Patents Issued in May 24, 2016
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Patent number: 9345914Abstract: The automatic fire extinguishing system is installed in one or more rooms of a building structure or the like. A track is installed along the inner perimeter of the wall of the room(s), near the ceiling. A mobile fire extinguishing module travels along the track. The fire extinguishing module includes a supply of fire extinguishing agent, a directionally controllable dispensing nozzle, a drive motor for at least one wheel, and a receiver and controller. A number of smoke and/or fire detectors is installed in the room, with the detectors communicating wirelessly with the receiver and controller of the module. A signal received by the module from an activated detector results in the module traveling to the location nearest the activated detector, whereupon a valve is opened to dispense the fire extinguishing agent. A secondary module may be provided, with the primary module automatically connecting to the secondary module when required.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Abdullah Mustafa Yonus Haji Ali
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Patent number: 9345915Abstract: The invention relates to equipment including fixed fire detectors (10) along the track (100) and fixed extinguishing stations (20) installed in the tunnel. Each station is provided with fire detectors (23) for locating the source, an automatic configuration system for targeting the area to be sprayed, individually controlled spraying devices (22), and a device for remotely or locally activating the spray. The station is preceded by a train stopping area (ZA) in which the train (TRO) starts a stopping sequence and slows down from the safety speed thereof to the zero speed thereof. A control center (30) manages the operation of the equipment and in particular orders a reduction of the train (TRO) running speed when the detectors (10) have detected a fire (flames, smoke, CO). The reduced speed (safety speed (Vs)) enables the train (TRO) to run as quickly as possible while mitigating the progression of the fire.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: France-MancheInventors: Bruno Bouthors, Pascal Hochart, François Levert, Christian Maquaire, Vincent Massy, Serge Poncet
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Patent number: 9345916Abstract: An autonomous, stand alone fire detection and suppression apparatus has a fire suppression pack that is imbedded or positioned at the center of a three-dimensional array stack of boxes and a plurality of radio-frequency identification transponders on each box of the stack of boxes. The transponders are operable to sense an undesirable event, for example a fire in the stack of boxes and communicate with the fire suppression pack at the center of the stack of boxes causing the fire suppression pack to eject a fire suppressant into the stack of boxes surrounding each box, separating adjacent boxes from each other and other stacks of boxes and from the shipping container containing the boxes.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: David W. Kirkbride
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Patent number: 9345917Abstract: An injection port is provided for installation on an enclosure to provide quick access for admitting a fire suppressing agent into the enclosure in the event of a fire inside the enclosure. The injection port includes a housing and an injection port cover. The housing includes a mounting plate for mounting the housing to the enclosure and a pin receptacle. The injection port cover includes a cover plate and a pin release mechanism. The pin release mechanism includes a movable pin that engages with the pin receptacle of the housing to secure the injection port cover to the housing when the injection port is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Clinger, Jr., Andrew J. Nerbun
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Patent number: 9345918Abstract: A dry sprinkler is provided that includes a conduit with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve positioned near the fluid inlet and a fire sprinkler head that is positioned near the fluid outlet. The fire sprinkler head is operably connected to the valve by a tie. When the fire sprinkler head reacts to an elevated temperature condition, the tie is engaged and is operable to open the valve. In a normal state, before the fire sprinkler head reacts, the tie can be unbiased toward the fire sprinkler head. The tie can also be non-rigid and/or in a non-compressed state within the conduit. The conduit of the dry sprinkler can be flexible.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: VICTAULIC COMPANYInventors: Richard A. Bucher, Frank J. Cygler, William J. Reilly, Yi Liu, Lawrence W. Thau, Jr.
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Patent number: 9345919Abstract: A portable exercise system has a foldable perimeter frame comprising at least two elongated frame members that are joined by hinges. The hinges are joined to ends of the frame members, which ends are generally tubular. Each hinge has a cap-like body having an interior surface that defines a cavity configured to nestingly receive one of the ends of the frame members. A deformable plug is located within the central cavity of the one of the ends. A tightening mechanism is operated to expand the plug radially and thereby cause the end to expand radially such the generally tubular outer surface of the end frictionally engages the interior surface of the a cap-like body.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: JumpSport, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Publicover, Jon P. Hylbert, Kevin B. Charles
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Patent number: 9345920Abstract: An exercise device including a hoop made primarily of two elements, a softer inner element and a more rigid outer element. The inner element of the hoop has a plurality of shock absorbing compression chambers projecting inwardly and formed on an inner diameter thereof. The plurality of chambers each have a convex shape formed by a plurality of ribs connected by a connecting member. The chambers are formed at an angle with respect to a diameter of the hoop and have different compression attributes when the hoop is rotated by and about the user's body in the two different possible rotational directions. In this manner, the hoop will require greater exertion to maintain rotation in one direction versus the other, and also, the impact force which the hoop exerts on the user's skin will also differ depending upon the rotation direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: INNERSVINGEN ASInventors: Karyn Seroussi, Jorgen Klaveness
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Patent number: 9345921Abstract: A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device which includes a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures of the human body.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Performance Solutions, LLCInventor: Kipp K. Dye
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Patent number: 9345922Abstract: A strength training system and method includes an inelastic base strap connecting with an anchor and connecting with elastic/static components, which in turn are connected with handles. The combination of an inelastic base strap with modular elastic/static components configurable to be either elastic or inelastic provides the ability to perform suspension training as well as elastic band training with the same system. The elastic/static components may quickly be converted from an elastic to an inelastic segment by simply disconnecting the elastic module or by simply connecting the inelastic segment, since it is shorter than the elastic module. The elastic module includes a plurality of connectable elastic bands and may easily be replaced with other modules. An anchor point device is disclosed having double opposing cam buckles, usable with a door.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: Kasper Allison, Shane Cervantes
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Patent number: 9345923Abstract: A weightlifting weight support assembly includes a weight rack with a pair of vertical upright beams. Each of the vertical upright beams includes a plurality of bores disposed vertically along the front of the beams. The assembly further includes an elongated cross member and a lever arm selectively rotatably attached to at least one of the ends of the elongated cross member. There is also provided a first and second cross member support subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: Adam Haggard, R. Shane Burge
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Patent number: 9345924Abstract: A preacher curl exercise machine with an air filled bladder or other resilient member which provides a support surface for a user exercising thereon. The preacher curl exercise machine providing many of the benefits of a traditional weight bench, while also providing the potential upside of incorporating an instability thereby engaging the user's core during exercise. A resilient member can be shaped according to the needs of the exercise to be performed. The resilient nature of the cushion limits bottoming out providing a true cushion support rather than laying on a hard surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: Amy Caroline Strong Crawley, William Joseph Crawley
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Patent number: 9345925Abstract: A floor-stretching exercise mat with movement guiding function includes a base board plural guiding mats and a cushion mat. The base board is reconfigurable between a folded and an unfolded configuration and includes plural plates pivoted to one another by pivot connecting members. The plates each include a chamber and plural pivot portion. The pivot connecting members are each pivotally connected between every two plates and include a connecting portion to be pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the pivot portions. The guiding mats are disposed in the chamber and each includes plural display modules which are capable of producing light by contact pressure. The cushion mat is laid on the base board which is in an unfolded configuration to cover the guiding mats and includes plural light-passing apertures aligned with the display modules. The base board is foldable for easy storage and transportation.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: SR Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hong-Mao Liu
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Patent number: 9345926Abstract: There is provided an exercise machine including a frame, a wheel assembly rotatably mounted to the frame and an actuating assembly operatively connected to the wheel assembly, the actuating assembly being operable by a user to urge rotation of the wheel assembly. The frame includes a wheel mounting member having a central opening defined therein for mounting the wheel assembly to the frame. A central mounting plate is sized and shaped for engaging the central opening, the central mounting portion having a concave indent defined therein for rotatable receiving a wheel axle part of the wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: Jean Cauchon, Raphael Murillo Sterling, Fernando Saturno
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Patent number: 9345927Abstract: The present invention is to provide a feet stretching device, which includes a base placed on the ground; an extendable rod having an end fixed at a front edge of the base and the other end extended upward; a control device having a control panel fixed at the other end of the extendable rod, two control handles disposed at two sides of the control panel for being held by user's hands, and a control circuit for generating different output signals selected by the user; and a driving mechanism having an end pivotally linked with the base at a position near a back edge of the base and the other end movably and reciprocatingly mounted on a support plate, so as to dynamically kept the angle between the support plate and the base according to the output signal for performing a stretching exercise on user's feet standing on the support plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: SOLID FOCUS INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Shu-Wei Chang
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Patent number: 9345928Abstract: A hinged vaginal strengthening device has three points of resistance along its length, which correspond with the three layers of pelvic musculature. The device is inserted into a vagina and compressed by the pelvic floor musculature, in accordance with various regimens to achieve goals such as decreasing vaginal gap or overcoming painful intercourse. The device can be of various dimensions, and various compression resiliencies thereby allowing a user to progress through multiple steps to achieve their goal of increasing or decreasing their vaginal space, as well as increasing muscle tone.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Peter A Philip
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Patent number: 9345929Abstract: A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving objects in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each object and providing immediate feedback information to a human that has launched the object into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving objects may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a basketball shot at a basketball hoop by a player. The feedback information, such as a trajectory entry angle into the basketball hoop and/or an entry velocity into the hoop for the shot, may be output to the player in an auditory format using a sound projection device. The system may be operable to be set-up and to operate in a substantially autonomous manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Pillar Vision, Inc.Inventors: Alan W. Marty, Thomas A. Edwards
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Patent number: 9345930Abstract: Tracking and monitoring athletic activity offers individuals with additional motivation to continue such behavior. An individual may track his or her athletic activity by completing goals. These goals may be represented by real-world objects such as food items, landmarks, buildings, statues, other physical structures, toys and the like. Each object may correspond to an athletic activity goal and require an amount of athletic activity to complete the goal. For example, a donut goal object may correspond to an athletic activity goal of burning 350 calories. The user may progress from goal object to goal object. Goal objects may increase in difficulty (e.g., amount of athletic activity required) and might only be available for selection upon completing an immediately previous goal object, a number of goal objects, an amount of athletic activity and the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims
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Patent number: 9345931Abstract: A golf ball 2 has a large number of dimples 8 on a surface thereof. A trajectory of the golf ball 2 is divided into first to fourth segments. An average CD1 of drag coefficients CD and an average CL1 of lift coefficients CL in the first segment are equal to or less than 0.225 and 0.180, respectively. An average CD2 of drag coefficients CD and an average CL2 of lift coefficients CL in the second segment are equal to or less than 0.250 and 0.220, respectively. An average CD3 of drag coefficients CD and an average CL3 of lift coefficients CL in the third segment are equal to or greater than 0.260 and 0.220, respectively. An average CD4 of drag coefficients CD and an average CL4 of lift coefficients CL in the fourth segment are equal to or greater than 0.250 and 0.200, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Hyoungchol Kim, Masahide Onuki
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Patent number: 9345932Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core composed of a center, an envelope layer and at least one cover. The center is formed from a composition containing at least one resin component and a basic metal salt of a fatty acid. The resin component is selected from a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester. The envelope layer is formed from a composition containing a thermoplastic resin and/or a thermoplastic elastomer as a resin component.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventor: Takahiro Shigemitsu
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Patent number: 9345933Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball excellent in resilience and controllability includes a core composed of a center and an envelope layer covering the center and at least one cover covering the core, wherein the center is formed from a center composition containing (A) at least one resin component selected from the group consisting of (a-1) a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, (a-2) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of the binary copolymer, (a-3) a ternary copolymer composed of the binary copolymer components and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (a-4) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of the ternary copolymer components and (B) a basic metal salt of a fatty acid, and wherein the envelope layer is formed from a rubber composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventor: Takahiro Shigemitsu
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Patent number: 9345934Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a spherical core 4 and a cover 6 covering the core 4 and including an inner cover 8 and an outer cover 10 positioned outside the inner cover 8. The core 4 is obtained by crosslinking a rubber composition. The rubber composition includes a base rubber (a), a co-crosslinking agent (b), a crosslinking initiator (c), and a carboxylate (d). The co-crosslinking agent (b) is: (b1) an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; or (b2) a metal salt of an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The amount of the carboxylate (d) is equal to or greater than 1 parts by weight but less than 40 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base rubber (a). A hardness of an innermost layer of the cover is equal to or less than a surface hardness of the core.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Hirotaka Nakamura
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Patent number: 9345935Abstract: A golf club gc includes a head hd, a shaft sf, a sleeve sv, and a screw sc. The sleeve sv is secured to a tip part of the shaft sf. The sleeve sv includes a plurality of engaging projections sv6 and non-engaging surfaces sv7, each of the non-engaging surfaces sv7 positioned between the engaging projections sv6 adjacent to each other. A hosel 10 of the head hd includes an engaging recess 10a extending downward from a hosel end face 10b, and a hosel hole h1. Rotation of the sleeve sv to the head hd is regulated by engagement between the engaging projection sv6 and the engaging recess 10a. A space is formed between an inner surface of the hosel hole h1 and the non-engaging surface sv7 in the connected state.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9345936Abstract: A golf club head comprising an adjustable weighting feature including a tube extending from the crown to the sole of the golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, a golf club head formed from three pieces, namely a first piece comprising a face, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a hosel, a second piece comprising a rear end, a crown portion, and a sole portion, and a tube, wherein these pieces are welded to one another, is disclosed herein. Each of these pieces may be separately cast, forged, or formed from a metal material such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, and aluminum alloy.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Joshua D. Westrum, James A. Seluga, Patrick Dawson, Sean P. Griffin
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Patent number: 9345937Abstract: The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head having a body with at least one sole pocket and a cap sized to at least partially close the sole pocket. The pocket is bounded on one side by a face plate, which is only partially affixed to the body via welding, and may be completely or partially filled with the cap. The cap, which can be made of multiple materials having different densities, is located within the pocket such that one or more gaps are disposed between the cap and the sidewalls of the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Irina Ivanova, Bradley C. Rice, Scott R. Manwaring, Brandon D. DeMille
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Patent number: 9345938Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a back portion, a front portion having a face portion with a front surface and a back surface, an interior cavity extending between the top and sole portions and between the face and back portions, and an elastic polymer material in the interior cavity, and a bonding portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLCInventors: Robert R Parsons, Michael R Nicolette, Bradley D Schweigert
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Patent number: 9345939Abstract: A golf club cover is disclosed herein. The golf club cover includes a body defining a cavity operable to receive a head of a golf club. The body also includes a first aperture accessing the cavity. The golf club cover also includes a turrethead mounted with respect to the body for rotation about an axis extending transverse to the first aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Jesse Fratkin
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Patent number: 9345940Abstract: A multifunctional swaying throwing game apparatus is formed by assembling a base and a rod, in which the base is a base able to sway and rock back and forth. The rod is designed to form a Y-shaped rod, and clasp hooks and clasp holes are provided on support rods extending from the upper portion of the rod. The clasp hooks enable hook holes of rings to hook thereon, and the clasp holes enable the peripheral edge of rings to be inserted and fixed therein. The hollow part of each of the rings allows for children to throw sandbags, rubber bands, or other objects therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Yen-Po Chiu
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Patent number: 9345941Abstract: The piñata pole support assembly is a structure that holds a piñata in place during celebrations. The piñata pole support assembly comprises a stand, vertical pole, top pole, brace, pulley, ground post, rope hook, stick holder, and a plurality of hold down pins.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: Manuel Celedon, Linda Celedon
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Patent number: 9345942Abstract: There is described a carrier, such as a backpack, waist bag or bum bag, which includes a retractable towing belt assembly, suitable for towing children along a ski slope.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Kevin Stevens
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Patent number: 9345943Abstract: Disclosed is a golf coach box, including a batting box and an arch swing plane sliding rail. One end of the swing plane sliding rail is rotatably fixed to the batting box and the other end thereof is connected via a telescopic connecting mechanism to the batting box. The beneficial effect of the present application as compared with the prior art is: the batting box is additionally provided with the swing plane sliding rail, used to simulate a swing plane during batting, thereby having a function of guiding a user to swing correctly during a batting process.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Shenzhen Lianrunda Container Management Service Co., LTDInventor: Lingen Kong
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Patent number: 9345944Abstract: A training device has a base unit configured to provide sensory feedback to a user and a belt unit configured to be worn by the user and emit signals toward the base unit. An electronic system housed in the base unit detects the signals emitted by the belt unit and provides sensory feedback indicating the angular alignment of the belt unit with respect to the base unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Amy Fox
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Patent number: 9345945Abstract: An adaptable training putter head for use in a training putter includes a conventional style putting head, further including a cavity, an outer cutout, and an inner cutout; an alignment guide piece, further including an outer alignment guide, an inner alignment guide, and a center insert bridge piece; all mounted to the conventional style putting head, to which is also attached a hosel connector. The alignment guides can be hollow, can each include an upper and a lower body, and can include alignment guide cavities, which can contain alignment guide weights for adjusting weight and balance. The adaptable training putter head allows a golf player to visually ensure that a putting club is oriented correctly during a putting swing, to improve accuracy during golfing. The adaptable training putter head supports both regulation conformant and non-conformant configurations.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: F. Scott Mudgett
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Patent number: 9345946Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: iFetch, LLCInventors: Dennis W. Hamill, Deborah Lynn Hamill, Lee Elizabeth Hamill, Grant Patrick Hamill, Katie Marcella Hamill, Lucy Rejahl Hamill
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Patent number: 9345947Abstract: A gym is provided having multiple, private booths for members to perform exercises. The member typically moves from booth to booth to perform different exercises. Preferably, an automatically generated workout program, based upon member input and fitness and test results, guides the member from booth to booth and provides a workout regimen that can be automatically changed from day to day, based on feedback, to accommodate the member's changing abilities.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: HAI Logan Gym, LLCInventors: Robert D. Harris, Blake Harris
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Patent number: 9345948Abstract: A web-based platform and method for personalizing the training regimen of an athlete. The platform includes a processor and a training log server for maintaining an athlete profile that includes a training record updatable by the athlete and a training plan supplied by a coach.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Todd Martin
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Patent number: 9345949Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel game that utilizes virtual or physical trading cards as game components. In one aspect of the game, game components/cards are used to build an army of minion, leader, and army cards, and further forming a perimeter comprising at least one of a barrier or fort card to protect a throne card. The goal is to destroy at least one of the barrier or fort cards by reducing the points of each to zero, thus capturing the opponent's throne card. The game involves strategy and chance, during which players create a deck for use against the deck(s) of one or more opposing players. The game may be played on various media, including, but not limited to, electronic game consoles, computers, and interactive and social media networks accessed using computers, cellular devices, tablets, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Ted Andre Lucquito Gerard
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Patent number: 9345950Abstract: A new deck of cards and a method of facilitating a card game with said new deck of cards are provided. The method including receiving a set of wagers from a player on an outcome of a card game played using a deck of cards, the deck of cards including five groups of cards, each group of card represented by a unique suit and thirteen cards within each group of cards, the thirteen cards each having a unique rank, wherein the unique ranks include one of ace or one, the numbers two through ten, and three face cards, dealing the cards of the deck of cards according to one or more rules characterizing the card game and providing a return based on the outcome of the card game with respect to the set of wagers.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Las Vegas Sands Corp.Inventors: Andrew MacDonald, Kelvin Morin
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Patent number: 9345951Abstract: An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Zbigniew Czyzewski, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 9345952Abstract: A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & CO KGInventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
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Patent number: 9345953Abstract: A game assembly involving the arrangement of game pieces on a game board and permitting storage and transportation of the game pieces arranged on the game board in an intermediate stage of game play. The game assembly comprises a case having a plurality of hinged case segments which are foldable from open configuration exposing a game area to a closed configuration enclosing the game area. The hinged case segments includes lateral case segments hingedly joined to opposing edges of an internal case segment. The game area is formed from lateral and internal game elements. The lateral game elements are disposed on the lateral case segments. The internal game element are hingedly connected to one of the lateral game elements and rotatably moveable between being disposed on the internal case segment and being disposed on the one of the lateral game elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Peter Chuang
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Patent number: 9345954Abstract: A cribbage board having illuminating peg holes includes a discrete upper piece and a discrete lower piece. The top side of the upper piece includes a playing surface which is defined by a plurality of holes arranged as a first track and a second track, with each track including a continuous series of holes. The bottom side of the upper piece includes a plurality of distinct hollow channels, each running underneath a separate track of holes. In the hollow channels are a plurality of colored LEDs which illuminate when provided with electrical power. The LEDs are configured to illuminate underneath the first track of holes in a distinct color from the LEDs disposed underneath the second track of holes, so as to enable the different tracks of holes to be readily distinguished in a dark environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventor: Richard James Christensen, Jr.
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Patent number: 9345955Abstract: The patent application describes techniques for distributing information in a wagering game system. One method includes identifying one or more components to notify about events occurring in a wagering game system, where the one or more components facilitate secondary wagering games. The method can also include detecting the events, where some of the events arise from presenting primary wagering games. The method can also include reporting the events to the one or more components. The method can also include determining results for one or more of the secondary wagering games; and transmitting the results for presentation.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla
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Patent number: 9345956Abstract: A device and method is provided for simulating an outcome of a game, the device including a die having a plurality of faces, each face of the die being associated with an index value, a first wheel having a surface for rolling of the die, and a randomization mechanism coupled to the wheel and configured to cause a randomized motion of the wheel and die for a period of time to generate an outcome of game play, the outcome of game play being defined at least in part based on the index value of an exposed face of the plurality of faces of the die after the completion of the randomized motion.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Las Vegas Sands CorpInventors: Andrew MacDonald, Kelvin Morin, Wayne Stevens
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Patent number: 9345957Abstract: Technology is described for providing a personalized sport performance experience with three dimensional (3D) virtual data displayed by a near-eye, augmented reality display of a personal audiovisual (A/V) apparatus. A physical movement recommendation is determined for the user performing a sport based on skills data for the user for the sport, physical characteristics of the user, and 3D space positions for at least one or more sport objects. 3D virtual data depicting one or more visual guides for assisting the user in performing the physical movement recommendation may be displayed from a user perspective associated with a display field of view of the near-eye AR display. An avatar may also be displayed by the near-eye AR display performing a sport. The avatar may perform the sport interactively with the user or be displayed performing a prior performance of an individual represented by the avatar.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Kevin A. Geisner, Kathryn Stone Perez, Stephen G. Latta, Ben J. Sugden, Benjamin I. Vaught, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, John Clavin
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Patent number: 9345958Abstract: A view frustum, based on a virtual viewpoint, a gaze-point, and a view-angle, is formed in a virtual space in which objects including a player character and an obstacle are arranged. The gaze-point is set to be in a front area of the player character. The virtual viewpoint is set to be at a position separated from the player character by a certain distance in a rear area of the player character. Whether or not a line segment from the gaze-point to the virtual viewpoint crosses the obstacle is determined. The virtual viewpoint is reset to be at a position of a crossing coordinate nearest to the gaze-point. Such coordinate is from among crossing coordinates at which the line segment crosses the obstacle when the line segment crosses the obstacle to increase the view-angle from a preset reference angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SegaInventor: Tetsu Yoshimitsu
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Patent number: 9345959Abstract: An object of the present invention is to relieve time and effort required for manipulated input. The game program according to the present invention causes a computer to perform, an offering process to offer the game content to the user; a recording process to record an offered game content offered in the offering process, as an owned game content owned by the user; a reception process to receive a prearranged registration of a specified game content specified by an input from a user; a judgment process, when an offer game content is offered to a user in the offering process after the reception process, to compare the offered game content to the specified game content prearranged for registration, to judge whether or not the offered game content is to be made an owned game content of the user; and an update process to update a record of the owned game content owned by the user based on a judgment result in the judgment process.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Nonaka, Kazuhiro Yoshimi
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Patent number: 9345960Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments directed to a gaming system and method providing an enhanced winning hand display feature. In one embodiment, the gaming system displays a plurality of initial hands of cards, receives a hand formation input, and forms and displays a complete hand for each initial hand. For each complete hand, the gaming system determines whether that complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of a plurality of different winning hand categories. If at least one complete hand forms a winning hand associated with one of the winning hand categories, for each complete hand that forms one such winning hand, the gaming system displays the winning hand category associated with that winning hand, receives a selection of a displayed winning hand category, and adds an enhancement to the display of any complete hand that forms a winning hand associated with the selected winning hand category.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: IGTInventor: David R. Lark
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Patent number: 9345961Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which allow a player, the gaming device, and/or the gaming system to utilize exploding scatters. The electronic gaming device and/or method may utilize a plurality of reels. The plurality of reels may include one or more areas. The electronic gaming device and/or method may utilize a memory and a processor. The processor may generate one or more symbols to be located in the one or more areas. The one or more symbols may include a first expanding scatter symbol and a first dormant scatter symbol. The processor may modify the first dormant scatter symbol into an award value based on a first interaction determination.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.Inventor: Timothy Curtis Ryan
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Patent number: 9345962Abstract: An image is displayed on a portable display apparatus that outputs at least body state data based on an attitude and/or a motion of the portable display apparatus body and touch position data based on a touch position on a touch panel provided in the portable display apparatus. On the basis of the body state data and the touch position data, an attitude and/or a position of a first virtual camera for generating an image of a virtual world is controlled. A first image representing the virtual world viewed from the first virtual camera is displayed on the portable display apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yugo Hayashi, Keiichi Minato
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Patent number: 9345963Abstract: A setting change image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device while an in-play user is playing a game while viewing a game image displayed on a monitor. A user different from the in-play user can change various settings of the game without hindering the progress of the game performed by the in-play user, by operating the terminal device while viewing the setting change image displayed on the LCD, such as increasing the number of participants in the game, and changing difficulty level of the game.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventor: Masataka Takemoto