Samples -- Issued Patents & Publications

Golf cart shading system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A golf cart shading system shading of the occupants of a golf cart without limiting access to the rear golf cart storage area from the rear of the golf cart. Additionally, it provides a golf cart shade that is fitted to the golf cart, portable, easily installed and removed, and attachable to a wide range of golf cart designs. Even further, the shade has optional viewing windows with shade screening.

Content management system for creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user experiences   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for automatically creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user knowledge about sales related subjects. Described is an Internet-based system for assisting/motivating a population of users interested in information about certain categories of sales related subjects to automatically maintain the database content and to improve the usefulness and quality of the database information without any substantial management by the website owner-manager. The user opinions are primarily in the form of both comments and ratings of which sales-related subjects best provide assistance in completing a sale. Also a system for permitting users to access selected functions of the system for creating and viewing subjects from within other software applications.

Sleep support system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A sleep support system for comfortably supporting a user during sleep. More particularly, a sleep support system for face-down sleep in essentially a sitting position. The system is adapted for use with equipment and fixtures commonly found in patient recovery rooms, such as hospital beds and over-bed tables. The system provides comfortable head and arm support with a plurality of user-selectable positional adjustments. The system is foldable and portable. The system may be adapted for use with a wheelchair.

HEAT-TRANSFER SYSTEMS   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
An improved system for transferring heat, utilizing diols, specifically 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The system reduces the energy consumption, maintenance costs, corrosion, toxicity, and the risk of fire associated with such heat-dependent processes. Unlike traditional hydrocarbon heating fluids, diols do not require draining and replacement if a purifier is installed in the system. Business methods are also disclosed.

On-location electronics troubleshooting services system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A method and system for providing on-location troubleshooting services to homeowners and businesses for low-voltage electronic equipment and other on-location services. It employs the use of an Internet-based system for recording customer requests for service and subsequently automatically dispatching technicians and managing provision of the requested services. It also provides functions to support customer and technician recruitment and sign up. Additionally, it provides functions for recording customer satisfaction, requesting repair services and links to low-voltage electronics equipment suppliers for purchasing desired low-voltage electronics equipment. Service areas, work cells are established for groups of customers which are closely located geographically. Technicians are recruited and assigned responsibility for work cells based on whether their residence is in or close to a particular work cell or group of work cells. Customers and technicians may also access certain functions of the Internet-based system through telephones and telephone interface to the Internet-based system.

Heat-transfer systems   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
An improved system for transferring heat, utilizing diols, specifically 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The system reduces the energy consumption, maintenance costs, corrosion, toxicity, and the risk of fire associated with such heat-dependent processes. Unlike traditional hydrocarbon heating fluids, diols do not require draining and replacement if a purifier is installed in the system. Business methods are also disclosed.

Collaborative marketing mangement systems   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
Collaborative marketing systems for creating and streamlining effective and privacy-protected partner marketing opportunities for companies. They permit companies to become members of a partnership network of companies to gain exposure to customers of some of the other members companies' customers, yet keep their own customer database private. Each member agrees to introduce other member companies to their customers and can request to be introduced to the customers of other members as part of a defined event awareness initiative which may be implemented through email, direct mail or any other communication method. Provided are systems to promote rapid and continued growth of the partnership network and therefore marketing opportunities for members including cost sharing, event awareness initiative scheduling, planning and execution, and results tracking. The systems simplify, automate, standardize and leverage marketing partnership processes and are also intended to create and manage multiple networks of participating companies.

Waterproof personal storage system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A wearable waterproof storage system for protecting personal accessories, such as mobile phones and wallets, from water damage and/or the threat of theft. The system consists of a waterproof pouch with a screw-on cap, sewn into a wearable outer protective cover. Illustrated embodiments include a belted waist-pack and an article of clothing consisting of short trousers. The system is constructed from water-resistant and waterproof materials.

Modular-grid fence system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A modular-grid fence system that comprises integral connectors on each end that allows each respective grid to be connected to each other grid and form a fence. The connectors also provide that the modular-grid fence system may be utilized in angles from near zero degrees, to an in-line angle of 180 degrees. This connecting feature provides that the modular-grid fence system may be used to augment and provide additional restriction to an existing fence, or be used as a freestanding fence. In addition, the modular-grid fence system is stackable, easily assembled without tools, and storable or shippable in a flat container.

Broadband communication system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A broadband communication system which conceals broadband transceivers in architectural elements that appear to be standard stock architectural elements. It provides connectivity without negatively impacting aesthetics, and is easily integrated with the other systems and architectural features of a building.

Machine computational-processing systems for simulated-humanoid autonomous decision systems   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
Disclosed are computer systems with intelligent or autonomous decision systems which include means for determining relevancy, i.e., the threats to and opportunities of the autonomous decision system. Also disclosed are such autonomous decision systems constructed and arranged to interact sociably with humans, including the use of natural languages and bonding. The desired "whether concrete is included in abstract" computation system is enhanced by a system of categorizing natural objects using as primitives a set of self tendencies suitable, when hierarchically assigned to objects, to do incremental simulation of "future" situations (including such objects) from a presented situation. Using such primitives and computation system, planning, learning, languaging, etc., are efficiently accomplished.

Light-blocking shutter system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
An improved shutter and frame system for reducing light passing through and around a shutter. The system incorporates improved shutter manufacturing and a light blocking element along the sides of the louvers to block light from passing between the shutter frame and the louvers. The shutter utilizes a louver which never extends beyond the plane of the rear face of the shutter frame.

Personal competition logbook system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A personal competition logbook system with information, fields and formatting which remind and prompt a user to record the relevant and appropriate data and allows a user to conveniently track and archive results from judged competitions, such as Taekwondo, throughout a competitive season.

System for creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user opinions   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for automatically creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user opinions about subjects, particularly exceptional experiences. Described is an Internet system assisting/motivating a population of users interested in information about certain categories of subjects to automatically maintain the database content and to improve the usefulness and quality of the database information without any substantial management by the website owner-manager. The user opinions are primarily in the form of both comments and ratings about which natural-language terms best describe a particular subject, enabling user searches of the subject database to be by way of preferred such descriptive natural-language terms, which terms are further preferred to be evaluative and approving. Also, a system for automatically creating and maintaining a database of information utilizing user knowledge about sales related subjects. Described is an Internet-based system for assisting/motivating a population of users interested in information about certain categories of sales related subjects to automatically maintain the database content and to improve the usefulness and quality of the database information without any substantial management by the website owner-manager. The user opinions are primarily in the form of both comments and ratings of which sales related subjects best provide assistance in completing a sale.

Heat exchanger systems   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A heat exchanger system, for transferring waste heat from a stream of exhaust air produced in a dryer to a stream of fresh air directed to flow into the dryer, including a retriever, or retriever, comprising an array of a plurality of substantially mutually parallel, substantially vertical heat-transfer conduits having square cross-sections arrayed in alternating staggered rows relative to a perpendicular to the general direction of the flow of the stream of fresh air into the dryer, wherein each heat-transfer conduit is oriented to have one corner facing in the general direction of the flow of the stream of fresh air into the dryer. Associated structure for housing the retriever, supporting it in the flow of fresh air, and directing dryer exhaust air into the heat-transfer conduits is also included. The heat exchanger system is adaptable to a wide variety of dryers, and may be built-in.

Lashing system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
An improved lashing system for use with open-bed transport cargo. More specifically, an efficient system for the manual tie-down of tarpaulins or netting used to protect flatbed trailer cargo. The system comprises a plurality of hook-shaped cord positioning components, adjustably supported on the perimeter side rail of a flatbed trailer. The hook-shaped components allow a lasher to secure the tie-down cord of the tarp or net by simple looping action over a rod or similar open member.

Cluster mailbox protective gate system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for protecting cluster mailboxes such as neighborhood delivery and collection box units (NDCBU's) and Cluster Box Units (CBU's)from vandalism or theft of the mail. A custom-fit protective gate is built and installed around the mail carrier access doors of a cluster mailbox. The protective gate is built to aesthetically blend in with the neighborhood environment and may include decorative accoutrements such as decorative screening. Further, the system provides a means to install USPTO locks thereby providing uniform access by mail carriers. Even further, the system provides for double nesting doors to access a flat wall unit collection box, such that users may have secured access to individual mailboxes and a mail person may have secured master access to all mailboxes.

Manhole debris-catching system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A debris-catching system for preventing debris from falling into the pipe opening at the bottom of a manhole catch basin. The debris-catcher comprises two semi-circular halves hinged together such that the two halves may be folded and inserted into a manhole opening. The debris-catcher comprises aligned apertures that allow it to be hooked and lowered into a manhole. The two halves are opened up to form a circular blocker which sets on the manhole bottom flat base. The debris-catcher allows normal effluent flow through the manhole while in place. The debris-catcher floats and will do so during an overflow condition. Further, the debris-catcher will resume its protective function after an overflow condition has subsided.

Toilet flush system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
Collaborative management systems for creating and streamlining effective and privacy-protected partner marketing opportunities for companies. They permit companies to become members of a partnership network of companies to gain exposure to customers of some of the other members companies’ customers, yet keep their own customer database private. Each member agrees to introduce other member companies to their customers and can request to be introduced to the customers of the other members as part of a defined event awareness initiative which may be implemented through email, direct mail or any other communication method. Provided are systems to promote rapid and continued growth of the partnership network and therefore marketing opportunities for members including cost sharing, event awareness initiative scheduling, planning and execution, and results tracking. The systems simplify, automate, standardize and leverage marketing partnership processes and are also intended to create and manage multiple networks of participating companies.

WASTE OIL ELECTRICAL GENERATION SYSTEM   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
An improved electrical generation system (100) utilizing environmentally hazardous waste oils (104) as a combustible fuel. More particularly, a system (100) to generate electrical power using a Stirling-cycle engine (134) driving an electrical generator(138). The Stirling-cycle engine (134) is powered by the heat energy produced by a waste-oil-fired furnace(130). The system (100) is of a co-generation type, producing electricity and a combination of space heating and hot water.