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 for 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).

Patterson Intellectual Property Law is pleased to announce the following recently issued patents obtained for our clients:

U.S. Patent No. D919,018 entitled “Trap Bar” issued May 11, 2021 to MoveStrong Functional Fitness Equipment, LLC of Charleston, South Carolina. Invented by Jared Kuka of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Claim: What is claimed is the ornamental design for a trap bar, as shown and described.

U.S. Patent No. D918,973 entitled “Milling Tool” issued May 11, 2021 to Betek GmbH & Co. KG of Aichhalden, Germany. Invented by Heiko Friederichs of Aichhalden, Germany. Claim: The ornamental design for milling tool, as shown and described.

U.S. Patent No. 11,000,794 entitled “Diagnostic Breather Device” issued May 11, 2021 to Des-Case Corporation of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Invented by Nikhil Rajkumar Gaikwad of Goodlettsville, Tennessee and Jonathan Lee Haworth of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Abstract: A breather including desiccant for humidity control includes an electronic end of life detection system. A temperature sensor and humidity sensor provide a temperature and humidity of the desiccant to a controller. The controller determines the relative humidity of the desiccant. The controller determines that the desiccant, and thus breather, has reached its end of life (i.e., end of useful life) when the relative humidity reaches a predetermined relative humidity (e.g., 40%). Optionally, a pressure sensor provides a pressure of the reservoir to the controller. The controller determines a fault condition or end of life condition of the breather when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.