Patents Issued in July 25, 2017
  • Patent number: 9713732
    Abstract: A fire suppressant mixture comprising: an organic or supplemental organic fire suppressant compound; a halogen element, and an organic compound, wherein the organic fire suppressant compound, the halogen element and the organic compound are combined such that a boiling point of the mixture is lower than the boiling point of the organic fire suppressant. In some embodiments, the organic fire suppressant compound is FK 5-1-12 and the organic compound is carbon dioxide. In other embodiments, the mixture is supplemented with an additional organic compound such as CF3I or 2,2-Dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (R123), or an halogen element. In some embodiments an inorganic pressurizing gas, such as nitrogen, is also added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MEGGITT SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Mitchell, John F. Black, Kurt E. Mills
  • Patent number: 9713733
    Abstract: An exerciser and an elastic band. The exerciser includes first and second arms, a connector, and at least one elastic band. The first arm has a first body portion and first and second ends extending from the first body portion. The first body portion includes a first elongate slot and a first hinge portion disposed on opposite sides of the first body portion. The exerciser includes a second arm having a second body portion and first and second ends extending from the second body portion. The second body portion includes a second elongate slot and a second hinge portion disposed on opposite sides of the second body portion. The exerciser includes a connector rotatably coupling the first and second hinge portions of the respective first and second arms. The exerciser includes at least one elastic band formed as a continuous loop and disposed within the first and second elongate slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dennis, David W. Frey
  • Patent number: 9713734
    Abstract: In one embodiment a fitness device is disclosed. The fitness device may include a central handle having a body with a central aperture through the body. The device may also include a first rod removably coupled to the central handle at a first location and a second rod removably coupled to the central handle at a second location, opposite the first location. The device may also include an elastic member having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the first rod and the second end being coupled to the second rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GH Product Design and Development, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Hurlbut
  • Patent number: 9713735
    Abstract: A polyvalent apparatus for physical therapy including a support to which is fastened a first tool provided for a specific treatment, a second and a third tool provided for a specific treatment, the second and the third tool being connected to the support in combination with the first tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Gianni Lanfranco
  • Patent number: 9713736
    Abstract: A dumbbell with detachable weights has a handle assembly, multiple weights, a first end cap assembly, and a second end cap assembly. The handle assembly has a main support with a handle, a first end panel, and a second end panel. The weights are mounted between the first and second end panels of the main support, are arranged around the handle, and are radially detachable from the main support. The first and second end cap assemblies are respectively mounted on the first and second end panels and selectively engage with the weights. By turning a driving cap of the first end cap assembly, the first and second end cap assemblies can disengage from the weights. Since the weights can be radially mounted onto or detached from the main support, an adjusting range of the training weight of the dumbbell can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Chien-Ping Kao
  • Patent number: 9713737
    Abstract: A pedal mechanism for use with a stair-climber includes a first pedal unit, a second pedal unit, a restoring unit, and a baffling board. The first pedal unit has a first pedal holder and a first pedal disposed at the first pedal holder. The second pedal unit has a second pedal holder and a second pedal disposed at the second pedal holder. The restoring unit is disposed at the first pedal holder of the first pedal unit and has a restoring element. The baffling board is movably disposed between the first pedal holder and the first pedal. The baffling board has one end connected to the restoring element and the other end pivotally connected to the second pedal. The baffling board always conceals hollowed-out regions disposed between the first and second pedals, regardless of any change in the positions of the first and second pedals relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Healthstream Taiwan Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Ting Chen
  • Patent number: 9713738
    Abstract: An apparatus for exercising the muscles, comprising a power arm having actuating elements at one end area, and where the other end of the power arm is pivotally connected to a holding element through a first hinge. The apparatus further comprises a spring element, wherein one end of the spring element is linked to the power arm at a first articulation point, and a second end of the spring element is linked to the holding element through a second articulation point. A support is further included which lies on an imaginary plane defined by an x-axis and a y-axis. The holding element is connected to the support by a rotary hinge which allows the holding element to rotate with respect to the support about a shaft which lies on an axis that is normal to the imaginary plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BLBW AG
    Inventor: Michael Schrag
  • Patent number: 9713739
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus having a pulley, a pair of stabilizing assemblies each configured to couple a front portion of a respective pedal element to each side of the pulley, a looped belt configured to couple the pulley to a resistance assembly, a tension stabilizer configured to maintain a tension of the looped belt on the pulley, and the resistance assembly configured to assert an adjustable resistance to the pedal elements through the looped belt, where the resistance is adjusted by changing a distance between a flywheel element and a corresponding magnetic plate element of the resistance assembly, the magnetic plate asserting a magnetic force over the distance on the flywheel element and the looped belt looping around a co-rotating extension from the flywheel element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: FITNESS CUBED INC.
    Inventor: Arnav Dalmia
  • Patent number: 9713740
    Abstract: An abdominal exercising device includes a base supporting member having a seat element for supporting a user, two handles each having a lower portion rotatably attached to the base supporting member with a pivot shaft, two spring biasing members engaged between the handles and the base supporting member for biasing the handles relative to the base supporting member, and two adjusting members are engaged with the beams of the base supporting member respectively and engageable with the spring biasing members for adjusting the spring biasing members relative to the base supporting member and the handles and for adjusting the spring biasing force to the handles and for users of different strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 9713741
    Abstract: The pull up dip device is an adjustable exercise device that is intended for home use. The pull up dip device is portable, can be easily folded for storage and optionally incorporates a plurality of spike sleeves for stability in outdoor use. The pull up dip device is adapted for use in pull ups, chin ups, dips, and speed bag use. The pull up dip device comprises a base, a post, a U bar, a plurality of post attachments, and a plurality of base attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Brian Tolliver
  • Patent number: 9713742
    Abstract: An exercise machine suitable to assume various operating modes. The exercise machine includes a control interface which comprises a control device configured to receive at least one command by a user to be provided to the exercise machine for performing a physical exercise. The control device is further configured to provide the user with a piece of information representative of the operating mode of the exercise machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Technogym S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Pasini, Ivan Faedi
  • Patent number: 9713743
    Abstract: Each club in the bag has a small sensor mount on its shaft with indicia indicating what club (9-iron, 7-iron, fairway 5-wood etc.) the mount is attached to. A swing sensor can then engage the mount and read the indicia, sending both sensed swing information and club type to an app on the golfer's mobile phone. In this way, the app knows not only the swing information but also the type of club that was used to generate that swing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Friedlander, David Young
  • Patent number: 9713744
    Abstract: Provided are a control apparatus and method for an exercise therapy device, including: an isokinetic load control part for holding and adjusting a target rotation speed value and a gain for a left pedal and a target rotation speed value and a gain for a right pedal independently, to thereby perform the isokinetic load control to control a load torque to be applied to the left pedal and a load torque to be applied to the right pedal independently; and a switch for determining which of the isokinetic load control for the left pedal and the isokinetic load control for the right pedal is to be used, to thereby switch a measured rotation speed value and a target torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hironori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9713745
    Abstract: A device for supporting an exerciser performing callisthenic exercises that includes a right and left, rigid, upright frame supports and an intermediate fork assembly. The fork assembly is adjustable in length and linked to the front sections of the two frame supports. Each frame support is angled inward to provide greater stability. The rear sections of the frame supports are detached and may be rotated laterally to reposition the gripping surfaces on the two frame supports and to adjust the size of the exercise space located between the two frame supports to accommodate different individuals and exercises. Each frame support includes an adjustable front leg and an adjustable rear leg that allows height adjustment of each frame support. The device may include one or two pairs of handles attached to the two frame supports, and a suspension seat and one or two horizontal bars extending between the two frame supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Kim Rogers
  • Patent number: 9713746
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples covering greater than 70 percent of the outer surface, wherein at least 20 percent of the dimples incorporate directional surface texturing therein. The directional surface texturing preferably comprises substantially parallel channels or protrusions formed within the dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Chris Hixenbaugh, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 9713747
    Abstract: A golf ball has a large number of dimples on a surface thereof. The golf ball meets the following mathematical formula (I): Su?9.0*So?6.04??(I), Where: So represents a ratio of a sum of spherical surface areas of all the dimples to a surface area of a phantom sphere of the golf ball; and Su represents a standard deviation (mm2) of the spherical surface areas of all the dimples. Preferably, the ratio So is equal to or greater than 0.780. Preferably, the standard deviation Su is equal to or less than 2.150 mm2. Preferably, a number of the dimples is equal to or greater than 300 but equal to or less than 390. Preferably, an average Sa of the spherical surface areas s of all the dimples is equal to or greater than 14.00 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Hyoungchol Kim
  • Patent number: 9713748
    Abstract: Golf ball and method for making it, comprising a first layer that comprises a first polymeric composition and is surrounded by and adjacent to a second layer comprising a second polymeric composition different than the first polymeric composition; with one of these layers further comprising at least one silane-containing adhesion promoter such as organosilanes and/or organosiloxanes throughout in an amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % of the entire layer. Neither layer is surface treated with at least one silane-containing adhesion promoter. The second layer may be the layer comprising the silane-containing adhesion promoter throughout, surrounded by a third layer that comprises a third polymeric composition that differs from the second polymeric composition and does not incorporate any silane-containing adhesion promoter. Strong interlayer bonding is therefore created both between the second layer and the first layer and between the second layer and the third layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 9713749
    Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or negative hardness gradient center that, optionally, is hard relative to an intermediate core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • Patent number: 9713750
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Joshua M. Boggs, Matthew P. Rubal
  • Patent number: 9713751
    Abstract: A wedge type golf club head is disclosed herein where the wedge type golf club head has enhanced performance characteristics such as improved backspin, ball speed, and launch angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wedge type golf club head having an adjustable center of gravity, where the center of gravity may be adjusted based on different backing profiles that comprises at least one hollow chamber. The wedge type golf club head disclosed above may also have a thickened topline, wherein the thickness of the topline progressively changes as a function of the loft angle of the wedge type golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ronald K. Hettinger, Kevin Tassistro
  • Patent number: 9713752
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a channel and an expandable weight that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The weight comprises at least an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and preferably is formed of a metal material co-molded with a polymeric material such as rubber. The channel has an opening with a width that is less than the width of both an inner part of the channel and the weight, such that the weight cannot fall out of the channel during use. The channel may also have an end that opens into a port, which can be filled with a plug or weight screw to prevent the weight from falling out of the channel, and also can be removed so that the weight can be removed and replaced with another expandable weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew Myers, Wee Joung Kim
  • Patent number: 9713753
    Abstract: A shaft 6 includes at least two hoop layers s3 and s8, at least one bias layer, and at least one straight layer. An interposition layer other than the hoop layer is present between every opposing hoop layers. An average thickness of the opposing hoop layers is defined as t, and a total thickness of the interposition layer is defined as T. The shaft 6 satisfies the following formula (1): T/t?1.9??(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9713754
    Abstract: A modular golf bag having an external frame is provided. Poles connect a frame top capable of receiving golf clubs to a frame bottom. A pliable bag body extends between the frame top and the frame bottom such that a cavity capable of receiving golf clubs through the frame top is formed. Poles may be affixed to the pliable bag body using internally positioned pole sleeves, one or more slits in the pliable bag body, or a combination thereof. Also, storage compartments may be detachably connected between the poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather L. Herron, Pierre A. Pactanac, Michael Wallans, Jeffrey W. Wear
  • Patent number: 9713755
    Abstract: A golf green repair tool having a plurality of spears centered around a plurality of tines. The tines and spears are biased by a spring inside a housing and sleeve. When the cap the housing is pressed by the foot of a greenskeeper or golfer the spring is compressed forcing the tines and spears into the turf. The tines are inserted around the periphery of the ball-mark to aerate and loosen the turf. The spears are inserted into the center of the ball-mark and aerate and pull the bottom of the ball-mark to the level of the surrounding turf. The bottom side of the ground-contacting sleeve pressed down the raised rim of the ball-mark correcting the entire ball-mark to the level of the surrounding turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Felix Paz
  • Patent number: 9713756
    Abstract: An Internet of Thing (IoT) sport device includes a helmet and sensors including a camera and an accelerometer; a processor; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 9713757
    Abstract: A golf glove employing a cleaning member includes a palm portion and an opposing back portion having an opening for receiving the cleaning member. The cleaning member may be fixedly connected to the back portion of the glove. A flap member attached to the back portion of the glove is positionable between a closed position, in which the flap member overlays at least a portion of the cleaning member, and an open position, in which the flap member is displaced from the back portion of the glove to provide access to the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RMS GLOVE, LLC.
    Inventors: Matthew Nicholas Wiseman, Staci Lynn Hayman
  • Patent number: 9713758
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a boot frame comprising: a) a base; b) two side supports; c) a toe binding; d) a heel binding; e) an ankle support; f) a calf support; and g) at least one strap configured to secure a boot to the boot frame, wherein the side supports are independently adjustable, and wherein adjusting the side supports allows for a boot to line up at an angle relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin John Lefsrud
  • Patent number: 9713759
    Abstract: Ski pole accessories are described herein. Ski pole accessories can include a releasable ski pole basket system, a ski pole clamp system, and a releasable ski pole strap system. A ski pole basket system can include a ski pole ferrule and a ski pole basket having a slot therethrough that receives and secures the ski pole ferrule. A ski pole clamp system can include a rubber mold with a first and a second thickness to secure the ski pole clamp to an upper component and a lower component of a ski pole. A releasable ski pole strap system can include a pole mount including a jaw that engages a strap attachment member, where operation of the jaw disengages the strap attachment member from the ski pole mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew D. Liebner
  • Patent number: 9713760
    Abstract: A marker cone system which provides users with greater spatial awareness and guidance when using marker cones for sports training or other sports and/or non-sports related activities. The marker cone system generally includes a weight which may be installed underneath the marker cone and a post receiver which may be installed within the channel of a marker cone. The post receiver and weight will generally be connected together, such as by threaded engagement, with the marker cone being secured therebetween. A marker post may be removably inserted within the post receiver to improve visibility or provide additional functionality. The marker post may include a slot to reduce wind resistance and one or more receiver openings adapted to removably receive cross members. By utilizing multiple marker posts with post receivers, one may construct a hurdle, fence, goal, or any number of structures for sports or non-sports applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua C. Peacock, Jacob A. Peacock
  • Patent number: 9713761
    Abstract: A card shuffler that moves cards one at a time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Sampson, Steven L. Forte
  • Patent number: 9713762
    Abstract: Two modified roulette wheels are used to generate a pair of cards for a card game. Players may wager on one or more outcomes selected from a group of predetermined outcomes including one of the wheels producing a winning card value, the wheels producing equal card values, one or more of the wheels producing a card value below a first predetermined value, and one or more of the wheels producing a card value above a second predetermined value. The wheels are spun to produce one or more game outcomes from the group of predetermined outcomes, and the wagers are settled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: Las Vegas Sands Corp., Venetian Macau Limited
    Inventors: Andrew MacDonald, Baybars Bora Oral, Cetin Tanisman
  • Patent number: 9713763
    Abstract: A gaming device and its example operations include detecting, via a secondary gaming controller, an electronic request for funding a second casino wagering game (“second game”) concurrently presented with a first casino wagering game (“first game”) via an electronic display device associated with a wagering game machine. The first game includes first content that originates from a first content source. The second game includes second content that originates from a second content source independent from the first content source. The first game is funded via user input of monetary value via a value input device associated with the wagering game machine. The operations can further include initiating, by the second game controller, access to funds associated with the first game. The operations can further include electronically routing accessed funds associated with the first game to fund one or more wagers for the second game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9713764
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for managing a football match on a hand held computerized device is presented. The hand held computerized devices includes a first display screen disposed substantially opposite a second display screen. Pre-match information for a first team and a second team are entered into the hand held computer device. Match related events, such as goals, penalties and substitutions are entered on the hand held computer device. The device compiles match events and said pre-match information into a match log, and wirelessly transmits the match log to a receiver, such as a match following device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Zvi Minkovitch
  • Patent number: 9713765
    Abstract: Technologies and implementations for providing an online game experience using multiple devices are generally disclosed including methods and devices for, in some examples, receiving first data from a first device, the received first data being associated with a first interaction with the online game, receiving a request to utilize a second device and responsive to the received request, transmitting second data to the second device, the second data being associated with a second interaction with the online game, the second interaction related to the first interaction but being different from the first interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Yang-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 9713766
    Abstract: A method of interactive game play is provided wherein a seemingly magical wand toy is provided for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys, a master system and/or to actuate various play effects within a play environment. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/received radio frequency communications protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magical interactive play experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MQ Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Barney, Denise Chapman Weston
  • Patent number: 9713767
    Abstract: A device for online gaming includes a gaming accessory provisioned with a configuration that includes a group of settings of operating parameters for the gaming accessory. The group of settings corresponds to selections from first equipment of a user via an accessory management application. Upon initiation of a gaming session, the gaming accessory is in communication with second equipment of the user. The gaming accessory is not in communication with the first equipment of the user and is not in communication with the second equipment of the user prior to the initiation of the gaming session. The accessory management application can be a client application of a server remote from the first equipment of the user and the second equipment of the user. The group of settings can be received from the first equipment of the user via a graphical user interface presented by the accessory management application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Andrew Olcott
  • Patent number: 9713768
    Abstract: The present invention is a game controller including a housing; a plurality of game controls disposed on a first side of the housing; a lever disposed on a second side of the housing; a first switch configured to contact a first end region of the lever; and a second switch configured to contact a second end region of the lever, wherein the lever is configured to pivot between a neutral position in which the lever returns when no force is applied thereon, a first position in which the first switch is activated and a second position in which the second switch is activated. In another aspect, a lever assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RAZER (ASIA-PACIFIC) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Lawrence King Uy, Weiming Gabriel Chan, Zizhong Yu
  • Patent number: 9713770
    Abstract: A system for a-synchronous multi-player network-based and turn-based gaming, the system comprising: a client associated with a processing unit and being configured to communicate over a network with a gaming server and receive a tournament invitation and at least one game move notification therefrom; the client is further configured to receive participation authorization indication from a player and instruct the processing unit to perform at least the following: send the participation authorization to the gaming server; receive at least one game move instruction from a player within a time interval parameter defining a time-window during which said player has to make a game move in his turn; and send the game move instruction to the gaming server if the time interval is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Playtika Ltd.
    Inventor: Gilad Almog
  • Patent number: 9713771
    Abstract: An example device includes a touchscreen and a processing system in communication with the touchscreen. The processing system is configured to perform operations including detecting a touch-on position on the touchscreen, setting a reference position based on the touch-on position, continuously detecting subsequent touch positions on the touchscreen after detecting the touch-on, and continuously performing operations based on one or both of a direction and a distance from the reference position to the subsequent touch positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9713772
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of controlling a display of a computer device comprising: rendering on the display a game board having selectable game objects and detecting a user input to select a game object to cause the game object to move in a direction. When a selected game object is moved to an adjacent new tile location, the game object at that tile location is swapped with the selected game object. Match data for the selected game object is generated indicating whether the move results in at least three game objects of the same characteristic occupying adjacent tile locations in the game board, and, if so, the move is implemented and an animation of the move is rendered, wherein the selected game object slides in the direction up to a blocking condition which prevents further movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Frostberg, Nils von Segebaden
  • Patent number: 9713773
    Abstract: A game system executes a first match based on at least one first game object which a first player uses and a plurality of opponent game objects which an opponent uses and are not the opponent itself, executes a second match based on at least one second game object which a second player uses and the plurality of opponent game objects, and identifies at least one opponent game object which is selected by the first player as at least one selected game object. The game system also acquires input information that is input by the first player during or after the first match in regard to the at least one selected game object. The game system records, in an online storage, the input information in association with the at least one selected game object and presents to the second player, the input information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9713774
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an enhanced contextual chat feature in online environments. The contextual chat feature may be used to present users with a list of expressions that may be sent to other users within an online environment (or to users in other online environments). The list of messages may be derived from a linguistic profile which itself may change as the use of language in an online environment (or by a particular user group) evolves, over time. In cases where a user sends a contextual chat message to another user in the same online environment, messages may be sent without being altered. However, when a user selects a contextual chat message from the list to send to a user in another online environment, the message may be translated based on a linguistic profile associated with users in the second environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus J. Hoomani, Vita Markman
  • Patent number: 9713775
    Abstract: A balloon gun comprising a hollow cylindrical body, one or more hand grips attached to the cylindrical body, a release trigger pivotally mounted on one of the hand grips or on the hollow cylindrical body and a balloon attaching mechanism. A balloon inflated with a fluid can be inserted inside the hollow cylindrical body and the inflated balloon is held by the balloon attaching mechanism. When the trigger is pressed the neck of the inflated balloon gets released from the balloon attaching mechanism and by the difference in fluid pressure that exists between the inside and outside of the balloon, the fluid rushes out of the balloon once the neck gets released from the balloon attaching mechanism and the force of the fluid coming out of the inflated balloon pushes the balloon forward and the balloon flies till the fluid pressures inside and outside of the balloon get equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Innovation LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Cogliandro
  • Patent number: 9713776
    Abstract: A multi-component collapsible and portable shape-sorting learning and development toy including a soft housing, an aperture plate element with a plurality of openings together with a matching number of blocks adapted to be inserted in the openings of the aperture plate element, a photographic display element, and a baby-safe mirror element. The toy and the individual component parts are adapted to a variety of uses for play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Dwight N Leung
  • Patent number: 9713777
    Abstract: A construction toy is provided, with illustrated panels that connect together magnetically to assemble two- and three-dimensional structures and background scenery, optionally with accessory items that bind magnetically or mechanically to the panels to embellish the structures or scenes that are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Build & Imagine, LLC
    Inventor: Laura E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9713778
    Abstract: A method for constructing a spiral tube support apparatus used in countercurrent chromatography, improvements to countercurrent chromatography tube support design, and methods of using the improved countercurrent chromatography apparatus are described. The spiral tube support apparatus may be constructed by a shape forming process such as a three dimensional printing process that in turn uses a laser sintering technique, and can be made out of any easily formed material. Shape changes on both the tube support and the top improve the performance of the tube support and ease of manufacturing. The improved tube support and new method of creation permit use in both micro or macro scale preparations and use in small or large molecule preparations. In particular, specific solvent systems are described that permit purification of proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Martha Knight, Thomas Finn
  • Patent number: 9713779
    Abstract: A method of subsiding foam resulting from an industrial process and moving it in a predetermined direction on the surface of an industrial-process liquid includes establishing a foam-displacement direction and a foam-displacement path. At least two fluid-spray sources from which a foam-subsiding fluid can be ejected are arranged serially above the industrial-process liquid and foam accumulating thereon. The fluid-spray sources are oriented and caused to eject foam-subsiding fluid such that foam impacted by foam-subsiding fluid ejected from the first fluid-spray source is wetted, partially subsided and displaced in the foam-displacement direction toward the spray being ejected from the second fluid-spray source by which the foam is further wetted, subsided and displaced in the foam displacement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: CHEMFREE DEFOAM LLC
    Inventor: William Lewis Emkey
  • Patent number: 9713780
    Abstract: A compact rotating separator apparatus to which a fluid stream containing gas, two liquids of different density, and solids is supplied via nozzles or exhaust from a process component; and which employs high centrifugal forces to produce pure streams of the gas, each of the liquids, and a waste stream containing the solids. The energy in the fluid stream is converted to shaft power in the rotating separator apparatus and can be used to generate power. Oil, gas, water and solids from a production well can be directly separated into the constituent streams while producing useful power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Energent Corporation
    Inventors: Lance G. Hays, Shawn Barge
  • Patent number: 9713781
    Abstract: Filter assemblies, filter modules, and filtration systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: AQUASANA, INC.
    Inventor: Wes Russell
  • Patent number: 9713782
    Abstract: A filter has first and second fittings, a permeable filter medium, and a housing. The housing defines a fluid flow path within the housing between the first and second fittings, and the permeable filter medium is arranged in the fluid flow path to remove one or more substances from a fluid flowing along the fluid flow path. A reservoir is positioned in an upper region of the housing and includes a wall surrounding the first and second fittings of the filter. Each of the fittings has a topmost portion and the wall of the reservoir has a topmost portion, the topmost portion of each filter fitting being at or below the topmost portion of the reservoir wall. A filter arrangement may include a filter and a manifold assembly having first and second fittings which may be sealingly coupled to or uncoupled from the first and second fittings of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Lam, Jacob Peter Vanderheyden, Mark William Foohey, Tatsuya Hoshino