Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080283164 | Roll-On Protective Covers for Hand-Held Consumer Electronic Devices - According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are provided of covers for hand-held consumer electronic devices. In one particular embodiment, a roll-on cover generally includes elastomeric material configured to be unrolled to snugly fit over and conform to an outer surface portion of a hand-held consumer electronic device. | 11-20-2008 |
20080284217 | Apparatus and Methods for Covering Outdoor Patio Furniture - In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for covering a piece of furniture generally includes a base, a spool rotatably supported by the base, and a cover coupled to the spool. The apparatus may also include an attachment device for removably attaching a portion of the cover to the furniture piece for helping retain the cover's position relative to the furniture piece. The spool may be rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding the cover onto the spool. The spool may also be rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding the cover from the spool, to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece. | 11-20-2008 |
20090139115 | HINGE APPARATUS - Various exemplary embodiments are provided of hinge apparatus, which may be used, for example, to hingedly connect upper and lower frame members of a device or tool. In one embodiment of a hinge apparatus, first and second linking members each include a base portion, sidewalls, and flange portions. The flange portions define sets of openings configured to receive a portion of a first connector, for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the upper frame member relative to the lower frame member in an open, ready-for-use configuration. The linking members include connector openings configured to receive a portion of a second connector. When the first connector is not engaged with any set of openings, the upper frame member is pivotably movable relative to the lower frame member about the second connector to a closed, collapsed configuration in which the upper frame member is alongside the lower frame member. | 06-04-2009 |
20090139116 | WHEEL ASSEMBLIES - Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheel assemblies and tires. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly generally includes first and second wheel pieces attachable to each other. The first and second wheel pieces may include respective first and second rim portions. Each of the first and second rim portions may include an arced portion that defines only a portion of a circumference of a rim, such that the arced portions collectively define the circumference of the rim when the first and second wheel pieces are attached. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably engagable in a first axial direction that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel assembly. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably disengagable in a second axial direction that is generally opposite the first axial direction. | 06-04-2009 |
20100018474 | METHODS AND ADAPTER SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING SLACK IN LEASHES - According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of a system for managing slack in a leash, such as when the leash is attached to a collar worn by an animal. In one exemplary embodiment, the system generally includes an elastic adapter and at least one eyelet operatively associated with the elastic adapter member. The eyelet includes an opening therethrough configured to frictionally receive at least a portion of the leash therein. A first member is adjacent a proximal end portion of the elastic adapter for anchoring, attaching, or engaging to the leash. A second member is adjacent a distal end portion of the elastic adapter for anchoring, attaching, or engaging to the leash. | 01-28-2010 |
20100108182 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PRESERVING LIQUIDS, PAINTS, AND OTHER MATERIALS - Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of devices and methods for removing excess air from containers and/or for preserving liquids, paints, and other materials (including semi-liquids and even some solids) that might otherwise dry out, oxidize, or turn bad in some way after being opened, such as paint, wine, food, beverages, etc., when seals of the containers holding the same might be compromised over the passage of time and/or from use, etc. | 05-06-2010 |
20100188931 | DESIGN AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF SUBMARINE AND OTHER WATER CRAFT SONAR SENSORS, ARRAYS AND/OR HYDROPHONES - Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of devices to attach to submarines or other water craft to enable a sonar array to function better at higher water speeds. When operated, the devices slow down or fully offset the mounted array's (hydrophones' or arrays') relative water speed and reduce the water friction noise on the array, allowing it to function more optimally. In an exemplary embodiment, a device includes a telescoping boom that can be alternately retracted and extended to provide cycles (or rotates to provide similar cycles for any one array) of higher performance reception and “hearing” by the array, as its relative water speed is reduced or offset. The device can be mounted on the external surface of the hull to “retrofit” existing craft or built so that in the telescoping embodiment, the housing can be fully retracted and hidden from view and otherwise protected more fully when not in use. | 07-29-2010 |
20100192423 | WHEELED SHOVELS - Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheeled shovels. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheeled shovel generally includes a wheel assembly having an axle and a wheel. The wheeled shovel also includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame may be disposed relative to the axle such that the axle is operable as a fulcrum about which the frame may pivot. A handle may be disposed at about the upper portion of the frame. A shovel blade may be disposed at about the lower portion of the frame. The wheel assembly, frame, handle, and shovel blade may be cooperatively configured so as to enable the wheeled shovel to throw a load of material generally upwardly and forwardly away from the shovel blade in response to a sufficient force applied to the handle for pivoting the frame relative to the axle with a recoil generated through the fulcrum at the axle. | 08-05-2010 |
20110041954 | Devices and Methods Relating to the Cleanup of Leaves, to Pouring or Filling Non-Liquids, and/or to Reconfigurable Funneling Apparatus - Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices and methods, which may aid in leaf and debris (or other particles) cleanup or transport sometimes used in conjunction with tarps and/or filling of garbage cans and garbage/leaf bags, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a funneling apparatus generally includes a sheet having edges defining a perimeter. A stay may be disposed along at least one of the edges and at least partially along the perimeter of the sheet. The funneling apparatus may be reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the sheet is substantially flat and a second configuration in which the sheet is rolled into at least one funnel-like configuration. The stay may be operable for helping the sheet remain substantially flat for the first configuration of the funneling apparatus and/or for helping retain the funnel-like configuration for the second configuration of the funneling apparatus. | 02-24-2011 |
20110277883 | DEVICES AND METHODS RELATING TO THE CLEANUP OF LEAVES, TO POURING OR FILLING NON-LIQUIDS, AND/OR TO RECONFIGURABLE FUNNELING APPARATUS - Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices and methods, which may aid in leaf and debris (or other particles) cleanup or transport sometimes used in conjunction with tarps and/or filling of garbage cans and garbage/leaf bags, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a funneling apparatus generally includes a sheet having edges defining a perimeter. A stay may be disposed along at least one of the edges and at least partially along the perimeter of the sheet. The funneling apparatus may be reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the sheet is substantially flat and a second configuration in which the sheet is rolled into at least one funnel-like configuration. The stay may be operable for helping the sheet remain substantially flat for the first configuration of the funneling apparatus and/or for helping retain the funnel-like configuration for the second configuration of the funneling apparatus. | 11-17-2011 |
20110309120 | Devices and Methods For Securing Skis, Snowboards, etc. to Crossbars of Vehicle Roof Racks - The present disclosure generally relates to devices that can be used for mounting and securing skis, snowboards, among other equipment to vehicle roof racks (e.g., luggage racks, factor-installed racks, after-market racks, etc.), such as those having crossbars. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a device suitable for use in securing an article to a vehicle roof rack having one or more crossbars. The device generally includes at least one hook component including a curved portion configured to be hooked under a crossbar of a vehicle roof rack. The device also includes a clamping apparatus operable for creating a clamping force to secure the device and the article to the crossbar. | 12-22-2011 |
20120292883 | CONVERTIBLE WHEELCHAIRS WITH MOVABLE CARRIAGES FOR TRANSFERRING PATIENTS TO/FROM THE WHEELCHAIRS - Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair. | 11-22-2012 |
20140121044 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RETAINING TENNIS BALLS HIT INTO TENNIS NETS - According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of apparatus and methods for retaining (e.g., controlling, funneling, redirecting, gathering, and/or capturing, etc.) tennis balls hit into tennis nets, to inhibit or prevent the tennis balls from bouncing off or rolling away from a tennis net back onto the main playing surface of a tennis court. | 05-01-2014 |
20140131405 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SECURING SKIS, SNOWBOARDS, ETC. TO CROSSBARS OF VEHICLE ROOF RACKS - The present disclosure generally relates to devices that can be used for mounting and securing skis, snowboards, among other equipment to vehicle roof racks (e.g., luggage racks, factory-installed racks, after-market racks, etc.), such as those having crossbars. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a device suitable for use in securing an article to a vehicle roof rack having one or more crossbars. The device generally includes at least one hook component including a curved portion configured to be hooked under a crossbar of a vehicle roof rack. The device also includes a clamping apparatus operable for creating a clamping force to secure the device and the article to the crossbar. | 05-15-2014 |