Patents Examined by A. Joseph Wujciak
  • Patent number: 8191846
    Abstract: A magnetic support (10) for aquariums includes a first and a second support element (20a, 20b), each of them having a magnet (26a, 26b) so that by coupling the first and second support elements (20a, 20b) by interposing an aquarium wall (50) between them, the attracting magnetic force operating between the two magnets (26a, 26b) locks the two support elements (20a, 20b). Each support element (20a, 20b) comprises a flat element (40a, 40b) made up of flexible material having a peripheral projecting lip (46a, 46b), so that when the two support elements (20a, 20b) are coupled together by interposing the wall (50), the peripheral projecting lips (46a, 46b) are flattened against the wall (50), thus creating a suction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hydor SRL
    Inventor: Valerio Bresolin
  • Patent number: 8181919
    Abstract: The apparatus holds open the mouth of a plastic film bag, while holding it upright for filling. It is readily applied and removed after the filling has been done. It is easily cleaned. The holder has a convenient footprint for storage beneath the bag package when in a storage mode. The holder has arms that engage a surface of the bag proximate the bag opening and leg members that engage the other surface of the bag. The arms are removably attached to the leg members with the bag film sandwiched in between them by magnetic force. The combination of spaced-apart arms and spaced-apart leg members together hold the bag open and upright for filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Alvin S. Blum
  • Patent number: 8172194
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting equipment and a method for the manufacture of the apparatus are disclosed. A damping assembly configured to dampen movement of a first item relative to a second item may include an arm and a shock absorber. The arm may be configured to be located between the first item and the second item and may be configured to pivotally couple to the first item and configured to slidably couple to the second item. The shock absorber may be configured to couple between the first item and the arm, such that the shock absorber dampens rotation of the arm to dampen movement of the first item relative to the second item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Toppan Photomasks, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Cummins, Curt A. Jackson, James N. Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8172187
    Abstract: A stand (20) from which a planter (22) can be suspended includes a hollow center post (28) having one end (48) which opens downwardly when the post is arranged substantially vertically. A plurality of openings (66) are defined about the center post, and a plurality of leg members (72) are arranged about the center post. Each of the leg members includes a foot end (76) and two post-engaging portions (94 and 84) wherein a first (94) of the post-engaging portions is accepted by a corresponding one of the openings defined about the center post and a second (84) of the post-engaging portions is accepted by the downwardly-opening end of the center post. In addition, a retainer assembly (70) cooperates between the center post and the leg members for preventing the withdrawal of the first of the post-engaging portions from the openings defined about the center post and for preventing the withdrawal of the second of the post-engaging portions from the downwardly-opening end of the center post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Felknor Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Wilson A. Felknor, Jim Ferron
  • Patent number: 8161717
    Abstract: An erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object is disclosed. Methods of use of the erectable and/or collapsible floral easel are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 8162282
    Abstract: An electronic device, comprising: a back cover, a first support, and a second support; wherein, the back cover forms a receiving groove; the first support comprises a support portion and a connection portion rotationally connected to the back cover; the second support comprises a support portion, at least one hook portion, and a connection portion rotationally connected to the back cover; when in a folded position, the first support and the second support are received in the receiving groove of the back cover; and when in an unfolded position, the support portion of the first support is engaged with the at least one hook portion of the second support; the second support cooperates with an edge of the electronic device to form a stable structure to support the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Biao Hu, Chia-Te Yu, Liang-Yi Lu, Chung-Yuan Chen, Lin-Lin Pan, Che-Yu Chou
  • Patent number: 8157124
    Abstract: A soap dish has a plurality of apertures for the passage of water. An imperforate tray is fabricated of a moisture impervious material for the retaining of water in the tray. A primary region supports the tray. A secondary region is laterally spaced from the primary region. A coupling assembly includes an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism has an internal end and an external end. The internal end is operatively coupled with respect to the primary region. The external end is operatively coupled with respect to the soap dish. The coupling assembly is adapted to allow the movement of the soap dish with respect to the tray between an inoperative orientation and an operative orientation and through an intermediate orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Sivathanu B. Kumar
  • Patent number: 8156610
    Abstract: A writing assist device includes a hand-receiving body having an exterior surface with a convex contour for ergonomically receiving the palm and/or fingers of the hand of a user from underneath and a base adapted to easily move by pushing or pulling on a writing surface to allow writing by the user. The body includes an inclined channel for receiving a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil, and a securing element to releasably secure the writing instrument at an inclined angle in the channel. The channel is disposed on the body such that the thumb and index finger of the user lie on opposite sides of the channel during writing in manner that generally resembles the natural gripping of a pen or pencil between the thumb and index finger of an able-bodied person to impart a more natural feeling of writing control. A removable, stretchable cover can be placed on the exterior surface of the body for the comfort of the user before the user places his/her hand on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Kara McKenzie, Craig Miller, Stacey Mosley, Jonathan Saathoff
  • Patent number: 8132768
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for supporting hang rods and shelves from support surfaces, such as the wall of a closet or cabinet. In an exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes a pair of end brackets and a plurality of different pairs of interchangeable pieces configured to be selectively coupled to the pair of end brackets. Each pair of interchangeable pieces when selectively coupled to the end brackets, respectively, is operable for supporting a different hang rod from the support surface when the end brackets are coupled to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Clairson, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio A. Fernandez, Robert P. Kundinger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8132769
    Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested, comprising a vertical support, at least one horizontal support, a first vertical articulation unit that is connected the horizontal support, a second articulation unit determining an oblique pivot axis, a displacement unit that is attached to the second articulation unit and has multiple degrees of freedom for displacement and balancing of an optics carrier carrying the surgical microscope, at least one pivot support encompassed by the displacement unit, and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to the oblique pivot axis. The pivot support comprises a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore)Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 8122691
    Abstract: An erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object is disclosed. Methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 8109479
    Abstract: A multi-vacuum mount type support device includes a multi-end connection bar, multiple supporting arms each having one end thereof horizontally pivotally connected to a respective end of the multi-end connection bar by a respective pivot lock, multiple vacuum mount assemblies vertically pivotally connected to the other ends of the supporting arms by respective pivot lock for securing to a flat surface by a vacuum suction force, and a mount connected to one front end of the multi-end connection to hold a holder member for holding an electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 8104723
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a mounting pedestal for a device, such as a laser scanner. The mount is generally comprised of a base, a triangle bracket and an attachment screw. The base has a base plate and a support attached to the top of the base plate. The support is hollow, preferably cylindrical in shape, has an access opening on the side and a central opening on top. A triangle bracket is bolted onto the top of the support, covering the central opening on the support. The triangle bracket houses a pivot bracket. The attachment screw fits through and is engaged by the pivot bracket on the triangle bracket. A device, such as a laser scanner, is supported by the triangle bracket and is fixed in place by the threads on the attachment screw. The attachment screw is accessed and can be tightened or loosened through the access opening on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: State of Florida, Department of Transportation
    Inventor: Kevin Parham
  • Patent number: 8104827
    Abstract: The present invention is a component for providing alignment between at least two external components. The present invention is a bracket member having at least two attachment structures, and at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures, and the at least two attachment structures provide adjustable positioning between the at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures such that the position off the at least two externally visible components can be adjusted relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crane, Tom Cobb, Thomas M. Pilette
  • Patent number: 8104727
    Abstract: An adjustable support for holding an article such as a notebook computer. The support has a base; an article holding platform; and a single, adjustable, articulated, link connected at one end to the base and at its other end to the platform. The link has two spaced-apart lockable pivots, the pivots dividing the link into a base link member connected to the base, an intermediate link member, and a platform link member connected to the platform. The pivots are of the type having a locking member movable toward the pivot to unlock the pivot. The pivots are normally locked to hold the platform is a desired working position for a user of the notebook. The support has an unlocking mechanism, operable by one hand, for unlocking the pivots simultaneously. While the pivots are unlocked, the platform can be manipulating by the one hand on the unlocking mechanism to adjust the platform to a new working position and then locked in the new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Denis Joanisse, Paul Rossetto
  • Patent number: 8100375
    Abstract: The marine dockline holder provides an easy place to leave the docklines in an elevated position when the boat leaves the dock, enabling the lines to be easily retrieved and attached to the boat upon its return to the dock. The marine dockline holder has a line hook attached to the top of a two-piece rod. The rod is inserted into a spring which is in turn inserted into a deck mounting plate. The deck mounting plate is mounted to a dock by two connecting bolts passing though the upper and lower mounting plates, and though gaps in the dock's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: David Charles Woodworth
  • Patent number: 8100374
    Abstract: An improved lightbulb ceiling fixture having a canister transversely affixed to a location of a canister frame, including two pairs of slidable bar hangers retained on respective opposite sides of the canister frame by retaining mechanisms located on each side of the frame. Each pair of slidable bar hangers includes an inner sliding bar hanger slidably inserted into an outer sliding bar hanger so that the overall length of the bar hanger can be readily adjusted and the length cut to a desired length without removing the hanger bar from the assembly. A bar hanger connecting member enables the exact overall length of the two bar hangers to be fixed at any desired lengthwise distance. Each assembly has a rotatable mounting bracket which supports an attaching, member, the rotatable mounting bracket on each respective assembly being oppositely disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Hamid Rashidi
  • Patent number: 8091848
    Abstract: A hands free specimen holder apparatus includes a cup holder. An arm is connected with the cup holder at a first end and the arm extends the cup holder from the first end and away from and below a second end. The second end of the arm is conformed to connect with a toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Rachel Gail Reed
  • Patent number: 8091841
    Abstract: A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Jones, Kurt Heidmann, Todd Andres
  • Patent number: 8091324
    Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder