They Invented What? (No. 149)

U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,411:  Toilet tank aquarium.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A toilet, comprising: a toilet bowl assembly;  a toilet tank assembly being coupled to said toilet bowl assembly;  said toilet tank assembly having a top, a front, a back, and a pair of sides, said front, back and sides of said toilet tank assembly defining an interior space, said top of said toilet tank assembly having an opening into said interior space of said toilet tank assembly;  a toilet water reservoir being located in said interior space;  a lid substantially covering said opening of said top of said toilet tank assembly;  said front of said toilet tank assembly being generally transparent; and  wherein said toilet water reservoir comprises a mid wall and a pair of side walls, said mid wall of said toilet water reservoir being spaced apart from said back of said toilet tank assembly, said side walls being extended between said mid wall of said toilet water reservoir and said back of said toilet tank assembly.

They Invented What? (No. 148)

U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,843:  Portable Electrical Mouse Trap.

JW Note:  This is a first for our TIW? series . . . a repeat!  This TIW? originally debuted as TIW? No. 6, back on June 28, 2006.  However, in view of the aweseome video below by Daniel Wright at Patently Silly, recently found at Youtube, we thought it most worthwhile to repost.  Enjoy!

What is claimed is:

1. A portable electrical mouse trap for capturing and killing a mouse, comprising: a housing in the shape of a cat having a head with a pair of eyes and a mouth defining an interior cavity, the mouth forming an entrance to the interior cavity; a primary motion sensor near the entrance to the interior cavity for selectively closing the mouth; a retractable primary gate in electrical communication with the primary motion sensor; a collection chamber within the interior cavity for holding a plurality of captured mice; a reservoir of a mouse-attracting fragrance that automatically dispenses within the interior cavity; a secondary motion sensor near an entrance to the collection chamber; a retractable secondary gate in electrical communication with the secondary motion sensor; and a vacuum source in communication with the collection chamber, wherein the primary motion sensor and secondary motion sensor detect the presence of a mouse inside the interior cavity and activate the vacuum source to draw the mouse into the collection chamber and close the secondary gate.

Commissioner for Patents John Doll to Retire; Robert L. Stoll Nominated as Successor.

Per this press release at the USPTO website yesterday:

USPTO Announces Senior Management Changes

Commissioner for Patents John Doll to Retire; Robert L. Stoll Nominated as Successor
Margaret Focarino Named Deputy Commissioner

WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce‘s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced significant changes among the senior management team of its Patent organization. After 35 years at the USPTO, Commissioner for Patents John Doll has announced his intention to retire from the agency on October 2. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos has, in turn, nominated longtime USPTO executive Robert (“Bob”) Stoll to the position of Commissioner for Patents, and has named Margaret (“Peggy”) Focarino Deputy Commissioner for Patents.