Patents Issued in March 1, 2016
  • Patent number: 9271437
    Abstract: An agricultural device associated with reduced tillage techniques in a field includes a frame and a separator supported by the frame. The separator is configured to form a strip of exposed soil in residual plant matter in the field. A crimping device associated with the separator is configured to at least partially crush stems of residual plant matter while maintaining the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: Charles H. Martin, Dominic R. Martin
  • Patent number: 9271438
    Abstract: Systems for mounting a plurality of agricultural tools on a transverse support bar and a method for operating an agricultural implement having a transverse support bar. The systems include a lateral positioning structure that can attach to the transverse support bar and a detachable base that can be releasably coupled to the lateral positioning structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Reade, Gregory W. Arnett
  • Patent number: 9271439
    Abstract: An air seeder includes a combination tank propulsion vehicle with mounted product tanks, and metering devices dispensing product from each product tank. A furrow opener implement is towed by the vehicle and an engine rotates the vehicle wheels and two or more implement wheels. A pneumatic distribution system conveys dispensed products to the furrow openers. The external guidance system sends location signals indicating a location of the implement frame to the operator. Steering, metering, and distribution signals are sent by both the external guidance system and an operator with a remote operator control, and operator signals override signals from the external guidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard Bourgault, Mark Cresswell, Bob Cochran, Scot Jagow
  • Patent number: 9271440
    Abstract: An seeder includes a frame on ground wheels defining tool bars for seeding elements spaced across the frame. Each element includes a pair of parallel arms connected to the tool bar bracket forming a parallel linkage for up and down movement of a support arm connected at a rear end and carrying the packer wheel. A spring applies a downward spring force on the parallel linkage to apply a downward force on the packer wheel so that the spring force increases as the parallel arms pivot upwardly and decreases as the parallel arms pivot downwardly. A control device is arranged to raise and lower the tool bar in response to a detected value of a sensor so as to change the angle of the parallel linkage and change the spring force. A cam controlled double rack adjustment of the height of the opener allows the user to change seeding depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Buhler Ezec-On Inc.
    Inventors: Leo V. Turko, Larry T. Beever, Gary Allen Bergen
  • Patent number: 9271441
    Abstract: A material spreader having a beater bar that meters the supply of small quantities of material to the discharge opening of a material spreader hopper eliminating the need for a gate. The beater bar has one and preferably several paddles that rotate adjacent the discharge opening and as the paddle passes the opening, discharges only the amount of material on the paddle. The material spreader uses a high ratio transmission and low rpm motor to allow for extremely slow rotation of the beater bar. The motor speed can be controlled to allow very slow rotation and very small amounts of material to be discharged from the hopper. The spreader does not require a gate. The discharge of material is metered electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles Truan, Barry Truan
  • Patent number: 9271442
    Abstract: A rotary coupling head for use with a portable cutting device has a blade-supporting housing, an axial motor drive shaft connected to the blade-supporting housing so as to be rotatable with the blade-supporting housing, an interchangeable cutting blade mounted on the blade-supporting housing so as to rotate with the rotation of the blade-supporting housing. The cutting blade is engaged around the drive shaft such that the cutting blade and the housing are axially displaceable along the drive shaft. A coupler on the housing is automatically actuated upon the axial displacement of the cutting blade and the housing on the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PELLENC (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventor: Roger Pellenc
  • Patent number: 9271443
    Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly, and a draper assembly. The cutterbar assembly is mounted to the header frame and includes a plurality of skids. Each of the skids has a lower margin configured to engage the ground such that the skids cooperatively cause flexing of the cutterbar assembly along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. Each skid presents a skid surface extending from the lower skid margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Gagan Sethi, Christopher Sauerwein, Robert Honas
  • Patent number: 9271444
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting unit mounted on a harvesting machine. The harvesting unit comprises a straddling chassis delimiting a harvesting tunnel in which plants to be shaken are introduced successively to move through said tunnel between a front opening and a rear opening of said tunnel. The harvesting unit has a main shaker system including two shaker devices disposed on respective sides of the harvesting tunnel to delimit transversely a central part of said tunnel, and an additional shaker system that is mounted on the straddling chassis and comprises two shaker devices disposed on respective sides of the harvesting tunnel to delimit transversely a front upper part of said tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: CNH France S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Berthet, Bruno Montaigu
  • Patent number: 9271445
    Abstract: A tensioning system for maintaining the tension in a chain conveyor extended over at least one drive sprocket and one idler sprocket, and a method for maintaining the tension in a chain conveyor, in particular for example for a stalked crop harvesting header. The tensioning system comprises a first tensioning arm and a second tensioning arm rotatably connected to one another for rotation around a shaft onto which one of the sprockets is mounted, the second tensioning arm rotatably connected to a fixed point of a supporting plate, wherein the tension in the chain conveyor is maintained by rotational movement of at least one of the drive sprocket or the idler sprocket around a fixed point of the supporting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industries America LLC
    Inventors: Dariusz Adamczyk, Stanislaw Kudla
  • Patent number: 9271446
    Abstract: Apparatus for gathering bales that aligns itself during bale pick-up. Methods for transferring bales that use such an apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Forage Innovations B.V.
    Inventors: Rustin Van Bentzinger, Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
  • Patent number: 9271447
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester with a flexible crop residue management system. A pivotal swath door and displaceable windrow chute are coordinated to be displaced between positions in which all of crop residue is spread laterally and another position in which straw in the crop residue is directed in a windrow by a windrow chute and the chaff is directed laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Justin L. Montenguise, Nicholas S. Shane
  • Patent number: 9271448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cultivating sugar cane comprising planting sugar cane shoots in a growth medium, growing seedlings from the shoots at a temperature of at least 15° C. and 10-120 days after having planted the shoots planting the seedlings obtained therefrom into the field if the growth medium is not a field, or, in case the growth medium is a field, exposing the seedlings obtained from the shoots to ambient conditions, where the seedling, while growing, is treated with at least one strobilurin fungicide and/or at least one carboxamide fungicide and/or at least one GABA antagonist insecticide and/or at least one nicotinic receptor agonists/antagonist insecticide and/or at least one chloride channel activator insecticide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Nilton Degaspari, Antonio Cesar Azenha, Paulo Cesar Queiroz, Cassio da Silva Cardoso Teixeira, Frank Werner, Marco Antonio Tavares-Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 9271449
    Abstract: A durable, versatile, reusable landscaping curb system includes a plurality of sectional housings, yieldably connectable by joining clips, a typical housing section having a substantially hollow body, a substantially horizontal face on the top of the housing, the horizontal face supported by two sides, the two sides being first and second substantially vertical faces, the first and second substantially vertical faces disposed in a parallel relationship with respect to each other. The joining clips comprising two clip halves that can be paired to provide connection of two housing sections, or a single clip half may be attached to a specialized housing component, such as a terminating end, a foundation interface, a driveway interface, a patio interface, or an utilities feed interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: Troy R Lane, Ronald T Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9271450
    Abstract: A debris collector and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The debris collector is configured to receive and process debris, such as lawn debris, by way of a variety of intake systems, such as a basket and vacuum tube. After intake, the debris collector is configured to process the debris by way of an auger and agitators, so as to be passed through a blower fan for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Professional Lawn Care, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Lickteig
  • Patent number: 9271451
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for use in stripping irregular material (8) from a line (3, 4) during relative movement between the apparatus (20) and line (3, 4), including a material guide (50), stripping mechanism (40) and line guide (30). A first line guide element (30a), first stripping element (40a) and first material guide element (50a) collectively form a first stripping assembly and the second line guide element (30b), second stripping element (40b) and second material guide element (50b) collectively form a second stripping assembly, the line passing between the stripping assemblies during stripping. The stripping assemblies are orientated during stripping such that the first material guide rotation axis and the first stripping element rotation axis are on a first lateral side of the line and the second material guide rotation axis and the second stripping element rotation axis are on a second lateral side of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Honeypot Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Hamish George, Marcus James Wickham, Albert Arnold Love, Garry Trevor Love
  • Patent number: 9271452
    Abstract: A green wall planting support apparatus includes at least one hanging plate, a plurality of containers and a water supply system. The hanging plate includes a channel portion that is elongated in a lengthwise direction of the hanging plate and that has a first channel, and a hanging portion that is made in one piece with the channel portion and that is disposed in the lengthwise direction. The containers are detachably connected to the hanging plate for receiving plant and each includes a hanger portion that is detachably connected to the hanging portion. The water supply system includes at least one water dispensing unit that is mounted on the channel portion for conveying water to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Gerald Sung
  • Patent number: 9271453
    Abstract: An anchoring device for a self-propelled irrigation system includes a screw pile and drive assembly that drives the screw pile into the ground to anchor a drive tower of the irrigation system to the ground. The screw pile is rotatably driven about a vertical axis and movable vertically relative to the drive tower. The drive assembly can include an electric motor with a suitable gear reduction that causes the screw pile to be rotated slowly with a large amount of torque. The drive assembly can be mounted stationary to the drive tower, or it can be mounted on tracks so as to move vertically together with the screw pile. A low voltage electrical system with one or more batteries can be used to power the electric motor. A solar battery charger or other charging system can be used to maintain an electrical charge in the batteries. A controller is provided to activate the drive assembly when adverse weather conditions are detected, or upon receiving a remote command from the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Polaris Products LLC
    Inventor: James R. Frager
  • Patent number: 9271454
    Abstract: An intelligent gardening system and method for monitoring and analyzing a moisture level in individual gardening pots and/or containers is provided. A system comprises a moisture measuring sensor integrated into a pot/container. A gardener can read moisture-related data using a mobile device, a computer, or a tablet, or directly from built-in display. The gardener can send the moisture level-related data along with other data (such as, a type of a plant, a soil type, size of a pot, a plant size, location, current weather, an air temperature, etc.) to a central server connected to a central gardening database or to a cloud service and receive gardening recommendations. The gardening recommendations can include other recommendations pertaining to a particular plant and gardening conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jacob Shochat, Alexander Natanzon, Ludmila Natanzon, Vitaly Roginsky
  • Patent number: 9271455
    Abstract: Polymorphic soybean DNA loci useful for genotyping between at least two varieties of soybean. Sequences of the loci are useful for providing the basis for designing primers and probe oligonucleotides for detecting polymorphisms in soybean DNA. Polymorphisms are useful for genotyping applications in soybean. The polymorphic markers are useful to establish marker/trait associations, e.g. in linkage disequilibrium mapping and association studies, positional cloning and transgenic applications, marker-aided breeding and marker-assisted selection, hybrid prediction and identity by descent studies. The polymorphic markers are also useful in mapping libraries of DNA clones, e.g. for soybean QTLs and genes linked to polymorphisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kunsheng Wu, John LeDeaux, David Butruille, Anju Gupta, Richard Johnson, Sam Eathington, Jason Bull, Marlin Edwards, Paul McLaird
  • Patent number: 9271456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing a plant or plant part for exhibiting a reduced or absent wound-induced surface discoloration as compared to a control plant or plant part, which method comprises providing a plant or plant part that is obtained from a plant population that shows genetic variation, in particular a gene bank; optionally creating a wound surface on the plant or plant part; incubating the plant or plant part or the wound surfaces created thereon to allow for discoloration to occur therein or thereon; observing the discoloration in or on the plants or plant parts; comparing the observed discoloration with the discoloration that is observed in the control plant or plant part to assess whether the plant or plant part shows no discoloration or a discoloration that is reduced as compared to the control plant or plant part; and identifying a plant or plant part that shows no discoloration or a discoloration that is reduced as compared to the control plant or plant part as a plant that harbo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: RIJK ZWAAN ZAADTEELT EN ZAADHANDEL B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Van Vliet, Cornelis Maria Petrus Van Dun, Johannes Wilhelmus Schut
  • Patent number: 9271457
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH1T92 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1T92 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1T92 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1T92 or a locus conversion of PH1T92 with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9271458
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety HI1016703-1 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety HI1016703-1 and its progeny, and methods of making HI1016703-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: David Pazdernik
  • Patent number: 9271459
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated HDI4942, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line HDI4942 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line HDI4942, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line HDI4942, and plants produced according to these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: Duane Wolf
  • Patent number: 9271460
    Abstract: Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean variety, designated 10GR3552-50, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-122186. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the variety, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 10GR3552-50 variety, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Agrigenetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Moore
  • Patent number: 9271461
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH1KN9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KN9 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KN9 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KN9 or a locus conversion of PH1KN9 with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Pierre Desbons
  • Patent number: 9271462
    Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated XB49AE13. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety XB49AE13. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety XB49AE13 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety XB49AE13 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Jennifer Yates
  • Patent number: 9271463
    Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated XB56V13. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety XB56V13. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety XB56V13 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety XB56V13 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Gilsinger
  • Patent number: 9271464
    Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated XB35Y13. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety XB35Y13. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety XB35Y13 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety XB35Y13 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Leandro A. Mozzoni
  • Patent number: 9271465
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH1TRS and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1TRS with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1TRS through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1TRS or a locus conversion of PH1TRS with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Susanne Groh
  • Patent number: 9271466
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH1W0N and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1W0N with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1W0N through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1W0N or a locus conversion of PH1W0N with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Wade Eugene Odland
  • Patent number: 9271467
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH24WY and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH24WY with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH24WY through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH24WY or a locus conversion of PH24WY with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Marco Zanirato, Goran Srnic
  • Patent number: 9271468
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH252P and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH252P with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH252P through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH252P or a locus conversion of PH252P with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Milorad Rosulj
  • Patent number: 9271469
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated S140157 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S140157, to the plants of soybean cultivar S140157, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S140157, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S140157. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140157. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140157, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S140157 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: M.S. Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Justin T. Mason
  • Patent number: 9271470
    Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated XB69F14R2. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety XB69F14R2. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety XB69F14R2 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety XB69F14R2 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Gilsinger
  • Patent number: 9271471
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a three-dimensional camera and a processor communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor is operable to determine a first edge of a dairy livestock, determine a second edge of the dairy livestock, determine a third edge of the dairy livestock, and determine a fourth edge of the dairy livestock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Patent number: 9271472
    Abstract: A self-propelled stall cleaning apparatus has a frame assembly, one pair of drive wheels, a motor attached to the assembly for driving the drive wheels and a motor driven collector head. The collector head has a pivoting fork with tines for collecting manure and debris. The fork picks up the manure and debris and tosses it onto a sifting conveyor. The sifting conveyor separates the manure from the bedding and delivers the manure to a lift conveyor which drops the manure into a collection bin. The collection bin is moveable from a stowed position to a dumping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Louise Klemm Clark
  • Patent number: 9271473
    Abstract: There is disclosed a separable toilet pad for housebreaking animal companions including a protection layer covering an exterior surface; an absorbent layer absorbing and storing urine; and a waterproof layer preventing the absorbed urine from leaking, wherein the waterproof layer includes a waterproof layer cut unit configured to divide or cut the waterproof layer into a plurality of areas, when an external force is applied, and the absorbent layer is arranged in a surface of the waterproof layer and includes a gap with both sides with respect to the waterproof layer cut unit and includes a gap having a distance from both sides of the waterproof cut unit, and a filling part is arranged in the gap and includes a filling part cut unit corresponding to the waterproof layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Jong Hyun Ryu
  • Patent number: 9271474
    Abstract: A pet stroller having a frame assembly and a cloth platform enclosure connected to a platform enclosure member that defines a base and a sidewall of a pet seating area. Upper and lower canopy bars are pivotably connected to the rear pivot blocks that are pivotable to extend or retract a canopy over the pet seating area. A cloth canopy assembly is connected to the handle and the upper and lower canopy bars. A latch assembly is connected to the platform enclosure member and is movable to a latched position in which it clamps the lower canopy bar to the platform enclosure member to form an enclosed pet seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Vermont Juvenile Furniture Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 9271475
    Abstract: A multi-function leash system incorporating anti-theft features is provided. The leash system includes a leash portion and a harness connectable to the leash portion. The leash portion includes an elongate leash, the elongate leash including at one end an attachment component, and at the other end a handle, wherein the handle is formed to be achieve a locked position in which the handle forms a closed loop, and an open position in which the handle is open at one end, and is operable to be wrapped around a fixed article, and then locked around the fixed article. The harness is formed to put on a pet, wherein the harness is adjustable to achieve a snug fit relative to the pet's body using one or more adjustable elements, wherein the harness is formed so that once the harness has been locked on the pet, and attached to the leash portion, the harness is difficult to remove from the pet's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Blake Shaver
  • Patent number: 9271476
    Abstract: In first, second, and third embodiments of the invention the dog lead is formed from a cord and has a first loop and a second loop at one end and a handle at the other end. The handle and a portion of the cord are passed through the first loop to form a collar. The handle and an additional portion of the cord are then passed under the dog's chest and through the second loop to form a chest band. In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a stop is mounted snugly on the cord and a washer is mounted to the cord. In a fifth embodiment of the invention, an inner stop and a outer stop are provided on both sides of a ring to keep the collar from becoming tight or loose, making the dog lead virtually escape proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Lisa B. Flynn
  • Patent number: 9271477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for isolating farm cages for fish against undesirable organisms, which device is arranged enclosing the farm cage, where the device comprises a fine-meshed fluid-permeable net which is open upwardly and downwardly when arranged round the farm cage, where the fluid-permeable net will extend a distance down in the farm cage's depth direction, in order thereby to form a skirt round the farm cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Calanus AS
    Inventors: Snorre Angell, Remi Mathisen, Bjarne Johansen, Trond Larsen, Kurt Steinar Tande
  • Patent number: 9271478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the method and use of reef coral fluorescent proteins in making transgenic red, green and yellow fluorescent zebrafish. Preferably, such fluorescent zebrafish are fertile and used to establish a population of transgenic zebrafish and to provide to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing. Thus, new varieties of ornamental fish of different fluorescence colors from a novel source are developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Yorktown Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Alan Blake, Richard Crockett, Jeffrey Essner, Perry Hackett, Aidas Nasevicius
  • Patent number: 9271479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human animal deficient in the N-terminal domain of the IL-33 gene. Also provided herein is the use of said non-human animal as an in vivo model of inflammatory diseases, especially with regard to screening methods for anti-inflammatory compounds, and methods for evaluating and optimizing the pharmacological properties of a given anti-inflammatory compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Cote-Sierra, Antonio Iglesias, Claas Aiko Meyer
  • Patent number: 9271480
    Abstract: A method of substantially permanently providing or enhancing ultra violet reflectance in materials suitable for use in making fishing lures materials and the resulting fishing lures so provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: William J Black
  • Patent number: 9271481
    Abstract: A 3-dimentional moving and visible filamentous material for insertion into a rebate or slot in the gill area of a baitfish lure which is designed to protrude out and away from the lure and intentionally simulates fibrous gill filaments and the exsanguination of an injured, bleeding prey fish. This filamentous insertion is created from a crimson natural, synthetic, or combination material that is metallic or translucent and naturally reflective in nature. The rebate or slot is a dissimilar wall height recess incorporated into the design of the lure which is located between the head and body of the lure where the circumference of the head portion is slightly larger than circumference of the body portion in the area of a “gill slit” causing a vortex of turbulent water flow impacting and agitating the filamentous insertion fibers. The method of attachment is in the form of a water-resistant, transparent glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Marcus van Reenen
  • Patent number: 9271482
    Abstract: Transfer sheets on which an image quite closely resembling an external appearance of a bait fish is color printed on the surface of a hologram sheet are adhered to back sides of bilaterally symmetrical body-half segments made of a flexible transparent thermoplastic resin in a state that the image can be viewed perspectively from the surface side. Only front head sides which occupy at least half in both the body-half segments are adhered and remaining rear end sides are kept open, by which a line equipped with a hook is guided out and wired to the front from the rear end sides via an interior hollow of a lure body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hopec
    Inventor: Yukio Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9271483
    Abstract: Disclosed is an externally-adjustable fishing reel drive gear pair backlash adjustment mechanism which includes a drive spindle, a housing consisting of a main cover and a side lid, and a gear pair consisting of a rack and a main gear on the drive spindle; middle portions of the main cover and the side lid being respectively provided with a bearing mounting counterbore, bearings being respectively mounted at two ends of the drive spindle, the drive spindle being mounted in the bearing mounting counterbores of the main cover and the side lid through the bearings at two ends, the bearing of the side lid being bonded to the main gear, a backlash existing between the main gear and the rack; and an adjustment mechanism adjusting a gear pair backlash outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Yangzhou Yuansheng Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xu Zhilin
  • Patent number: 9271484
    Abstract: A bobbin holder (2) for tying thread (F) for making fishing flies comprises, essentially, means (21) for holding a bobbin (3) of tying thread (F) and a thread (F) guide tube (20) through which the thread (F) from the said bobbin (3) is threaded. The bobbin holder (2) also comprises, spaced radially in relation to the thread (F) guide tube (20) and apart from each (4; 4?) other (4?; 4), at least two retaining hooks (4; 4?) around which a tying thread (F) can be partially wound. The bobbin holder is used for fastening dubbing onto the fish hook of a fishing fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Didier Samie
  • Patent number: 9271485
    Abstract: An outdoor pull device comprising a handle; at least two through holes through the handle, the through holes running substantially parallel to each other; one or more cords traveling through at least two through holes of the at least two through holes of the pull device, wherein the one or more cords affixes to the handle at each through hole such that the integrated handle and one or more cords create at least one loop; and at least two fastening mechanisms on the cord to prevent the cord from exiting the handle, wherein the at least two through holes each have at least two distinct diameters in the handle, wherein the first diameter is sufficient to allow both the one or more cords and the affixed fastening mechanisms into the handle, and wherein the second diameter is sufficient to allow the one or more cords through the handle, but not the affixed fastening mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Ryan Estey
  • Patent number: 9271486
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the control and management of wildlife populations (including domesticated animals) and pests such as rodents, birds including geese, deer and other herbivores such as rabbits, ground hogs, raccoons, moose and elk, tunneling animals such as moles, voles and gophers and insects, carnivores and other organisms such as predators. Specifically provided are FIFRA exemption-based formulations which may be applied to natural or artificial surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: James J. Messina