Patents Issued the Week of June 19-23

6.23.23

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 15 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 11,679,298 entitled “Stretching Device” issued June 20, 2023 to John Hunt of Nashville, Tennessee. Also invented by John Hunt. Abstract: A stretching device comprising: an elongate rigid planar body extending from a first end to a second end, the body further including an upper surface and an opposing lower surface; a first handle located on the upper surface of the body towards the first end of the body; a second handle located on the upper surface of the body towards the second end of the body; a first support located on the lower surface of the body towards the first end of the body; and a second support located on the lower surface of the body towards the second end of the body. The body is spaced above a floor surface by the first support and the second support such that a user may grasp one of the sides of the body.

U.S. Patent 11,680,387 entitled “Work Vehicle Having Multi-purpose Camera for Selective Monitoring of an Area of Interest” issued June 20, 2023 to Deere & Company of Moline, Iowa. Invented by Brett S. Graham of Dubuque, Iowa; Giovanni A. Wuisan of Epworth, Iowa and Rachel Bruflodt of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A method is provided for visually representing areas of interest associated with and/or proximate a work vehicle which includes a first portion (e.g., frame) and a second portion (e.g., work implement) moveable relative thereto, wherein for example a first area of interest comprising terrain proximate a ground-engaging work tool is obscured from direct operator view. An imaging device is mounted on the work vehicle and has a field of view including the first area of interest at least while the tool is proximate a ground-engaging position. Selections may accordingly be made from among various areas of interest, wherein image display parameters associated with perimeter contours of the selected area of interest are substantially maintained throughout movement of the second portion. For example, display parameters corresponding to the first area of interest may be maintained while the tool and the imaging device move relative thereto.