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. 11,963,684 entitled “Microstructured Hemostat” issued April 23, 2024 to BVW Holding AG of Cham, China. Invented by Michael Milbocker of Holliston Massachusetts and Lukas Bluecher of Eurasberg, Germany. Abstract: A microstructured hemostat comprising multiple layers of microstructure, each layer characterized by one or more length scales, is described. Microstructured hemostats of the present invention, can reduce the time for blood coagulation, control the morphology of the coagulation, and provide a novel diagnostic platform for evaluation of coagulation function from a morphological perspective.

U.S. Patent No. 11,963,595 entitled “Multipurpose Bag Table Apparatus” issued April 23, 2024 to Caleb Crye of Brooklyn, New York. Also invented by Caleb Crye. Abstract: A combination bag workbench is provided herein. The combination bag workbench may include a rectangular bottom portion, a pair of wheels, and four legs rotatably coupled to the bottom portion. The bottom portion may include a length, a width, a pair of lengthwise sides defined parallel to the length, and a pair of widthwise sides defined parallel to the width. The pairs of lengthwise and widthwise sides define corners of the bottom portion. The pair of wheels may be coupled to the bottom portion along one widthwise side of the pair widthwise sides. Each leg may be coupled adjacent to a respective corner of the bottom portion. The four legs are configurable in a retracted position or an extended position associated with at least one of the legs extending beyond at least one of a nearest respective lengthwise side or a nearest respective widthwise side.

U.S. Patent No. 11,966,220 entitled “Method and User Interface for Selectively Assisted Automation of Loading Operation Stages for Work Vehicles” issued April 23, 2024 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Michael G. Kean of Maquoketa, Iowa and Giovanni A. Wuisan of Epworth, Iowa. Abstract: A system and method of selective input confirmation for automated loading by a work vehicle comprising a main frame and a work attachment movable with respect to the main frame for loading/unloading material in a loading area external to the work vehicle during a loading process having loading stages. Location inputs are detected for the loading area respective to the main frame and/or work attachment. First user inputs correspond to selected automation for respective loading stages, for which detection routines are executed with respect to parameters of the loading area based on the detected location inputs. If second user inputs are determined to be required with respect to certain parameters of the loading area, the second user inputs are received and movement of the main frame and/or work attachment are controlled for automating the corresponding loading stages based at least in part thereon.

U.S. Patent No. 11,965,308 entitled “System and Method of Truck Loading Assistance for Work Machines” issued April 23, 2024 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Jon C. Gilbeck of Bettendorf, Iowa; Jonathan Spendlove of Bettendorf, Iowa and Zimin Vilar of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A system and method are provided for evenly distributing the loading of material in a loading container of a transport vehicle (e.g., articulated dump truck) by a work machine (e.g., excavator). At least one sensor mounted on the work machine generates data corresponding to at least a portion of the loading container. The captured data is processed to determine a current profile of material loaded in the loading container, wherein output signals are generated corresponding to a difference between the current profile and a predetermined target profile for the material loaded in the loading container. In certain embodiments, the output signals are used to assist an operator of the work machine with manual loading via an onboard display unit and superposed images associated with the current and/or target profiles. In other embodiments, the output signals automatically control at least part of the loading process.

U.S. Patent No. 11,965,859 entitled “System and Method for Empirical Estimation of Life Remaining in Industrial Equipment” issued April 23, 2024 to Discovery Sound Technology, LLC of Nashville, Tennessee. Invented by John Jenkins of Nashville, Tennessee; Michael Pedersen also of Nashville, Tennessee and Jon Harper of Fort Mill, South Carolina. Abstract: System and methods are provided for empirical analysis of remaining life in electromechanical devices. Sensors are positioned to generate signals representing sound energy emitted by devices, and digital sound data are stored corresponding thereto. The system classifies sound characteristics and their corresponding impact on wear rate over time via recurring analysis of the stored sound data. For a selected device, a wear state is estimated based on a comparison of current sound energy emitted therefrom with respect to sound data for a comparable group of electromechanical devices, and it may be ascertained whether certain classified sound characteristics are present in digital sound data corresponding to the selected electromechanical device. Output signals are selectively generated based on the estimated wear state and/or classified sound characteristics ascertained to be present, e.g. providing indicators of said sound characteristics in association with the digital sound data, and/or providing notification of detected intervention events.