The first match was accidentally discovered in 1826 when John Walker scraped a stick with chemicals on the end against a stone floor.
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7883094 | Offset stacked sealing system The invention is a sealing system that employs a unique array of offset components, including multiple seal rings, to provide an improved seal with enhanced functionality. In the preferred embodiment, a groove contains two canted-coil springs that are located in a s... | 02/08/2011 |
| 7448934 | Motor yo-yo The invention is a yo-yo in which at least one of the yo-yo's sides includes a powered rotation system capable of maintaining the yo-yo's rotation when the yo-yo is sleeping at the end of its tether. The system functions by converting one of the yo-yo's sides into a... | 11/11/2008 |
| 6955008 | Aerating base plate for a flowerpot An aerating base plate designed for placement in the bottom of a conventional plant receptacle, such as a flowerpot. The plate has a sidewall that extends downwardly from the perimeter of a convex top. The top includes a number of perforations that function to enabl... | 10/18/2005 |
| 6905144 | Spring-loaded āLā-shaped seal ring A sealing system adapted for placement into an exterior groove of a structure. The sealing system includes a seal ring having a generally āLā-shaped cross-section. The sealing system further includes a canted-coil spring. The seal ring includes an inner surface,... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6887122 | Yo-yo having visual indication of response setting The invention is a yo-yo that features a visual indication system capable of facilitating the setting of the yo-yo's variable response system and then providing an indication to the user of the yo-yo's responsiveness setting. Preferably, the yo-yo includes relativel... | 05/03/2005 |
| 6880863 | Flexible coupling for gas conduits A flexible joint for connection between a pair of conduits for transferring a gas, under pressure, between the conduits. The joint includes a hollow, annular inner member for connection to one of the conduits which defines a spherically shaped, convex seal receiving... | 04/19/2005 |
| 6599165 | Yo-yo having an active starburst tether engagement system The invention is a yo-yo that employs an active starburst tether engagement system located in one or both of the yo-yo's side members. The system makes use of a starburst-shaped array of movable engagement ribs that face the tether and are located near th... | 07/29/2003 |
| 6585004 | Multi-stage flow control Disclosed is system for controlling a dynamic hydraulic component, such as a hydraulic actuator or motor. The system allows for either zero, restricted or full fluid flow to the hydraulic component. This enables either no movement, slow, precise movements... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6485181 | Thrust bearing assembly Disclosed is a self-lubricating thrust bearing having a number of axially-aligned parts. The bearing is preferably in cartridge form and includes an internal circular spring. The spring is located between two adjacent disks and functions to force the disk... | 11/26/2002 |
| 6481329 | System for remote control and operation A system for remotely controlling an undersea device. The system employs a gas-pressurized liquid reservoir that can be recharged from at least one replaceable gas bottle. A pressure-regulating valve is employed to control the pressure of the liquid leavi... | 11/19/2002 |
| 5871527 | Microwaveable mixture and heating pad A mixture designed to be heated by microwave energy and a container that can inwardly contain the mixture. The mixture is in a dry form and includes a quantity of salt that functions as a heat storage medium. The mixture further includes a quantity of sta... | 02/16/1999 |
| 5848612 | Servovalve employing a rotatable feedback linkage The invention is a mechanical-type position-sensing and feedback system employed between a main stage spool valve and a pilot stage spool valve of an electro-hydraulic servovalve. The feedback mechanism makes use of a rotatable feedback link that directly... | 12/15/1998 |
| 5813898 | Yo-yo having engagement pads proximate its axle A yo-yo having unique tether engagement areas adjacent the axle. The engagement areas include an array of grooves and/or rubber pads located in the tether-facing surface of each of the yo-yo's side pieces. The grooves and/or pads extend from a point proxi... | 09/29/1998 |
| 5813897 | Yo-yo having an improved tether engagement area A yo-yo having unique tether engagement areas adjacent the axle. The engagement areas include a starburst pattern of grooves located in the tether-facing surface of each of the yo-yo's side pieces. The grooves extend from a point proximate the axle to a p... | 09/29/1998 |
| 5573036 | Electro-hydraulic servovalve having mechanical feedback The invention is a multi-stage electro-hydraulic servovalve having a mechanical feedback between the valve's main and pilot stages. The feedback mechanism makes use of an interconnected set of linkages that transform a linear motion of the main stage slid... | 11/12/1996 |