnor, Anthony Carl Nelson, Jeremy Robert O'Brien, Brian Peter Asti, Rafael Davis Connemara, Michael John Hallam, Scott Richard Wiese, John Paul Puccinelli
  • Patent number: 7418751
    Abstract: An apparatus adjusts the pressures of a therapeutic mattress surface in accordance with the angular position of that surface. The apparatus comprises an angular position sensor and a rotation sensor which are housed together in an enclosure having a top surface in the form of a circular plate. The circular plate mounts either on the surface of the mattress or on the bottom of a bed frame supporting the mattress. The angular position and rotation sensors measure the horizontal plane referenced perpendicular to the direction of the force of gravity. The apparatus further comprises a controller blower valve assembly which processes data received from the angular position and rotation sensors to maintain, increase, or decrease the pressures within the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Bartlett, Randall L. Ohman, Dan G. Dimitriu
  • Patent number: 7418752
    Abstract: A mattress insert including a substantially flat bottom surface configured to rest on a mattress and a concave portion formed in a support base opposite the flat bottom surface. The concave portion includes a recessed area between a head rest area and a leg rest area. The head rest area and leg rest area are at opposite ends of the concave portion. The head rest area and the leg rest area have a height greater than the recessed area such that the infant's head and legs are elevated. The substantially flat bottom surface of the support base extends from the head rest area to the leg rest area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Leslie Gudel Kemm
  • Patent number: 7418753
    Abstract: A one-sided mattress construction includes a spring assembly with asymmetric spring coils. Only the bottom portion of each spring coil is attached, either to adjacent spring coils or to a bottom surface of the mattress. The top portion of each spring may have a narrowing taper that permits the top to move independent of other adjacent springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd
    Inventors: Bernhard W. Kuchel, Michael S. DeFranks
  • Patent number: 7418754
    Abstract: A system for controlling a door of a drum type washing machine is provided. This system allows the door to be opened only if there is no water in the washing tub, or if the water level in the tub is very low, so as to prevent water in the tub from cascading out of the washing machine when the door is opened. A water level in the washing tub is sensed, and the sensed water level is compared to a reference water level. The door is locked or unlocked based on the comparison of the sensed water level and the reference water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gon Kim, Yu Beom Kang, Sang Man Je
  • Patent number: 7418755
    Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcerations by lowering the maximum peak pressure imposed upon the foot. The walker has a hard unyielding shell which is designed for walking. The shell closely and rigidly supports a mid-sole in a foot-shaped bed. The mid-sole has a foot-shaped cavity with rounded sides adapted to form resilient support for the heel, arch and sides of a foot in addition to the bottom of a foot. A conformable inner-sole is adapted to fit over the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole and be compressed in response to foot pressure between the sides and bottom of the foot and the sides and bottom of the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole thereby compensating for small differences between the shape of the foot and the shape of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 7418756
    Abstract: A fastener thread cleaning apparatus includes a first arm and a second arm each having a first end and a second end. The first and second arms are pivotally coupled together adjacent to the first ends to define a pair of jaws. An abutting side of each of the of the first and second arms is defined and abut each other when the pair of jaws is positioned in the closed position. Each of the of the abutting sides has a semi-circular depression therein. The depressions are alignable to define an aperture, which is threaded. The pair of jaws may be closed around a bolt to threadably engage the bolt with the aperture. The pair of jaws is positioned between a head and an end of the bolt and the bolt rotated to move the pair of jaws toward the end of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Raul G. Ortega
  • Patent number: 7418757
    Abstract: A toothbrush assembly comprises a toothbrush, a storage unit comprising an input, a memory for storing audio signals received via the input, and an output for transmitting or playing the stored audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzerneyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Evan Ward, Jim Michaels
  • Patent number: 7418758
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a baseboard of a wall generally comprises an extendable handle to which a friction decreasing device such as a wheel, an adsorbent/desorbent pad and a pad compression device are assembled in a manner such that the lower end of said apparatus can be immersed in a bucket of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jorge Avila
  • Patent number: 7418759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush with a neck piece and a brush body, comprising a head piece connected thereto, conventional bristles and at least one soft elastic cleaning element. According to the invention, the conventional bristles are mounted on a support element made from hard plastic. The above is connected to the brush body by means of a recess on the head piece which matches the support element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged on the head piece and directly connected to the brush body. The invention further relates to a method for production of such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Beat Huber, Franz Fischer
  • Patent number: 7418760
    Abstract: A multi-functional tool for use on flat or curved surfaces, comprising a flexible hand-held member characterized by a plurality of undulations formed in the member and having a plurality of edges and surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Betty Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 7418761
    Abstract: A sponge for cleaning a vehicular grille has a multilayered polyester polyol-based polyurethane wherein the upper and lower layers are each a flexible polyester polyurethane foam and the central or medial layer is a reticulated polyurethane foam. The layers are bonded together. The sponge has a first serrated side edge and an opposed semicircular side edge enabling at least one edges to be inserted into the interstices of an automotive grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: John W. Armaly, Jr.