Patents Issued in December 21, 2010
  • Dust collector
    Patent number: D629576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Tai Cheng
  • Vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: D629577
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hoover Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Anthony Denny Bassett, Klaus Fiorino
  • Paint scraper handle
    Patent number: D629578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: IBT Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Francisco Molina
  • Pedal bin
    Patent number: D629579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Viktor Lin
  • Dolly
    Patent number: D629580
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: JPJ Investments Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Artem Kalajyan
  • Tray for utility cart
    Patent number: D629581
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: NMTC, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Smith
  • Transportation device for plants to be used in a greenhouse
    Patent number: D629582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Plantagon International AB
    Inventor: Åke Olsson
  • Belt for sling
    Patent number: D629583
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Liko Research & Development AB
    Inventor: Barbro Liljedahl
  • Plush urn for animal remains
    Patent number: D629584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Connie S. Riehl
  • Data-processing system
    Patent number: D629585
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bleck, Udo Hesselbach, Bernd Kruse, Gregor Pollmann
  • Hybrid tea rose plant named ‘ORAclelon’
    Patent number: PP21577
    Abstract: A new variety of Hybrid Tea rose suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of warm apricot coloration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre Orard
  • Apple tree named ‘Burnett cultivar’
    Patent number: PP21578
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree, Malus domestica, denominated Burnett Cultivar, which is similar to Obrogala Cultivar (also known as ‘Ultrared Gala’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,621) but which has an earlier harvest maturity date, less sugar at harvest, and less starch at harvest than ‘Ultrared Gala’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Pat Burnett
  • Tangerine tree named ‘Parga No. 2’
    Patent number: PP21579
    Abstract: A new distinct variety of tangerine tree characterized by producing a small to medium size fruit that is mature for harvesting and shipping in mid October about nine to ten days earlier than ‘Clementine’ mandarin and with good flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Silvestre Arias
  • Mandarin orange tree named ‘GARBI’
    Patent number: PP21580
    Abstract: A new and distinct triploid Citrus hybrida cultivar is provided that is the product of controlled cross-pollination of two diploid parental plants. The new cultivar forms attractive obloid-shaped late-maturing substantially seedless fruit having an excellent mildly acidic flavor and a pleasant aroma. The leaves are dark green in coloration. The growth habit is vigorous and drooping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Instituto Valenciano De Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA)
    Inventors: Luis Navarro, José Juárez, Pablo Aleza, José Cuenca, José Manuel Julve, José Antonio Pina
  • Mandarin orange tree named ‘Safor’
    Patent number: PP21581
    Abstract: A new and distinct triploid Citrus hybrida cultivar is provided that is the product of controlled cross-pollination of two diploid parental plants. The new cultivar forms attractive seedless obloid-shaped, medium-late-maturing fruit with a convex base having an excellent mildly acidic flavor. The leaves are dark green in coloration. The growth habit is vigorous and erect-drooping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA)
    Inventors: Luis Navarro, José Juárez, Pablo Aleza, José Cuenca, José Manuel Julve, José Antonio Pina
  • tree named ‘G1’
    Patent number: PP21582
    Abstract: A new Eucalyptus grandis tree particularly distinguished by having a fast growth rate, average frost tolerance, and good coppicing properties, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Rockwood
  • plant named ‘Evipo016’
    Patent number: PP21583
    Abstract: A new Clematis plant with a compact growth habit and profuse red flowers with a red and white flower centre and continuous summer flowering. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for cultivation in commercial nursery and glasshouse culture. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation from vegetative cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Poulson Roser A/S
    Inventors: Mogens N. Olesen, Raymond J. Evison
  • plant named ‘Gendipsa’
    Patent number: PP21584
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Mandevilla plant named ‘Gendipsa’ that is characterized by double red purple flowers, medium green elliptical shaped leaves and a compact growth habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Willi Endisch Gbr
    Inventor: Gerd Endisch
  • Coleus plant named ‘UF0646’
    Patent number: PP21585
    Abstract: ‘UF0646’ is a new coleus plant distinguished by having excellent red-magenta color in both sunny and shady locations. It appears more rose-red under high light intensities, and has exceptional branching and growth habit, and good sun and heat tolerance. It has desirable characteristics that allow it to retain its leaves in the garden landscape for an extended period of time during the normal growth season compared to most coleus varieties. It is an excellent variety for commercial production due to excellent adventitious rooting characteristics of vegetative propagules (cuttings), and subsequent vigorous growth in greenhouse conditions. ‘UF0646’ has proven to be an excellent performing variety in preliminary outdoor trials across the United States, and should be an excellent choice to add vibrant long lasting annual red color to gardens across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Clark, Phuong N. Nguyen
  • plant named ‘BINSUGPLU’
    Patent number: PP21586
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ajuga plant named ‘BINSUGPLU’ which exhibits a compact mat-forming habit comprised of short internodes and contrasting foliage as between the deep pink to purple color of the newly emerged leaves and the gray-green color of the mature leaves. In addition, the leaves of ‘BINSUGPLU’ are rounded and thick, and exhibit a slight pewter-like metallic sheen. In combination, these traits set ‘BINSUGPLU’ apart from all other existing varieties of Ajuga known to the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Mike Tristram
  • plant named ‘Bethshebalee’
    Patent number: PP21587
    Abstract: A new and distinct Gaillardia grandiflora cultivar named ‘Bethshebalee’ is disclosed, characterized by full flowers, with many petals, and producing many flowers per plant. The new variety is a Gaillardia, suitable for outdoor and container gardens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jean Sorenson
  • Assisted power-up and hand off system and method
    Patent number: RE42003
    Abstract: The invention provides for an improved method and system of registration and hand-off procedures for a mobile node in a packet-based communication network. The present invention obtains expanded addresses over past systems. The invention can also use serving mobility managers to obtain a care-of address to route data-packets while on the foreign sub-network. The invention improves efficiency and reduces message overhead during registration and hand-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ericsson AB
    Inventors: Mohamed Khalil, Haseeb Akhtar, Krishnakumar Pillai, Emad A. Qaddoura
  • Method for fabricating a semiconductor storage device having an increased dielectric film area
    Patent number: RE42004
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention is a semiconductor memory having a charge storage film. Recesses or holes which effectively increase the capacitance of a floating gate or a memory cell capacitor are formed in the charge storage film. These recesses or holes are formed at the same time the floating gate electrode or the lower electrode of the capacitor is isolated into the form of islands. A dielectric film and a polysilicon film is formed on the isolated island floating gate electrodes or lower electrodes. These recesses or holes increase the surface area of the dielectric film and improve the write and erase characteristics of a memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Fumitaka Sugaya
  • Protective garments that provide thermal protection
    Patent number: 7854017
    Abstract: A thermally protective fabric includes a composition of inherently flame resistant fibers, and interstices having insulating pockets of air, wherein at least some of the air is incorporated into the interstices through a mechanical working process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Andrew Laton
  • Golf glove patch system
    Patent number: 7854018
    Abstract: A golf glove patch system has a backing sheet fabricated of a plastic material, a patch with a lower and an upper surface and with a peripheral edge taking a geometric shape, and an adhesive secured to the lower surface of the patch adjacent to its peripheral edge with a central free of adhesive. The patch is temporarily coupled to the backing sheet through the adhesive and is adapted to be removed from the backing sheet and placed on the glove and secured to the glove by the adhesive. The central extent of the patch is over a tear in the glove and is in contact with a portion of a user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Kurt A. Meske
  • Garment accessory
    Patent number: 7854019
    Abstract: A garment accessory for attachment to a hem of a garment for prevention of entrapment of the garment beneath a foot or shoe of the wearer, comprising an adhesive-backed flexible and conforming film having a low-friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Catherine Delaney
  • Safety drain holding system
    Patent number: 7854020
    Abstract: Safety drain holding systems are disclosed. According to one aspect, a system can include a medical support garment comprising a medical container holder having first and second ends and at least one pocket. The pocket is adapted to support at least one container for storing bodily fluid output from a patient to the container. The medical support garment comprises a belt including first and second ends adapted for releasable attachment to the first and second ends, respectively, of the medical container holder such that the pocket is held adjacent to the waist of the patient when the first and second ends of the belt are attached to the first and second ends, respectively, of the medical container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Patricia Anne Ehrlickman
  • Attachable and detachable pocket cover
    Patent number: 7854021
    Abstract: An attachable and detachable cover for a pocket having an inner area. The cover may include a first portion disposed external to the pocket, generally conforming to a contour of the pocket, and removably secured to the pocket. The first portion may include a decorative element. In addition, the decorative cover may include a second portion disposed within the inner area of the pocket. The second portion may cause the cover to be retained by the pocket. Further, the cover may include a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: J. Bren & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce Brenda Compton, Jill Brenda Compton
  • Garments having seamless edge bands and processes for making same
    Patent number: 7854022
    Abstract: A garment having a fabric layer and an edge band is provided. The edge band and the fabric layer each include a sonically weldable material. The garment has a sonic edge weld securing the edge band to the fabric layer along a cut edge of the garment and an adhesive securing the edge band to the fabric layer. During manufacture, the edge band is placed on the fabric layer, sonic energy is applied so that the fabric layer and the edge band are simultaneously trimmed along a cut edge and welded to one another along the cut edge, and an adhesive between the fabric layer and the edge band is activated to adhere the edge band to the fabric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Warren, Rick Kelley
  • Helmet and method of removing the same
    Patent number: 7854023
    Abstract: A helmet that can be removed from the head of a helmet wearer who wears the helmet, with a comparatively small force, and simply and quickly including preliminary operation for removal. A recess-projection fitting mechanism to attach a blockish inside pad to a head protecting cap portion includes a male hook on a blockish inside pad side, and a female hook on a head protecting cap portion side. The interrupt portion of a pad takeout member including a pulling means can interrupt between the male hook and female hook to disengage their recess-projection fitting, and can catch on the male hook, and the male hook can be pulled out to outside the head protecting cap portion at least halfway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shoei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ando
  • Adjustable fitting ring structure
    Patent number: 7854024
    Abstract: An adjustable fitting ring structure includes a connecting base, a fitting ring, a guiding part, and an adjustable part. The connecting base has a receiving slot. There's a plurality of concave wedged slots on the receiving slot. The end portions respectively pass through the connecting base and each have a long slot. A gear portion is located in the long slot. The guiding part includes a base portion, a gear, and a plurality of flexible arms. Each of the flexible arms has a wedged body that contacts the wedged slot. The adjustable part is pivoted with the base portion to make the guiding part rotate so that the two end portions move in the same direction or in different directions. Thereby, the dimension of the fitting ring can be adjusted. It is easy for users to adjust the fitting ring. The structure is simplified and the assembly process is simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth Fang
  • Protective and decorative covering for sports helmets
    Patent number: 7854025
    Abstract: A covering for a sports helmet is provided. The covering including a band having at least a portion composed of a first heat shrink material. The band being sized to cover the sports helmet after an application of heat to the first heat shrink material. Also provided is a sports helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Spinelli
  • Athletic equipment enabling enhanced mobility
    Patent number: 7854026
    Abstract: A shoulder pad apparatus includes a chest plate. A shoulder cap is formed at an upper portion of the chest plate. A shoulder flap connects to the shoulder cap. An upper arm flap pivotably connects to the shoulder flap. At least one arcuate shell also may pivotably connect to the shoulder flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Paul R. Phaneuf, Frank Warren, III
  • Toilet flapper ventilation system
    Patent number: 7854027
    Abstract: A toilet flapper ventilation system includes a water-tight electric fan enclosed in a structure which slows the descent of the flapper section through the water in the toilet tank. A guiding system is used to direct the flapper section's rise and fall, and ensure its water-tight return to the flapper valve. The cusp at the lower end of the flapper section has an angled opening which directs the suction of the fan from the toilet bowl through the water discharge tube. The upper end of the flapper section is connected to a flexible, hollow tube which directs the air flow through a filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Rufus Dugat, III
  • Disposable toilet seat cover apparatus
    Patent number: 7854028
    Abstract: A disposable toilet seat cover apparatus is for use on the existing seat of a toilet. The apparatus is provided in a textured biodegradable water soluble material and resists slippage on the seat. A pull tab provides for the gas chamber within the valve assembly of the initially compactly folded apparatus to release a compressed gas to fill the seat cover/cushion. After use, the apparatus' biodegradable makeup provides for either discarding in a trash bin or for deposit into the bowl water, where the apparatus quickly deflates and dissolves. Any of the apparatus not immediately dissolved in the bowl water is easily flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Barbara A. Williams
  • Water drain assembly
    Patent number: 7854029
    Abstract: A water drain assembly includes an embedding ring and a seal washer, such that when a force is applied to press onto a water drain body, the deformation of hooks disposed at a lower edge of the embedding ring latches the edge of a drain through hole to abut the water drain body and fix the water drain body in position, and a rubber seal ring and a pressing member are installed into an internal hole of the water drain body, and a jam-on member is pressed into the internal hole of the water drain body, so as to press the pressing member down to a predetermined position to deform the seal ring, and achieve a tight pressing relation with a drainage pipe inserted therein to achieve a seal waterproof relation between the drainage pipe and the water drain body, and complete the overall installation of the water drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ti-Nien Shih
  • Utility tub with removable rack
    Patent number: 7854030
    Abstract: A utility tub is provided with a sink area having support surfaces for removably supporting a tray. The tray may hold items that are drying. In addition, the utility tub may be provided with an enlarged area for supporting other items, and various accessories such as a towel rack or towel pegs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: American Shower and Bath
    Inventors: Chia Ying Lee, Victor Hoernig
  • Foam spring mattress
    Patent number: 7854031
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Martin B Rawls-Meehan
  • Portable ramp for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 7854032
    Abstract: A portable ramp for motor vehicles molded from co-polymer where the ramp has a longitudinal spine extending through a grid, has a sloped portion and a horizontal upper portion to support a wheel of a vehicle. The wheel is in direct contact with the grid and the grid is open from top to bottom between the spine and the side walls. The spine has an arc-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Scepter Corporation
    Inventors: Jude Igwemezie, Tuan Nguyen
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning a mop
    Patent number: 7854033
    Abstract: A mobile machine for removing dry particulate matter from a mop, cloth or duster by agitation. A drum with flexible, resilient fingers rotates and agitates the mop, cloth or duster to loosen the particulate matter. An electric fan sucks ambient air and the particulate matter to a chamber wherein it is wetted by a liquid mist introduced by spray nozzles. The mist combines with the particulate matter to form larger particulates. The particulate matter and larger particulates are passed through a filter to remove the particulate matter and larger particulates, which drop onto a removable tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jack G. Kinder
  • Brush
    Patent number: 7854034
    Abstract: A brush includes a head section having a scrubbing area and a handle section coupled to and extending from the head section. The handle section includes a proximal segment, a distal segment coupled to the head section, and a recess segment positioned between the proximal segment and the distal segment. The recess segment includes a recess having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. The recess includes a center point between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The proximal segment extends from a free end of the handle section to the center point and the distal segment extends from the center point to the head section. The weight of the proximal segment of the handle section balances the combined weight of the distal segment of the handle section and head section when the recess is placed on a dividing wall of a double sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: John L. Welsh
  • Dual-sided flip mop
    Patent number: 7854035
    Abstract: The present invention features a cleaning implement, such as a mop, that may be used for cleaning a floor. The mop of the invention typically includes a mop head and a handle pivotally connected to the mop head. The mop head also includes means for securing a mop media, typically a flexible disposable cleaning sheet, to the mop head. The mop may be passed over the floor with one side of the cleaning sheet presented for cleaning the floor. The mop head may then be inverted with the other side of the cleaning sheet presented for further cleaning of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Gullicks, David G. Sebesta, Kevin L. McNulty, Richard W. Wright, John J. Dyer, Thomas M. Apse, Glendon D. Kappel
  • Toothbrush
    Patent number: 7854036
    Abstract: A toothbrush head having an undulating surface with at least one more displaced part and at least one less displaced part and with bristles having a triangular cross section extending from a more displaced part of the bristle face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Georgi
  • Paint pad with adjustable handle
    Patent number: 7854037
    Abstract: A paint pad with adjustable handle belong to painting tool field, includes a handle; a pad unite that includes a pad support body and a pad holder plate, the pad holder plate is connected to the bottom of the pad support body; wherein the pad support body has a handle groove on the top; a orientation part is under the groove, its up surface has a plurality of orientation teeth; the handle with plurality of adjusting teeth at the end of handle is located in the groove; a knob on the top of the pad support body can adjust the relationship between the orientation teeth and adjusting teeth. The conventional paint pad is fallible and instable for keeping stable angle between the handle and pad unite, it influences the painting route and uniformity, and reduces painting quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jianxin Lu
  • Vacuum cleaner with removable handle
    Patent number: 7854038
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a base. A bracket is attached to the base. Wheels are rotatably attached to the base for wheeling the base across a floor. A cleaning attachment is configured to be attached to the base and moved against the floor to clean the floor as the base is wheeled across the floor. The base is manually pushed by a handle to wheel the base across the floor. The handle is configured to be removably attached to the base by being hooked onto the bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into an installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David Scott Smith, Daniel L. Steele, Diane L. Dodson
  • Handle assembly rotatable in all directions and cleaner having the same
    Patent number: 7854039
    Abstract: A cleaner having a handle assembly rotatable in all directions is disclosed, the handle assembly including a housing; a handle which is capable of being gripped by a user; a connection unit which connects the handle with the housing to rotate in all directions; and an elastic unit which elastically biases the handle to a neutral position. As the handle is capable of rotating in all directions, a user can clean a surface without feeling strain in his or her joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-ju Lee, Hwa-gyu Song, Jea-won Lee, Jeoung-kyo Jeoung, Hee-cheon You, Ki-hyo Jung, Joon-ho Chang, Won-sup Lee
  • Portable germ barrier
    Patent number: 7854040
    Abstract: A portable, compact germ barrier for protecting a person from direct contact with an unsanitary surface, such as a doorknob, a toilet handle, or the like, is disclosed. A flexible fabric web is fixed to a plurality of stiffening rods that are each pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to an actuating mechanism fixed through a central aperture of the web. The actuating mechanism includes an actuator for moving the ribs between a closed and an open position. In use, the person manually actuates the actuator, causing the actuating mechanism to pivot each of the ribs from the closed position into the open position. When in the open position, the germ barrier may be used to grasp the surface through the web, preventing direct contact between the person and the surface. The germ barrier is portable, compact, easy to use and it may be kept close-by, such as on a keychain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ferdinand Ramos
  • Hinge mechanism for electronic device
    Patent number: 7854041
    Abstract: A hinge for an electronic device, such as mobile radio terminal, is a two-part hinge with a top tube on a top half of the device, a bottom tube on a bottom half of the device, and a hinge assembly in the top tube and the bottom tube. The top tube and the bottom tube together extend across substantially all of a hinge connection width, and may extend across substantially all of a device width of the electronic device. The hinge assembly extends across at least most of the hinge connection width, such as extending across at least 90% of the hinge connection width. The hinge assembly includes a flexible film ribbon connector for making electrical connections between the top part and the bottom part of the electronic device. The flexible film is wrapped around a shaft of the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Mats K. Olsson
  • Bundling device
    Patent number: 7854042
    Abstract: A reusable bundling device for wrapping and securing bundles of cable, rope, hose, electrical cords and other elongated members. The bundling device includes a flexible strap having one surface covered with hook members and an opposed second surface covered with a plurality of loop members. The hook members are releasably engagable with the loop members to encircle and retain the bundle. The first end of the flexible strap is removably attachable to a portion of the cord. Further, the bundling device is color coded to facilitate the identification of useful information pertaining to the cord and to rematch the strap once removed from the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ron Richardson
  • Binding machine
    Patent number: 7854043
    Abstract: This practical new model makes an improved binding machine known to the public, which includes main body, handle, ratchet wheel, roller, fastening belt, latch reed spring, control plate. Among them, the handle's side board is linked with the main section's side board through torsion spring. In this manner, when the fastening belt needs to be tightened as the binding machine is being used, the user can press down the handle which will resume its initial position with the bounce force of the torsion spring. It is not necessary for the user to push it back to the initial position after pressing the handle down. It is very easy and labor-saving with higher efficiency. Furthermore, it can also set a coil spring in the outside end of the roller. The fastening belt can withdraw inside the main section automatically, which is very convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Bei Wang