Patents Issued the Week of February 3-7

2.10.25

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. 12,217,727 entitled “Lockable Potentiometer Apparatus and Methods of Use Thereof” issued February 4, 2025 to Adam Samuel Mendel of Bend, Oregon. Also invented by Adam Samuel Mendel. Abstract: A volume lock apparatus for a guitar having a volume knob connected to a potentiometer shaft may include a toothed washer, an inner body, an outer body, and a set screw configuration to translate rotational movement from the outer body to the inner body and further configured to set an upper movement limit for the outer body. The Volume lock is an accessory that the user can easily install in place of the stock knob on a guitar’s volume or tone potentiometer. It allows the user to stop the rotation of the guitars potentiometer by pressing the knob downward which engages the hirth joint in the outer body with the hirth joint in the toothed washer.

U.S. Patent No. D1,060,581 entitled “Firearm” issued February 4, 2025 to Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Invented by Ronnie Barrett and Christopher Gene Barrett both also of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Claims:The ornamental design for a firearm as shown and described.