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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in North Carolina (April 23)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in North Carolina. *** North Carolina Inventor Develops Patent for Manual Rotary Sweeper ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Brian Rose, Sanford, N.C., has developed a patent (8,156,596) for a manual rotary sweeper. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A manually propelled, wheeled rotary brush having a handle and two wheels. The brush may have a generally cylindrical configuration which contacts the environmental surface on which the wheels ride, and may rotate about a horizontal axis disposed perpendicularly to the direction of travel as the wheels turn. The brush may be geared to the wheels, and may rotate faster than the wheels. The wheeled rotary brush may have a frame in which the gears are journaled. The handle may be propped in an elevated position by stabilizing legs disposed to engage the environmental surface at a point spaced apart from the brush. The brush may have replaceable brush elements which may be inserted into slots formed in a cylindrical core of the brush." The patent application was filed on June 10, 2009 (12/481,809). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,156,596&OS=8,156,596&RS=8,156,596 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** North Carolina Inventor Develops Patent for Apparatus for Lifting and Moving a Person ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Boyd Carned Fogleman, Whitsett, N.C., has developed a patent (8,156,581) for an "apparatus for lifting and moving a person." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for lifting and moving a person comprises a mobile base assembly and a lift assembly moveably mounted on the base assembly permitting the lift assembly to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the base assembly. The lift assembly includes a frame member moveably engaging the base assembly. A first support arm of a butterfly seat is rotatably attached to the frame member for rotation about an upwardly extending axis. A second support arm of the butterfly seat is rotatably attached to the frame member laterally spaced from the first support arm for rotation about an upwardly extending axis. The first and second support arms include weight bearing platforms adjacent the free distal ends of the support arms. The first and second support arms are movable between a first position where the weight bearing platforms are close enough for supporting a person and a second position where the first support arm and the second support arm are spaced sufficiently from each other to receive a person between the weight bearing platforms. A powered lift is provided for moving the lift assembly upwardly and downwardly relative to the base assembly." The patent application was filed on March 15, 2011 (13/048,531). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,156,581&OS=8,156,581&RS=8,156,581 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Yale Security Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Yale Security, Monroe, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,156,671) developed by five co-inventors for a photoluminescent exit device. The co-inventors are John Presley, Monroe, N.C., Mike Ott, Matthews, N.C., Blue Houser, Edgemoor, S.C., Tony Kirby, Knoxville, Tenn., and Tom Harris, Charlotte, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A photoluminescent member is provided for an exit device. The photoluminescent member comprises a housing member for mounting to the exterior surface of the exit device. The housing member includes a photoluminescent portion for being energized by exposure to an ambient light source and operable to automatically emit visible light photoluminescently for a substantial period of time in low ambient light or dark conditions and without being energized by an electrical current so that the photoluminescent portion provides illumination to identify the exit device in the low ambient light or dark conditions for providing a visual cue directing a person to a location of the exit device." The patent application was filed on Oct. 29, 2004 (10/904,231). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,156,671&OS=8,156,671&RS=8,156,671 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, Winston-Salem, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,156,768) developed by David H. Green, Winston-Salem, N.C., Howard Van Saunders, Troy, N.C., and Thurmond Rufus Vaughn, Mount Airy, N.C., for a "system and method of forming a toe seam." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An article of hosiery having a toe seam has been developed. The hosiery includes a foot portion and a first circumferential toe portion having a first stitch length. A second circumferential toe portion can be adjacent the first toe portion. The second circumferential toe portion has at least two knitted courses with each of the at least two knitted courses having a second stitch length that is less than the first stitch length. There is at least one thread in the first circumferential toe portion that forms the toe seam." The patent application was filed on July 20, 2009 (12/505,732). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,156,768&OS=8,156,768&RS=8,156,768 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Nucon Steel Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Nucon Steel, Denton, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,156,706) developed by Donald R. Moody, Denton, Texas, Courtney J. Hanson, Denton, Texas, and Hamilton Lott, Charlotte, N.C., for a metal truss. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A metal truss comprises elongated top chord members connected to each other at their ends. A first elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members adjacent the free ends of the top chord members. A second elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members, or directly to the first bottom chord member via spacers, such that the second bottom chord member is spaced below the first bottom chord member. At least one web member is positioned between and interconnecting at least one top chord member and the first bottom chord member. One end of the web member is connected to the at least one top chord member and the other end of the web member is connected to the first bottom chord member." The patent application was filed on March 18, 2009 (12/406,703). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,156,706&OS=8,156,706&RS=8,156,706 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** North Carolina Inventors Develop Patent for Convertible Wheelchair ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Valerie N. Cleveland, Rocky Mount, N.C., and Gerlene C. Borum, Rocky Mount, N.C., have developed a patent (8,157,287) for a convertible wheelchair. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The convertible wheelchair includes a seat and a plurality of chair legs extending downward from the seat. Each leg includes a wheel to permit movement of the convertible wheelchair. A reclining backrest is pivotally mounted to the back of the wheelchair, which provides a flat, horizontal surface for a user to rest thereon. Both the seat and the backrest include a pair of panels selectively extendable towards the lateral side in order to form a bed. In this configuration, a caregiver can easily maneuver the user into any position required for ablutions and lavatory functions. Each panel and the handlebars on the backrest may include extendable legs to stabilize the bed." The patent application was filed on Oct. 4, 2011 (13/252,907). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,287&OS=8,157,287&RS=8,157,287 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** University of North Carolina Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,156,829) developed by Hugh D.C. Smyth, Albuquerque, N.M., Anthony J. Hickey, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Sorin M. Mitran, Chapel Hill, N.C., for "methods of acoustic measurement and control of pharmaceutical sprays." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods of modulating a characteristic of a pharmaceutical compound spray by acoustic measurement and control of the pharmaceutical spray are disclosed. The methods include analyzing a selected characteristic of a pharmaceutical compound spray utilizing acoustic measurement to develop corresponding acoustic data. The methods further include controlling the selected characteristic by applying acoustic excitation to the pharmaceutical compound spray in accordance with the acoustic data developed." The patent application was filed on Oct. 26, 2005 (11/666,366). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,156,829&OS=8,156,829&RS=8,156,829 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** McKenzie Sports Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- McKenzie Sports Products, Salisbury, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,157,234) developed by Leon Thomas Powell, Awendaw, S.C., and Roger Aaron Martin, Albemarle, N.C., for a "habitat mount for wall mounted taxidermy mannequin." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A habitat mount for a wall mounted taxidermy mannequin includes a habitat piece having a three dimensional first side with the appearance of one or more natural elements and an opposing generally planar second side. A tab extends outwardly from and generally parallel to a plane defined by the second side of the habitat piece. The tab is sized and shaped to mount directly to a rear side of the wall mounted taxidermy mannequin." The patent application was filed on Sept. 23, 2009 (12/565,272). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,234&OS=8,157,234&RS=8,157,234 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Volvo Group North America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Volvo Group North America, Greensboro, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,157,313) developed by Kevin Nutt, Summerfield, N.C., and Sandro Ramos, High Point, N.C., for a "storage unit with electronic device mounting structure." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An overhead storage unit including a single unit that spans across substantially the entire lateral width of the vehicle adjacent the top of the front windshield. In some preferred embodiments, the overhead storage unit includes a removable electronic device (such as, e.g., a CB radio support). In some preferred embodiments, the storage unit also includes a novel removable switch plate and a unique CB microphone mount." The patent application was filed on Dec. 22, 2009 (12/644,057). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,313&OS=8,157,313&RS=8,157,313 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Endura Products Assigned Patent for Multi-point Entryway Locking System and Astragal ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Endura Products, Colfax, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,157,298) developed by Michael K. Mitchell, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Andrew Krochmal, Grand Haven, Mich., for a "multi-point entryway locking system and astragal." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A multipoint locking system includes a body having an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein. An upper latch pawl is disposed in the upper aperture and is pivotable about a first vertical axis between a first retracted position and a first extended position. A lower latch pawl is disposed in the lower aperture and is pivotable about a second vertical axis between a second retracted position and a second extended position. At least one actuator is configured to move the upper and lower latch pawls between their retracted and extended positions. The body can be an astragal, a vertical frame member, or the like." The patent application was filed on Feb. 23, 2009 (12/390,976). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,298&OS=8,157,298&RS=8,157,298 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Peffer Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Patricia L. Peffer, Hendersonville, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,157,380) developed by Patricia L. Peffer, and George B. Waites, Arden, N.C., for a vertically mounted kaleidoscope. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A kaleidoscopic device is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, the kaleidoscopic device may have a housing mounted within a wall and a collection drum that has a plurality of display elements. The collection drum may be intermittently rotated and/or rotated at various speeds by a driving system that has a motor. A mirror structure may be mounted within the housing and used with the display elements in order to generate a decorative kaleidoscopic effect." The patent application was filed on March 20, 2008 (12/077,588). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,380&OS=8,157,380&RS=8,157,380 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Endura Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Endura Products, Colfax, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,157,299) developed by Michael K. Mitchell, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Andrew Krochmal, Grand Haven, Mich., for a "multi-point locking system and astragal." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A multipoint locking system includes a body having an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein. An upper latch pawl is disposed in the upper aperture and is pivotable about a first vertical axis between a first retracted position and a first extended position. A lower latch pawl is disposed in the lower aperture and is pivotable about a second vertical axis between a second retracted position and a second extended position. At least one actuator is configured to move the upper and lower latch pawls between their retracted and extended positions. The body can be an astragal, a vertical frame member, or the like." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2010 (12/895,432). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,299&OS=8,157,299&RS=8,157,299 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Lenovo Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Lenovo, Singapore, has been assigned a patent (8,161,237) developed by four co-inventors for an "asymmetric load balancing for RAID storage systems." The co-inventors are Jeffrey R. Hobbet, Holly Springs, N.C., Donald R. Frame, Apex, N.C., Daryl Cromer, Cary, N.C., and Michael S. Mettler, Durham, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The instant invention broadly contemplates balancing of asymmetric RAID arrays based on application usage patterns. The instantly claimed invention broadly contemplates balancing the type of workload and delivery of the work load in asymmetric RAID arrays by intelligently implementing different types of applications on disks strategically positioned to deliver workload to the RAID channel that is most capable of handling the work load. The invention makes use of the fact that some applications are more large block, sequential transfer dependant while other applications are more small block, high random, high IOP dependent, and places these applications accordingly within the asymmetric RAID array." The patent application was filed on March 27, 2009 (12/412,495). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,161,237.PN.&OS=PN/8,161,237&RS=PN/8,161,237 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** North Carolina Inventor Develops Patent for System and Method for Placing a Product Order via a Communications Network ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- William F. Harris, Charlotte, N.C., has developed a patent (8,160,937) for a "system and method for placing a product order via a communications network." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for a manufacturer to attract a customer for a distributor, via a public access network, and perform product information and ordering transactions with the customer, where payment is made to the manufacturer by credit card or from another financial account maintained by or on behalf of the customer and where the manufacturer subsequently pays the distributor and an associated manufacturer's representative. The system and method includes the customer submitting a price/quotation request or product order to a host system via the public access communications network. The host system interacts with the customer, the manufacturer, the distributor (who provides purchase order information) and a third party who provides financial approval in order to fulfill the customer request. The host system also interacts with the manufacturer, customer, distributor, manufacturer's representative and third party who provided financial approval to fulfill the order." The patent application was filed on Oct. 8, 2010 (12/901,255). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,160,937.PN.&OS=PN/8,160,937&RS=PN/8,160,937 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Qimonda Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Qimonda, Munchen, Germany, has been assigned a patent (8,161,219) developed by seven co-inventors for a "distributed command and address bus architecture for a memory module having portions of bus lines separately disposed." The co-inventors are Michael Bruennert, Munchen, Germany, Peter Gregorius, Munchen, Germany, Georg Braun, Holzkirchen, Germany, Andreas Gartner, Munchen, Germany, Hermann Ruckerbauer, Moos, Germany, George William Alexander, Durham, N.C., and Johannes Stecker, Munchen, Germany. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Distributed command and address bus architecture for memory modules and circuit boards is described. In one embodiment, a memory module includes a plurality of connector pins disposed on an edge of a circuit board, the plurality of connector pins comprising first pins coupled to a plurality of data bus lines, second pins coupled to a plurality of command and address bus lines, wherein the second pins are disposed in a first and a second region, wherein a portion of the first pins is disposed between the first and the second regions." The patent application was filed on Dec. 4, 2008 (12/328,690). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,161,219.PN.&OS=PN/8,161,219&RS=PN/8,161,219 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Hand Held Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Hand Held Products, Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,157,168) developed by five co-inventors for a "data collection device and network having radio signal responsive operation." The co-inventors are James T. Sauerwein Jr., Charlotte, N.C., William H. Havens, Syracuse, N.Y., Sven M.A. Powilleit, Charlotte, N.C., Brian Roman Dobeck, Monroe, N.C., and Adam Edward Meggitt, Charlotte, N.C. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A data collection device can include at least one of a bar code reader unit, an RFID reader unit, and a card reader unit. A data collection device can be operative to receive and process radio signals. A data collection device can be configured so that operation of the data collection device is responsive to radio signals." The patent application was filed on May 6, 2010 (12/775,154). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,168&OS=8,157,168&RS=8,157,168 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Bank of America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- Bank of America, Charlotte, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,157,078) developed by Amy Baker Folk, Charlotte, N.C., and Daniel Christopher Bohen, Charlotte, N.C., for a "cash handling device having environmental condition monitoring system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes an environmental condition monitoring system including a plurality of sensors configured to monitor environmental conditions inside the housing of the cash recycler. In some arrangements, the temperature and/or humidity within the housing will be monitored. Upon sensing that the conditions are outside of a predetermined threshold, an indication will be sent to a controller that will adjust operation of the cash recycler based on the indications received from the sensors." The patent application was filed on Nov. 25, 2008 (12/277,865). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,157,078&OS=8,157,078&RS=8,157,078 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** ATI Properties Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 23 -- ATI Properties, Albany, Ore., has been assigned a patent (8,156,996) developed by Robin M. Forbes Jones, Charlotte, N.C., and Sterry A. Shaffer, Charlotte, N.C., for "casting apparatus and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold." The patent application was filed on May 16, 2011 (13/108,402). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8156996.PN.&OS=PN/8156996&RS=PN/8156996 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. 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