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. 11,085,154 entitled “Adjustable wear sole” issued August 10, 2021. Invented by Markus Reindorf of Cologne, Germany and Willi Preis of Bad Honnef, Germany. Abstract: A mold apparatus for a slipform paver includes front and rear frame members and a wear plate disposed below the front and rear frame members. At least one of the frame members includes a mounting flange. At least one adjustable fastener assembly is provided between the wear plate and the mounting flange. An adjusting nut drive may be either manually powered or automatically powered and provides access to the adjustable fastener assemblies from the interior of the mold apparatus.

U.S. Patent No. 11,089,664 entitled “LED driver with programmable internal NTC temperature foldback” issued August 10, 2021. Invented by Scott Price of Madison, Alabama and Kevin Boyce of Madison, Alabama. Abstract: An LED driver includes a temperature sensing circuit integrated within its housing. The sensing circuit generates signals corresponding to actual temperature values within the driver housing to a controller. The controller receives programmable temperature derating parameters at least partially related to a light fixture receiving the driver housing, converts the temperature sensor signal into the actual temperature value, and derates the output current in linear fashion according to a transfer function when the actual temperature value falls within the temperature derating parameters. The parameters may include starting and ending temperatures, and an ending current parameter. The temperature sensing circuit may include a voltage divider with a negative thermal coefficient (NTC) device, preferably as the high side resistor. The temperature sensing circuit may typically provide a non-linear output across the temperature range, wherein the controller converts the non-linear output from the sensing circuit into a linear output for the transfer function.

U.S. Patent No. D927,567 entitled “Milling tool” issued August 10, 2021 to Betek GmbH & Co. KG of Aichhalden, Germany. Invented by Heiko Freiderichs of Aichhalden-Rotenberg, Germany. Claim: The ornamental design for a milling tool, as shown and described.

U.S. Patent No. D927,568 entitled “Milling tool” issued August 10, 2021 to Betek GmbH & Co. KG of Aichhalden, Germany. Invented by Heiko Freiderichs of Aichhalden-Rotenberg, Germany. Claim: The ornamental design for a milling tool, as shown and described.

U.S. Patent No. D927,569 entitled “Milling tool” issued August 10, 2021 to Betek GmbH & Co. KG of Aichhalden, Germany. Invented by Heiko Freiderichs of Aichhalden-Rotenberg, Germany. Claim: The ornamental design for a washer for a milling tool, as shown and described.