They Invented What? (No. 159)
U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,792: Method and device for recognition of a collision with a pedestrian.
What is claimed is:
1. A method of detecting a pedestrian impact with a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing at least one first sensor on a bumper and at least one second sensor in an area of a front edge of an engine hood;
measuring one of a first pressure and a first deformation caused by the pedestrian impact;
forming a first criterion for deciding whether the pedestrian impact has occurred by comparing at least one first sensor output signal with at least one first reference quantity and by comparing at least one second sensor output signal with at least one second reference quantity;
determining at least one of a change in velocity of the vehicle and a change in acceleration of the vehicle caused by the pedestrian impact;
forming a second…
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They Invented What? (No. 14)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,654: Motor vehicle sunshields and sunshield making methods.
I claim:
1. A sun shield for automobiles comprising: a main rod, one end portion of which has a joint fixed thereon, the rod having three runners slidably sleeved thereon, said runners herein being referred to as first runner, second runner and third runner according to their position relative to the joint, between the joint and the second runner having locking means mounted on the rod for detachably locking the first runner; a plurality of main ribs radially extended from the axis of the main rod, each main rib being assembled from at least two sub-units which are slidably and stretchably telescoped on one another, one end of each main rib being hinged in said joint, the other end of the same herein being referred to as free end; a plurality of auxiliary ribs correspondingly mounted…
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Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) – IP Presentation – May 9, 2017
Had the pleasure of presenting on IP topics for a young group of entrepreneurs in Richland County this past week, at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!).
YEA! is a year-long program that teaches students in grades 6-12 how to start and run their own, REAL businesses. Students brainstorm business ideas, decide if they want to work by themselves or as a team, write a business plan, pitch their plan to investors for funding, and actually launch their own business or social movement. All of the learning is real and experiential. Students leave the class as business owners, complete with a DBA and bank account!
To find out more about this great program, see http://www.richlandareachamber.com/yea.
Recording of CAFC Oral Arguments for Richard A. Williamson v. Citrix Online, LLC (2017-03-06)
Via the 717 Madison Place blog, with full recording of the oral arguments found here. Interesting comments from Judge Moore at 5:00-5:30, and 15:10-15:20 of the recording.
Can it be reasonably argued that the “general purpose computer” under 101 jurisprudence is a myth? Doesn’t every computer become a specialized machine upon being programmed differently?
“The Band Who Must Not Be Named” – The Slants
Attorney AJ Wenn of Ward Law Office had the distinct pleasure of meeting The Slants yesterday evening, at an event hosted by the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association (CIPLA).
The Slants are an Asian American band involved in the recent Supreme court case of Lee v. Tam. In this case, Simon Tam sought to register a trademark on his band name “The Slants.” The USPTO refused after finding that the mark is disparaging toward individuals of Asian ancestry. The case may determine the constitutionality of Section 52(a) of the Lanham Act, which prevents the federal registration of “disparaging” trademarks.
Congratulations to CIPLA for hosting an exciting and informational event!
They Invented What? (No. 13)
U.S. Pat. No.6,637,447: Beerbrella.
We claim:
1. A combined beverage container and shading apparatus, comprising: a beverage container, for containing a beverage; a means for removably attaching the apparatus to the beverage container; a shaft, coupled to the means for removably attaching the apparatus, and extending vertically with respect to the beverage container; an umbrella, coupled to the shaft at a point above the means for removably attaching, so as to shade the beverage container, wherein the means for removably attaching comprises a clip provided to attach to the beverage container by means of spring action and friction.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella comprises a small umbrella approximately five to seven inches in diameter.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella comprises a small paper-like umbrella with balsa framing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the umbrella comprises a solid…
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They Invented What? (No. 12)
U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,693: Animal toy.
JW Note: Many thanks to Brad Bower at Duke University for tipping me off to this one.
Abstract:
An apparatus for use as a toy by an animal, for example a dog, to either fetch carry or chew includes a main section with at least one protrusion extending therefrom that resembles a branch in appearance. The toy is formed of any of a number of materials including rubber, plastic, or wood including wood composites and is solid. It is either rigid or flexible. A flavoring (scent) is added, if desired. The toy is adapted to float by including a material therein that is lighter than water or it is adapted to glow in the dark, as desired, by the addition of a fluorescent material that is either included in the material from which the toy is made or the flourescent material…
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Ward Law Office helps inventors obtain patents, trademarks
Meet registered patent attorney Jake Ward and his staff at Ward Law Office LLC. Jake works alongside his wife and Business Manager, Kristi; Office Manager, Jenn; and Associate Attorney, AJ, in their office on the second floor of the Laird Arcade building, in downtown Tiffin. The patent and trademark law firm opened their doors this January, although Jake has been practicing patent law for over 12 years.
Quite simply, “We help inventors. That’s our job,” Jake explains. They have opened over fifty new cases, with more than ten new clients, since January. The firm represents independent inventors and businesses locally, and across the United States. Local companies include Cooper Tire, Ballreich’s, Ralph’s Joy of Living, and Creative Plastic Concepts. The firm also helps many foreign companies, in countries such as the UK, Brazil, China, Israel, and Canada.
Usually, patent attorneys congregate in large cities, and you pay a premium. …
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