Recently Issued Patents

3.3.23

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 No. 11,590,385 entitled “Device for Adapting Exercise Weights for Use as Grip Plates” issued February 28, 2023 to Jesse Knapp of Franklin, Tennessee. Also invented by Jesse Knapp. Abstract: A grip apparatus for attachment to a weight plate is provided for enabling the weight plate to be used as a grip plate like those having integrally formed handles. The grip apparatus may include a grip handle, at least one adapter element, and at least one coupler. The grip handle may circumscribe at least a portion of the weight plate. The at least one adapter element may be coupled to the grip handle and may further be configured to adjustably extend therefrom. The at least one coupler may be coupled to each of the at least one adapter element proximate to a distal end thereof and may further be configured to selectively engage the weight plate. The at least one adapter element may comprise two adapter elements positioned so as to enable the at least one coupler to engage opposite sides of the weight plate.

U.S. Patent No. 11,596,040 entitled “LED Driver with Double Flyback Technology” issued February 28, 2023 to Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. of Madison, Alabama. Invented by Wei Xiong of Madison, Alabama. Abstract: A two-stage driver supplies current to a light emitting diode (LED) load. The two-stage driver includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage has a first flyback converter. The first stage is configured to receive a non-regulated voltage input and to generate a substantially constant bulk voltage across a first-stage output filter capacitor. The second stage has a second flyback converter. The second stage is configured to receive the bulk voltage from the first stage. The second stage is further configured to generate a desired current through the LED load. The second stage is electrically isolated from the first stage such that the LED load does not share a common ground reference with the non-regulated voltage input to the first stage.