Anticipate This!™ | Patent and Trademark Law Blog

They Invented What? (No. 13)

Posted in General Commentary by Jake Ward on April 26, 2017

Anticipate This!™ | Patent and Trademark Law Blog

U.S. Pat. No.6,637,447:  Beerbrella.

 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)

Posted in General Commentary by Jake Ward on April 7, 2017

Anticipate This!™ | Patent and Trademark Law Blog

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. 

patentstick 

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

Posted in General Commentary by Jake Ward on April 4, 2017