Recently Issued Patents

1.27.23

Patent Protection & Registration

Patents grant property rights on new and useful inventions, allowing the patent holder to prevent others from using, making, or selling that invention without permission for a limited time. U.S. patents are permitted by the U.S. Constitution and are designed to promote scientific progress and invention. By allowing inventors to profit from licensing or selling their patent rights, inventors can recoup their research and development costs and benefit financially from their inventing efforts. There are three main types of patents utility, plant, and design. Utility and plant patents can last up to 20 years, while design patents can last up to 14 years. When a patent expires, the patented material enters the public domain, making it free to use by anyone without a license. U.S. patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

U.S. Patent No. 11,554,465 entitled “Locking Parallel Pliers” issued January 17, 2022 to Nigel Buchanan of Fife, United Kingdom. Also invented by Nigel Buchanan. Abstract: Pliers (1) comprising jaw (201, 301) portions incorporating gripping faces for the clamping of the desired workpiece (90), three pivotal handle (202) portions and a sprung toothed strut (60) positioned between the handles (202). A bow shaped resilient portion (408) or portions, incorporated within the third arm (200, 300, 400) portion, when the pliers are operated this resilient portion imparts a sprung pressure upon the clamped workpiece (90) by the gripping face (203, 303) of the jaws (201, 301). The third arm (200, 300, 400) and bend promoting portion are contiguous with each other. The jaws (201, 301) can further be usefully locked in the required clamping position upon the workpiece (90) by a toothed sprung strut (60) pivotally attached to the first and third arms (200) and conveniently being locked or unlocked according to the locking switch (500, 50) pivotal within the first arm (200, 300, 400).

U.S. Patent No. 11,555,291 entitled “Self-propelled Work Vehicle and Method Implementing Perception Inputs for Cooling Fan Control Operations” issued January 17, 2022 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by  Thomas L. Kennedy and Craig A. Conrad of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for controlling cooling fans in a self-propelled work vehicle having a main frame supported by wheels or tracks. The cooling fans direct ambient air in accordance with at least one inlet in the main frame, and selectively operate in first and second opposing directions. A perception system is supported by the main frame and configured to provide perception data (e.g., perception data) corresponding to a field of vision which includes the at least one inlet and at least a portion of an associated working area. A controller obtains the perception data and automatically determines characteristics relating to contamination of the cooling system based at least On the perception data. The controller further generates output signals to the cooling fans based on at least one of the determined contaminant characteristics, for example a debris location, type, density, and/or quantity as relating to contamination of the cooling system.

U.S. Patent No. D975,866 entitled Transparent Applicator Head for Percussive Massage Device” issued January 17, 2022 to Hyper Ice, Inc. if Irvine, California. Invented by Robert Marton of Yorba Linda, California; Anthony Katz of Laguna Niguel, California and Eli A. Guerron