Patents Examined by Derek J. Berger
  • Patent number: 6286800
    Abstract: An elongate note holder for paper and the like which is mounted to the topside or lateral side of a CRT computer monitor 21 which serves as a retainer to vertically display notes and the like so that the user may easily insert the notes into the holder and make ready reference to the information contained on the note and then easily remove the note after the use is completed. The note holder is an elongate structure with a socket 10 with generally the cross-sectional shape of the letter U encasing two adjacent tubular resilient members 12 and thus forming three grooves for holding notes along the length of socket 10. The multiple groove design multiplies the number of notes that may be individually organized and manipulated without having to bunch unrelated notes together after the length of the first groove is filled with notes. Socket 10 is comprised of two parallel lateral walls 10A connected by base wall 10B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventors: Tristan P. Junius, Khathrinah Russ Bliss
  • Patent number: 6202975
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in mounting a tubular structure on a vehicle fender includes a base member with at least one groove formed therein for receiving a tubular structure. A retaining member is preferably provided for clamping to the base member to releasably lock a tubular structure therebetween. Attachment members may be pressed into holes formed in a vehicle fender for receiving threaded fasteners therein to hold the apparatus in place and assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: William P. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6138976
    Abstract: A fishing pole holder includes a first pole clip (10), a second pole clip (44) and two straps (36, 58). The first pole clip (10) carries the receiving portion of a snap (32). The second pole clip (44) is D-shaped and carries two female snap members (54, 55). The first strap (36) carries a snap portion (42) for attachment to the first pole clip (10) and the second strap (58) carries two snap portions (64, 65) for attachment to the second pole clip (44). The first strap (36) is wrapped about a fisherman's forearm or wrist and the second strap (58) about the person's leg or ankle. The butt, handle end (70) of a fishing pole (72) may be placed in the second pole clip (44) and, fairly near the pole tip, the pole (72) is pushed into the first pole clip (10). Thus, both hands can be used for tasks other than holding the pole (72), e.g., changing lures or baiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen A. Fahringer, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6131873
    Abstract: An energy absorbing high impact cable device having a ring damper with first and second ends for attachment to at least one mesh net panel. The damper further includes a retainer for retaining the first and second ends, and to maintain a circular damper according to a predetermined stiffness for impact restraint. The ring damper further includes a cover, which is hermetically sealed around the cable to prevent degradation. A cable-to-loop fastener mechanically secures the cable device to at least one mesh net panel to form a linked arrangement. This particular arrangement translates absorbed energy within a plane of the panels to prevent structural deformation within the device due to rolling rock energies beyond a predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Fred R. Blazon, Robert Bookwater
  • Patent number: 6126122
    Abstract: A double ratchet arm pipe clamp includes a pair of elongated ratchet arms extending outward from a base member with each ratchet arm including a plurality of ratchet teeth. A keeper block is adapted to receive the ratchet arms through a pair of apertures and a respective pawl member is positioned within each aperture to releasably engage the ratchet arm. Both the base member and the keeper block have respective V shaped notches which are positioned in opposition to cradle a clamped pipe or cable and a pair of slits are formed in the keeper block to give added clamping action. An alternative embodiment of double ratchet arm pipe clamp is clamping a pipe to a universal slider bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Ismert
  • Patent number: 6109586
    Abstract: A rearview mirror support bracket for mounting a reflective element in a rearview mirror assembly housing in which the rearview mirror assembly housing is mounted to a vehicle by a vehicle mounting bracket includes a support bracket having a reinforced polyolefin body, and most preferably a glass filled polypropylene body, with a mounting surface for supporting one of electrical actuator and an adapter member and having an arm for connection to the vehicle mounting bracket. The support arm includes a collar for rotatably mounting the rearview mirror support bracket on a post or pivot of the vehicle mounting bracket and includes a plurality of detents for engaging in spaced recesses of the base of the vehicle mounting bracket for releasably coupling the rearview mirror support bracket to the vehicle mounting bracket. Preferably, the detents comprise a dissimilar material from the support bracket, for example a plastic or metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Steven G. Hoek
  • Patent number: 6105913
    Abstract: The adjustable support assembly is for supporting a component of a piece of furniture, such as a backrest or armrest of a sofa. The component is fixed to the upper end of a shaft. The lower end of the shaft is insertable into an elongated hollow member, fixed to the frame of the sofa with a mounting bracket connected to the hollow member and screwed to the frame. A locking device releasably holds the shaft in any one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the hollow member when the shaft is substantially engaged in the hollow member. The orientation of the component may therefor be easily adjusted and locked when a person sitting on the sofa so desires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shermag Inc.
    Inventor: Normand Couture
  • Patent number: 6102358
    Abstract: Two opposing, interactive, and flexible force fields, formed by a flexible, suspension belt, exist within a sphere on opposite sides of it's equatorial plane and are engaged with a cylindrical musical drum by stretching parts of said belt away from the inner wall of an annular frame, to which it is attached, attachment points occurring in the before mentioned equatorial plane, and further into their respective semi-spheres existing on both sides of said plane. A cylindrical musical drum is placed inside the annular frame in such a way that the curved cylindrical shell of the drum exists in both semi-spheres simultaneously and is in parallel relation with the curved wall of the annular frame. The attached belt is stretched and engages a drum circumferentially at a plurality of points on the outer body of the drum near lugs which are attached to it's cylindrical shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph Butler McLeary
  • Patent number: 6098948
    Abstract: A motor having radial fastening lugs received damping elements which are adapted to be lodged in matching cavities defined within a housing, with each of the said cavities having open radial and axial faces for enabling the said motor to be introduced or removed axially. The device also includes a retaining member, the shape of which is matched to that of the housing, and which includes at least one engagement surface for supporting each damping element in the region of the open axial face of the cavity in which it is lodged, and removable fastening means between the housing and the retaining member, for axially immobilizing each fastening lug within a cavity. The damping elements include on their outer faces a plurality of grooves which enable the retaining member to be trapped axially by the fastening means and, at the same time, elastic decoupling to be obtained in all directions between the motor and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventor: Bernard Boucheret
  • Patent number: 6098952
    Abstract: The laptop computer support is for use in supporting a laptop computer on a top of a desk adjacent an edge of the desk. The laptop computer support supports the laptop computer such that a front end of the laptop computer extends past the edge of the desk to a position just above the lap of an individual sitting at the desk. The laptop computer support has a plate member for engaging a bottom surface of the computer supporting the computer. A flange is fixed at the front end of the plate member and extends laterally across at least a portion of the plate member projecting outwards from the top surface of the plate member. The flange engages the front end of the laptop computer and prevents the computer from sliding forwards and off of the laptop computer support. A leg is connected to the plate member and supports the plate member on the desk top at one of a plurality of angles to the top of the desk, and at least one foot member engages the top of the desk adjacent the edge of the desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Robb Tonn
  • Patent number: 6095465
    Abstract: A picture hanger is initially held in place on a wall in a temporary manner without damaging the wall by including a backing with a shock absorbing layer overlaid by a temporary adhesive film. Prior to the picture hanger being temporarily fastened to the wall, the temporary adhesive film is covered by a protective paper sheet. The shock absorbing layer prevents the wall from being indented when the hanger is permanently secured to the wall by hammering a pin or nail through the layer and film. The layer is sufficiently soft to hold the nail in place when the nail impales the layer prior to hammering the nail into the wall. Prior to the backing being secured to the hanger, the permanent adhesive film is overlaid by another removable protective sheet. Initially the backings are located on an elongated strip and are punched from the strip for mounting on the hook body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventors: David Weck, Steven C. Berenson
  • Patent number: 6089519
    Abstract: A liquid control and storage system for use with different sizes of beverage containers, the system including an upwardly open generally cup shaped coaster which is automatically but releasably coupled to the lower portion of a container as it is inserted into the coaster and which provides for the receipt and storage of any condensate or other liquid draining from the sides and bottom of the container, with provision to prevent the back flow of stored liquid upon subsequent tilting of the container and coupled coaster. In a preferred embodiment, the storage facility consists of a cup like member which is carried by but detachable from the coaster and, after being emptied of any liquid therein, is attachable to the closure rim at the top end of the container to protect any contents therein from loss and contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Sidney C. Laybourne
  • Patent number: 6086021
    Abstract: An anti-rotational fastener for securing an electrical connector or other wire harness component to a surface having two holes formed therein. The fastener has a base which is attached to the connector, a first mounting stem fixed to the base, and a second mounting stem that can be locked to the base at any of several mounting positions to adjust the distance between the mounting stems. The fastener may thus be used with differently-spaced sets of mounting holes. The fastener is preferably formed with an integral flexible strap connecting the second mounting stem to the base so that the fastener may be molded as a single piece. The strap bends as necessary to allow the second mounting stem to be secured to the base in any one of the mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome Adam David Duhr, Jeromy William Tomlin
  • Patent number: 6082689
    Abstract: Roof staging bracket apparatus that adjustably straddles the ridge of a roof. The bracket comprises a first member and a second member, means for rotatably joining the second member to the bracket, a gusset brace that has positioning means to which the second member attaches in order to allow the second member to attach to the gusset brace at different positions thereon and enable varying the degree of rotation of the second member about the rotatably joining means, and means for securing the second member at a particular degree of rotation to the gusset brace. The first member comprises the gusset brace and at least one of members is adapted for attachment of staging base apparatus thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Stephen W. Bushway
    Inventor: Stephen Bushway
  • Patent number: 6082687
    Abstract: A flag and label holder assembly for holding signs or labels for displaying prices and other information on merchandise display racks and shelves. The flag and label holder includes a base, a support member and a holder for selectively accommodating a sign. The support member can be pivotable in relation to the base via a hinge. The support member further includes a rib extending from the support member and positioned between a pair of L-shaped walls. The rib engages the holder. The base further includes a hook and, spaced therefrom, a finger which are both secured to the bottom surface of the base. The hook and finger engage a wall surface adjacent a respective hole in a display rack or shelf. The holder further includes at least one fin extending inwardly from an inside surface of each wall of the holder. The fins are overlapping to secure a sign within the holder. In an alternative embodiment, the holder includes a clip and a rib which hold the sign or label in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kump, Stephen D. Wamsley, Paul A. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6076791
    Abstract: A device for placing information/advertising on a shopping trolley comprises a support element with a display surface, and brackets which grip around the shopping trolley handle. The brackets are shaped like supports with ergonomically-shaped handles, and they protrude down and out from the underside or side edges of the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Cart AS
    Inventors: Jan C. Rand, Harald Thorkildsen
  • Patent number: 6073891
    Abstract: A pipe mounting clamp comprises a generally C-shaped piece of plastic or other resilient material which is sufficiently flexible to allow a pipe to be snapped into a central pipe receiving cavity thereof while firmly retaining the same. The C-shaped member has a pair or orthogonal bores for receiving nails, screws or other fasteners which attach the C-shaped member to a stud or joist. The bores are positioned to permit the C-shaped member to be attached to a stud or joist in the appropriate orientation best suited for receiving and retaining the pipe. The bores may be formed of a plurality of offset slots that open onto opposite sides of the C-shaped member to allow the clamp to be injection molded without mold parts that move. The central pipe receiving cavity may be formed with a plurality of radially inwardly directed pipe engaging ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: IPS Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Humber
  • Patent number: 6073902
    Abstract: A T-shaped cushion pod for supporting a camera includes a cushion for supporting the camera. The pod has a fluid material contained within the cushion, and a tongue portion and a base portion of said cushion together forming a substantially "T"-shaped configuration. The pod has a zipper for allowing easy access to the fluid material contained within the cushion, for maintaining the level of fluid material within the cushion at an optimum level significantly below the maximum capacity of the cushion. In this way, the T-shape will act to retard migration of fluid material between the tongue and the base portions of the cushion, thereby causing the pod to hold its shape and provide sustained aiming for a camera resting thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew F. Hiles
  • Patent number: 6070841
    Abstract: A universal mounting bracket for use on slotted steel shelf standards or slotted steel uprights without the necessity of using tools or additional sub-assembly being required. The universal sidekick mount bracket is of generally triangular shape having one flattened hook end for engaging a slot in the shelf standard or steel upright. The bracket is then rotated toward the standard or upright while, at the same time, applying pressure to a fulcrum or pressure plate which is attached near the lower end of one of the legs of the triangle. Once the bracket is fully rotated a sliding clip disposed about the same leg of the triangle to which the pressure plate is attached engages a slot in the standard or upright thus securing the sidekick mount bracket to the slotted shelf standard or upright. The bracket can now support a hanging display stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Advertising Display Company
    Inventor: John W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6070837
    Abstract: A clip for supporting, fixing or stabilizing air hoses, water hoses, electrical cords, safety ropes, cables, etc., on an unshingled pitched roof. The clip is U-shaped and made from a strip or ribbon of material. The clip has a pair of spaced reentrant arms extending from the base. A pair of aligned spaced apertures is provided in the clip to permit a nail to pass therethrough and be partially hammered into the roof in order to secure the clip thereto; the pair of apertures is offset from the center of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: William R. Bond