Oh, patents! Levi's® Curve ID measuring tool (2)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The US design patent USD648235S1, titled Shape measuring tool, was awarded on November 8th 2011 to Susan C. Smith-Habelow, and assigned to Levi Strauss & Co. This design patent covers the ornamental aspects of the Curve ID shape measuring tool, comprising two measuring tapes. In other words, this design patent claims protection for the way this version of the Curve ID, shape measuring, tool looks like.  In contrast, a utility patent reciting this Curve ID shape measuring tool, would claim protection for how the invention tool works. (USPTO)

The Figures 1 and 3, extracted from the set of 21 patent figure drawings, respectively depict a front view of the shape measuring tool, and a close up on a portion of the shape measuring tool, shown encircled in Figure 1. In particular, the Figure 1 depicts two measuring tapes, each attached to a belt, each using a rivet-secured loop, enabling the measuring tapes to slide into positions that facilitate girth measurements. 

The Figure 3 close up faintly shows the word “inch” in dotted lines, which is explicitly excluded from the claimed design, since elsewhere the invention measuring tapes are specified as using any measuring units, whether customary US American, or international metric. Likewise the pairs of closely spaced, jagged broken lines, appearing the Figure 1 belt, indicate an indeterminate length.

                       

Reference

Levi Strauss - https://www.levistrauss.com/

USPTO - MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent

https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

Oh, patents! Levi’s® Curve ID measuring tool (1)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Levi’s® Curve ID shape measuring tool was awarded several US design patents. US design patents cover the ornamental aspects of an invention. In other words, US design patents cover the way an invention looks, in contrast to the way an invention works, which is covered by US utility patents (MPEP 1502-01). The following US design patent, USD662429S1, titled Shape measuring tool, was awarded on June 26, 2012, to ten co-inventors(1), and assigned to Levi Strauss Company. 

The patent covers the ornamental aspects of the Curve ID shape measuring tool. Specifically, a shape measuring tool that comprises a fabric panel, attached with fasteners to the measuring tool belt. The fabric panel, added to the measuring tool, was designed to facilitate measuring a person’s girth at the inventive hip and seat marks. The panel keeps the ruled markings flat on the fabric panel, whether the markings are printed on the fabric panel, or consist of a measuring tape attached to the panel. 

The patent Figure 1, selected from ten patent figures, displays pairs of broken lines on the belt strap, indicating an indeterminate length. Broken lines elsewhere on the drawing (e.g.; for the buckle and for the fasteners, securing the panel to the belt) indicate items excluded from the claimed design. An image of the shape measuring tool, used for measuring Curve ID fit is also included.

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Note(1) List of the ten co-inventors: Meghan Donnelly Hetke, Eric Thompson, Bill Smith, Alexandra Levin, Judy Guo, Purin Phanichphant, Jesse Amos Silver, Peter Riering-Czekalla, Gina Lynn Romero, Candice Patricia Tillitt.

References
Levi Strauss & Co. https://www.levistrauss.com/

MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent   https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html 

Oh, patents ! Levi’s® Curve ID jeans for women

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann 

Launched Fall 2010, and now discontinued, Levi’s® Curve ID jeans nonetheless trail blazed the design of women's jeans, according to body shape, instead of size. The campaign for “shape not size” jeans, together with the production of Levi’s® Curve ID jeans, arose out of a combination of one-on-one interview research with women worldwide, and the study of more than 60,000 3D body scans. 

First, the results of the interview research uncovered the fact 54% of women try on at least ten pairs of jeans to find a pair that reasonably fits their body shape. Then, the results of the body-scan study initially identified three body shapes that represent 80% of women worldwide. The three initial body shapes identified were Slight Curve, Demi Curve and Bold Curve.(1)

From then on, in-store Curve ID measurement specialists were available to assist women in their purchase of perfectly fitting jeans that matched their particular body shape. The measuring tool used to determine which of the Curve ID fits matched a particular customer’s body shape, is a patented invention. The US utility patent reciting this invention, US8763262B2, titled Shape measuring tool, was awarded on July 1st 2014. 

The patent discloses a measuring tool designed to resolve the prior art issues of patent fit, informed by sizes measured in numbers, or waist and inseam length. Using prior art sizes, two people with the same size did not necessarily find jeans that fit in the same way. The fit was different, because two people with same jean size may have different proportions (i.e., their waistband, hips and seat measurements may be different, relative to  different height.) Thus, for one person a pair of jeans might fit at the waist, but not in the seat. Conversely, for another same-size person, the jeans might fit in the seat, but not in the waist, even creating what the patent recites as a “muffin top” silhouette. 

Below, the abstract of the invention is included, together with the patent Figures 2 and 7. The patent figures respectively depict a front view of the shape-measuring tool 201 with two measuring tapes 208 and 212 attached to a belt 204 (Fig. 2), and a front view of the shape-measuring tool, tied around a person’s waist with a string belt 704, measuring at least 30 inches to accommodate various waist sizes, and secured with a bow 708 (Fig. 7). In particular, the measuring tapes 208, 212 (Fig. 2), are respectively attached to the string 204 via wraparound fastener or suspension loops 216, 220, each respectively attached to the tapes with a rivet 222, 223. The fastener loops 216, 220, each slide on the belt 204, enabling the measuring tapes 216, 220 to be positioned anywhere on the belt. The length of the measuring tapes 216, 220 is sufficiently long to enable girth measuring of a person’s shape at the waist, hip and seat. The measuring tapes are at least 12 inches long, but their length is also specified above the ground, in view of preventing potential tangling, and/or tripping. 

Two girth measurements are taken, parallel to a person’s waist, using the ruled markings on the measuring tapes as guides. The ruled markings include both the customary American units (inches), and the International system of units (cm). The distances between girth measurements relative to a person’s waist enable measurement of a ratio between hip and seat, which together will determine the shape fit category of the jeans for a particular person. Thus, reading of the two girth measurements against markings of the two shape measuring tapes, introduced a new and revolutionary measurement of jean shape fit, according to the Slight, Demi or Bold shape categories, in addition to the existing categories of jean style, and size, for a particular person.  

The scope of the invention extends to variations of such items as: dimensions and materials of the belt, means for attaching the belt to a person’s waist (e.g., buckle or bow) and, design of the two shape-measuring tapes with ruled markings, which might include panels, and clips to further point to relevant jean fit reference points. 

A measuring tool is used to measure the shape of a person’s body. The tool has a belt and at least one measuring tape attached, which extends perpendicularly to the belt. The tool is held to the person's waist with the belt. While the person is standing, shape measurements are typically made at one or more points based on the measuring tape. This measuring tape extends a length sufficient to include the person’s seat and hip, where the shape will be measured, but will generally not be as long as the person’s leg or long enough to touch the ground. [Abstract US8763262B2]

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Note (1). Encompassing still more body shapes, a fourth Curve ID size, called Supreme Curve was launched Spring 2011, together with added rises and extended sizes. (Levi Strauss Press Release).  

References

Levi's® https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/ 

Levi Strauss Press Release https://www.levistrauss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Levis-Brand-Expands-Levis-Curve-ID-Womens-Denim-Line-to-Embrace-Curves-Around-the-World1.pdf

Oh, patents! The Levi Strauss rivet

Copyright  © Françoise Herrmann

Filed on August 9th 1872, granted on May 20th 1873, the US utility patent US139121A, titled Improvement in fastening pocket-openings, recites the small consolidating metal rivets, added to Levi's jeans, then called “waistoveralls”, which made the 19th century, San Francisco, company famous. The inventor was Jacob Davis. A tailor located in Reno, Nevada, the heart of the California gold country, Davis assigned the patent to himself and to the Levi Strauss Company of San Francisco, the Original Riveter.

The single patent drawing is included below, together with one of the famous Levi Strauss jeans labels, depicting two horses pulling in opposite directions, on each side of a pair of jeans, with the caption: "It’s no use they can’t be ripped."

According to the patent specification, the figure drawing indexes the side seam A of a pair of “pantaloons” which could also be “a pair of pants, drawers, or other article of wearing apparel”. The side seam terminates in pockets, with rivets b, b, added to each side of the pocket. Rivets b are shown on both front pockets, on a partial view of one back pocket, and at the bottom of the fly opening.

The patent discloses that the rivets b are intended to prevent ripping, or opening of the seams, resulting essentially from repetitive placing of hands inside pockets, thereby causing excessive stress on the fabric threads. The patent further specifies that the rivets b are made of metal, each rivet b passed through a hole in the seam, and capped on the opposite end, so as to further hold together the two parts of the seam, and thereby prevent tears. The patent explicitly avoids laying claim on fastening all seams with rivets, recognizing that rivets were already in use for consolidating seams on shoes.

References

Levi Strauss & Co
https://www.levistrauss.com/

Oh, patents! The Klein Vision AirCar folding propeller (2)

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Many aspects of the Klein Vision AirCAr are patented, beyond the essential reciprocal transformation of the hybrid vehicle, from road to air car, and back to road car. For example, the following US utility patent application US20190256193A1, titled Folding propeller, addresses the design of the propeller in a convertible vehicle with two configurations: a flight configuration and a road use configuration. In particular, the invention addresses the regulations that prohibit the presence of such sharp objects as propeller blades, on vehicles for use on public roads. Accordingly, the invention recites a propeller designed to provide thrust for the AirCar, when it is flying, and housing for the blades, when it is being driven on a road. Mounted on a hub, the propeller blades rotate radially in an extended position, when the vehicle is in flight configuration, and fold inside a blade housing, as part of the road configuration.

Below, the abstract of the Klein Vision folding propeller invention, together with the patent application Figures 3 and 4. The patent Figures 3 and 4 respectively show a partial rear view of the flying car with a propeller in a radially extended position; and a partial rear view of the flying car with the propeller in a folded position. Specifically, the Figure 3 depicts the radially extended propeller 28, with three blades 32, the hub 30, mounted in the rear part of the body section 14, connected to the engine via a propeller shaft, running along the upper part of the body. To make the vehicle safer on roads, the blades are foldable in housings 32, with housing covers 36, depicted in Figure 4. The housings 32, also in the rear part of the body section 14, are parallel to the propeller shaft, arranged 120 degrees apart, so as to correspond to the arrangement of the three blades 28. One of the housings 32 is arranged above the horizontal support surface 22’. The remaining two are arranged on each side of the vertical supporting structure 20’. The housing covers 36 are each hinged on one edge of their respective housings 32. The hub includes a user-operated locking mechanism, enabling to release the blades 28 from their radially extended position, back to a safer folded position, respectively within each housing 32. The housing covers 36 are then also closed, in order to cover the blades completely. 

The scope of the Klein Vision AIrCar folding propellor invention extends to varying propeller blade configurations. Configurations which might include a different number of blades, and which might be designed on different parts of the vehicle, in the front, or on the side of the vehicle body.

An aircraft, such as a flying car, comprising a body structure, lift structures (such as wings ), control structures (such as fins, elevators, and ailerons), and a motor; a propeller connected to the motor and mounted for rotation about a drive axis to provide thrust; the propeller comprising a hub having a plurality of blades connected thereto; and a plurality of blade housings adjacent the propeller, and extending substantially parallel to the drive axis; wherein the blades are mounted on the hub, so as to be moveable between an expanded position, in which the blades project radially from the hub, and a folded position, in which each blade extends axially from the hub, so as to lie in a respective blade housing. [Abstract US20190256193A1]

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Note  (1) Interestingly, the patent application recites some of the terminology associated with convertible vehicles, such as the Klein Vision AirCar. In particular, the patent recites the term “flying car” and “roadable aircraft”, selecting the former to designate the AirCar within the context of the patent application. 

References 
Certificate of Airworthiness – Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/aircraft/airworthiness/certificates-and-permits/certificates-of-airworthiness/certificates-of-airworthiness/

Certificate of Airworthiness – Federal Aviation Authority

https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) https://www.caa.co.uk/ 

Klein Vision AirCar https://www.klein-vision.com/ 

VDay 2022

 Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Each year, on February 14th, since 1996, VDay re-interprets Valentine’s Day, celebrating the foundation of a movement that seeks to end violence against all women and girls worldwide. Arising within the context of Eve Ensler’s famous play The Vagina Monologues, the VDay organization was initially funded on the occasion of a single evening performance of the play that raised $250,000. The Vagina Monologues tell the story of some of the 27,000 women that were raped as a war tactic, in connection to the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo, a former part of Yugoslavia, in Central Europe.

Over the course of 26 years, the Vday movement has branched into several projects and action groups, including :

• One Billion Rising - a group of one billion women, representing the shocking statistic of 1 in 3 women worldwide who have been victims of violence.

• The Solidarity Project -  funded by The Rising Fund, a project that seeks to identify artists and grassroots movements, transforming culture, creating art and social change, working on the front lines of activism.

• Voices - a new interdisciplinary performance arts project and campaign, grounded in Black women’s stories. According to the group, contributed submissions provide the poems you have been waiting for.

• City of Joy - a sanctuary for women, fleeing war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a Netflix documentary that tells the story of some of the 1472 women who have graduated from the City of Joy program. Women who found a place to heal, to release their trauma from rape, and to learn skills, enabling them to re-enter life as empowered individuals. The trailer of the documentary is included below.

• Call to Men - Dismantle patriarchy and the next generation of manhood – a VDay sponsored competition in high schools in the US, and colleges worldwide, calling for creative thinking on what a new post-patriarchal society might look like, how to achieve it,  and with what means. 

On the occasion of February 14th, all of the VDay organization groups and programs, mentioned above, organize and schedule special events worldwide, including such items as readings of The Vagina Monologues play, groups flash performing specially-choreographed VDay dances, and drumming events. (Click here for an interactive list of events worldwide.)  

According to the Vday organization, in 2022, “the ‘V’ in Vday stands inclusively for : Voice, Victory, Valentine and Vagina”. The VDay movement has also defined itself more clearly as: “an organized response to violence directed at all women and girls, and the planet; a vision, a demand, a spirit, a catalyst, a process, a day; and a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community”, with an invitation for everyone to participate.

References

Call to men - Dismantle Patriarchy 
https://www.acalltomen.org 
City of joy
https://www.vday.org/city-of-joy/about-city-of-joy/  
One Billion rising 
https://www.vday.org/one-billion-rising/what-is-one-billion-rising/ 

One Billion Rising - Find and event

https://www.onebillionrising.org/events/#!/0/0/1/

Ensler, E. (2008 campaigns) The Vagina Monologues (official script)

http://web.mit.edu/dvp/Public/TVMScript2008.pdf

Eve Ensler (website)

https://www.eveensler.org/

Solidarity Project

https://www.vday.org/solidarity-projects/rising-art-artists-rising/ 
VDay.org 
https://www.vday.org/
Voices
https://voices.vday.org/ 

Oh, patents! The Klein Vision AirCar (1)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Have you ever thought of flying past traffic? Well, this thought might no longer be an abstraction nurtured in the realm of science-fiction, cartoon animation or motion picture fantasy. The Klein Vision AirCar is here, and destined to be part of our futures.

In June 2021, the Slovak Klein Vision AirCar gracefully completed a thirty-five minute test flight, flying at an altitude of 8200 feet, at a cruising speed of 180 miles/hour, between the international airports of Nitra and Bratislava in Slovakia (BBC). As you can witness in the YouTube video below, the Klein Vision vehicle converted into an AirCar in a matter of minutes, used a runway for take-off. And, once landed on the destination runway, the Klein Vision AirCar reverted back to a four wheel land vehicle, small enough to fit inside a standard garage, and to continue cruising on a regular road for cars.

However, in order for the Klein Vision AirCar to be authorized on the market, it has to undergo at least 1 million hours of flight, with a passenger onboard and without an accident, for safety certification. Thus, even if all goes well, you won’t be flying over traffic quite so soon. Additionally, the Klein Vision AirCar also runs on fuel, which means that even if the Klein Vision AirCar uses no more than a small Cesna 172 plane, it might be running against the flow of solar power and climate change initiatives. Pressing initiatives (e.g., CERES), seeking to provide incentives for curbing the use of fossil fuel energy, for transportation, and in other sectors.

Several patent families are associated with the various aspects of the Klein Vision AirCar invention. For example the following 28 sample patents are members of a 52-patent family, all reciting the reciprocal transformation of the vehicle from automobile to aircraft, and from aircraft to automobile.

• SK6347Y1 (Slovakia) - Method of transformation of hybrid vehicles for land and air and hybrid vehicle.
• SK288242B6 (Slovakia) - Method of transformation of hybrid vehicles for land and air and hybrid vehicle.
• US9815345B2 (United States) - Transformation method of hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and hybrid transportation vehicle itself. 
• WO2013032409A1 (UN World Patent Organization) - Transformation method of hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and hybrid transportation vehicle itself. 
• EP2750905B1 (European Patent) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle. 
• KR101984332B1 (South Korea) - 지상 및 공중에서 사용하기 위한 하이브리드 수송용 운송 수단의 변형 방법 및 하이브리드 수송용 운송 수단
• JP6034382B2 (Japan) - 陸上および空中用のハイブリッド運搬用ビークルの変形方法およびハイブリッド運搬用ビークル
• ME02305B (Montenegro) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle. 
• EP2977239B1 (European Patent) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle. 
• SI2750905T1 (Slovenia) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle. 
• HUE026716T2 (Hungary) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle.
• ES2630202T3 (Spain) - Vehículo de transportación híbrido para tierra y aire, y método de transformación de tal vehículo
• CN103917388B (China) - 用于陆地和空中的混合式交通运输工具的转变方法以及该混合式交通运输工具
• UA111224C2 (Ukraine) - Method of transformation of a hybrid vehicle for earth and air and the hybrid vehicle use only.
• DK2750905T3 (Denmark) - Hybrid transport for earth and air and method for transforming such a transport.
• ES2555108T3 (Spain) - Vehículo de transportación híbrido para tierra y aire, y método de transformación de tal vehículo.
• AP2014007484A0 (ARIPO – African Intellectual Property Organization) - Transformation method of hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and hybrid transportation vehicle itself.
• PL2977239T3 (Poland) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle.
• PT2750905E (Portugal) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle.
• RS54387B1 (Serbia) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle.
• CN106379120B (China) - 用于混合式交通运输工具的转变方法以及该运输工具
• MX345302B (Mexico) - Método de transformación de un vehículo híbrido de transportación para tierra y aire, y vehículo híbrido de transporte
• IL231196A (Israel) - שיטת טרנספורמציה של רכב תחבורה היברידי לקרקע ואוויר ורכב התחבורה ההיברידי בעצמו
• ZA201401512B (South Africa) - Transformation method of hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and hybrid transportation vehicle itself.
• HK1217931A1 (Hong Kong) - 用於陸地和空中的混合式交通運輸工具以及該混合式交通運輸工具的轉變方法
• HRP20151285T1 (Croatia) - Hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air, and method of transforming such a vehicle.
• CY1117019T1 (Cyprus) - ΥΒΡΙΔΙΚΟ ΟΧΗΜΑ ΕΠΙΓΕΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΝΑΕΡΙΑΣ ΜΕΤΑΚΙΝΗΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΣ ΜΕΤΑΣΧΗΜΑΤΙΣΜΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΕΝ ΛΟΓΩ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΟΧΗΜΑΤΟΣ
• SMT201500304B (San Marino) - Terrestrial and air hybrid transport vehicle, and procedure for the transformation of such a vehicle.

References
CERES -  Transportation & Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) 
https://www.ceres.org/our-work/state-policy/northeast/TCI
Kleinman, Z. (June 30, 2021) Flying car completes test flight between airports
 https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57651843 

Year of the Tiger - Chinese New Year 2022

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Chinese New Year of the Water Tiger ! Huh?

Actually, year of the Tiger and of the Water element. Each Chinese New Year is assigned one of the 12 revolving animals of the Chinese Zodiac (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig), and one of five elements: Water, Earth, Fire, Wood or Metal. 

The myth on the origins of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac is interesting as it is said that the Jade Emperor of China (玉皇) invited 12 animals to participate in a race for a place in the 12-year moon cycle. Hence, each 12 years forms a cycle, that begins anew with the rat, who won the race. Most importantly as noted by Catia Li (2022), a substantial fortune-telling industry is based on the Chinese Zodiac, and all of its permutations with the elements.

Celebrated by more than 2 billion people worldwide, the Chinese New Year is a Lunar New Year, corresponding to the second new moon after the Winter Solstice. Thus, the Chinese New Year is the first moon appearing between January 21st and February 21st. In China, the Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival. A festival that begins one week before the new moon, and that lasts for 6 days following the new moon. Six days that change each year, although they form an official Chinese public holiday. Beyond China, the Chinese New Year is celebrated by Asian communities worldwide, including in Korea, Singapore, Mongolia, Tibet and Vietnam.

In 2022, the Winter Olympics XXIV will start during the Spring Festival, in Beijing, China, on February 4th. In 2022 also, several initiatives for the protection of endangered species—tigers in particular, are dovetailing with the Chinese Year of the Tiger. For example, the Prada Tiger Protection Initiative, is partnering with art classes in schools across China, for children's drawings on the significance of the tiger. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) TX2 – Double Tigers Initiative is also resetting its agenda, considering that in 2010, the WWF TX2 initiative set the goal of doubling the tiger population, estimated at 3200 tigers world wide, by 2022, the next Chinese Year of the Tiger. The effort to date is partially successful, since there are now approximately 3900 tigers worldwide, a figure that indicates a reversal of the extinction.

To celebrate the New Year in Chinese, just say:  新年快樂  (Gong hei fat choy )

References

Avery, D. (Feb. 1, 2022) Lunar New Year: The Year of the Tiger 2022 explained.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/lunar-new-year-the-year-of-the-tiger-2022-explained/

Li, C. Jan (27, 2022) Chinese New Year 2022: From tiger to rat, what do the zodiac animals mean?

https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/family/2022/01/28/chinese-new-year-2022-from-tiger-to-rat-what-do-the-zodiac-animals-mean/

Jenkinson, O. (Feb. 1, 2022) Year of the Tiger: What the Tiger Represents on Chinese New Year. Newsweek.com
https://www.newsweek.com/year-tiger-what-tiger-represents-chinese-new-year-1674648

Prada Celebrates the Lunar New Year With Tiger Protection Initiative.
https://hypebeast.com/2022/1/prada-lunar-new-year-tiger-protection-initiative

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) TX2 – Double Tiger.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/double-tigers

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – About TX2. 
https://tigers.panda.org/our_work/about_tx2/