Patents Examined by Emily M Morgan
  • Patent number: 11975568
    Abstract: A self-leveling caster assembly includes a caster frame and a castor fork which is configured to pivot relative to the caster frame. A spring or other biasing mechanism biases the caster fork away from the caster frame, to maintain contact between the ground and a wheel supported by the caster fork along a travel range of the wheel. Even if a frame supporting the self-leveling caster assembly is bent, pulling the wheel away from the ground, the biased caster fork will maintain contact between the ground and the wheel, allowing continued use of a shopping cart or other wheeled apparatus including the self-leveling caster assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. McKay
  • Patent number: 11970895
    Abstract: A hinge bracket assembly includes an appliance wrapper defining a first receiving space extending in a first direction, a second receiving space extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third receiving space extending in a third direction oriented at an acute angle relative to the first direction. An anchor plate is engaged with the appliance wrapper and includes a retention member received by the first receiving space, a first flange received by the second receiving space, and a second flange received by the third receiving space. A hinge plate is coupled with the anchor plate and includes a protrusion received by a slot defined by the retention member. The appliance wrapper is positioned between the anchor and hinge plates. A locking arm is selectively engaged with the anchor and hinge plates and is rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Pavnick, Ryan M. Post, Michael S. Richards, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 11969062
    Abstract: A jewelry chain having a plurality of links including a plurality of connecting links and one or a plurality of decorative links. Each decorative link comprises an outline of an alphanumeric character and becomes part of the chain by connection from at least two connecting links. The connecting links can easily pass through open sections of the alphanumeric character outline to allow rotation and sliding movement in at least two different directions so that the alphanumeric character can provide different appearances when the jewelry chain is worn. The chain can form or be incorporated in necklaces, bracelets or earrings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: K Kane, LLC
    Inventor: Katherine Kane
  • Patent number: 11963588
    Abstract: Provided are devices that can comprise a rotatable image wheel. The rotatable image wheel can comprise a plurality of image panels arranged radially around a central axis and radially offset relative to the central axis. The rotatable image wheel can also be rotatable about the central axis. The device can further comprise a face plate disposed coaxially with the rotatable image wheel and arranged to cover a portion of the rotatable image wheel. The face plate can describe an aperture radially offset with respect to the central axis. The device also comprises an actuator mechanically coupled to the rotatable image wheel and configured for causing rotation of the rotatable image wheel about the central axis relative to the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew Owensby
  • Patent number: 11944169
    Abstract: An earring having an earring back to securely attach an accessory. The earring back is designed to securely retain the accessory within an enclosure by means of a shaft of a stud earring. The accessory may be a hooped accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Robyn Gandia
  • Patent number: 11944166
    Abstract: A jewelry kit is described that includes at least a first and a second polygonal shape. Each shape includes a planar portion having a first side disposed opposite a second side and one or more walls located on a periphery of the first side of the planar portion and extending away from the first side of the planar portion to form an interior portion. A new polygonal shape is formed from affixing, via an adhesive or a magnetic connection, the second shape inside of the first shape or the second shape to the first shape in some fashion. Objects may be received within an interior portion of the new shape. At least one adjustable bale is affixed to an exterior wall of the new shape. At least one adjustable and spring-loaded jump ring is affixed to the exterior wall or another exterior wall of the new shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Alison Lee
  • Patent number: 11946309
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for an appliance may include a cabinet having a front panel, a door hingedly coupled with the cabinet and configured to selectively contact the front panel, and a bumper coupled to one of the door and front panel. The bumper may include a cap having an annular outer surface defining an interior, at least one flange coupled to the outer surface, the at least one flange extending along at least a portion of the annular outer surface, a through-hole in communication with the interior, and a fastener having an elastomeric cover. The fastener may be disposed within the interior and the through-hole when the bumper is in a mounted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rohan Gajananrao Gore, David Gregory Quante
  • Patent number: 11939801
    Abstract: A hinge bracket assembly includes an anchor plate. A retention member extends perpendicular to the anchor plate. The anchor plate defines a first receiving aperture. A hinge plate is aligned with the anchor plate and includes a hinge arm and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from an edge of the hinge plate opposite the hinge arm. The hinge plate defines a second receiving aperture aligned with the first receiving aperture when the protrusion is received by a space defined by the retention member. A locking arm is rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position and is configured to be at least partially received by the first and second receiving apertures to couple the anchor plate and the hinge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Pavnick, Ryan M. Post, Michael S. Richards, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 11939802
    Abstract: The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include first and second portions that rotate around a hinge shaft that is fixedly secured to the first portion and rotationally secured to the second portion. The second portion defining a first contact surface spaced apart from a second contact surface. Multiple friction clips friction fit around the hinge shaft and rotating with the hinge shaft between the first contact surface and the second contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Gordon Oldani
  • Patent number: 11933095
    Abstract: A clip assembly is provided for a storage system, and includes a receiver clip and a floor clip. The receiver clip includes a base section and a support section, the support section having a main surface and a pair of arm extensions extending from opposing edges of the main surface to define a receiving region. The arm extensions each define a guiding ramp and a securing cavity. The floor clip includes a lower section and an upper section, the lower section comprising knobs extending from sidewalls thereof. The securing cavities of the receiver clip are configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the knobs of the floor clip so that the floor clip is hingedly connected to the receiver clip by the knobs, and the floor clip may pivot relative to the receiver clip between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Lee
  • Patent number: 11913271
    Abstract: A pivot hinge includes a spring housing with a central tube, a spring assembly, an upper mounting plate, and a lower mounting plate. The bottom end includes a knurled outer surface. A stop cam is positioned about the knurled outer surface and has an inner surface that conform to the knurled outer surface so that it may be positioned in a plurality of rotatable positions relative to the central tube. The stop cam also has an exterior surface which includes a detent. The different rotational positions of the stop cam upon the knurled outer surface changes the relative position of the detent in relationship to the central tube. A cam follower assembly is coupled to the lower mounting plate and has a cam follower plate with a cam follower that rides upon the stop cam and engages the detent recess to hold the door in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kason Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Mitchell, Andrew Bassett
  • Patent number: 11905749
    Abstract: A hinge for the rotatable movement of a door or a similar closing element anchored to a wall or a similar stationary support includes a fixed element adapted to be coupled to the wall or a similar stationary support and a movable element adapted to be coupled to the door or a similar closing element. The fixed and movable elements are coupled to mutually rotate around a first longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventors: Luca Benedetti, Mihai Mesaros
  • Patent number: 11885165
    Abstract: A furniture board includes an integrated or inserted hinge for guiding a movable furniture part. The furniture board has two side faces, an end face, and an end-face recess for receiving a hinge. The hinge includes a basic element, a linear guide and a pivot guide hinged thereto. The linear guide has forcibly guided movable elements, to which the pivot guide is hinged at a distance from the basic element. Two side faces of the furniture board lie one in a first and one in a second plane. The linear guide and the hinged connection of the pivot guide to the linear guide lie between the first and the second plane, at least in a closed state of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hettich-ONI GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mark Schneider, Felix Sander
  • Patent number: 11882909
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a jewelry pendant that is used by suspending it to a decorative piece such as a thread or chain to which the pendant is mounted. The pendant is modular in nature and thus different configuration may be formed by interconnecting various pieces or components of the pendant with each other. The components are connected in such a way that each component can rotate around the hinged connection. Various configurations of pendant include at least one of, but is not limited to, a straight configuration, a circular configuration, a triangular configuration, a square configuration, a double circle configuration, a double rectangle configuration, or a cubical configuration. The pendant may be used as a necklace piece, an earring, a key ring, or a bracelet. In some other applications, the pendant may be used as a decorative piece on a bag, purse, or belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Adam Joseph
  • Patent number: 11866977
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and devices for controlling the closing of a door. A head unit is to be installed in a doorjamb, comprising a chamber filled at least in part with a shear thickening fluid. A piston is connected to a cap and configured to exert pressure against the shear thickening fluid in response to a force applied to the cap. The systems and devices provide an adjustable design that resists door slamming and aggressive closure, serving as a safety device as well as noise, damage and pet control around doors (preventing closure if desired). An install kit provides exact location, depth control and guide to place over the head unit to tap it into place with a hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MOSHUN, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy John Boundy
  • Patent number: 11866976
    Abstract: A gate hinge pin and strap assembly for attachment to a wooden post for supporting a gate including a J-bolt or threaded L-bolt with a metal strap affixed to the bolt between the threads and cylindrical neck portion. A bendable metal strap extends on each side of the J-bolt or threaded L-bolt. The L-shaped rod is threaded into the post until the metal strap contacts the post. Then each bolt of the metal bracket is bent around the post and screws or lag bolts are threaded through the holes and into the post to help secure the hinge to the post and to provide added support for the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Bobby G. Davis
  • Patent number: 11866971
    Abstract: A hinge, wherein, inter alia, intrusion of foreign matter in a contacting portion of a slide member and a cam member and resulting adhesion of an oil provided in the cam member to the foreign matter is reliability prevented from the closed state to the open state of a second wing member. The hinge is provided with an oil fence disposed on the outside close to the contacting portion of the cam member and slide member, the oil fence preventing, from the closed slate to the open state of the second wing member, foreign matter front intruding into the contacting portion of the slide member and cant member from the outside of the slide member and cant member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SIMOTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11857039
    Abstract: An earring aligner system includes an earring aligner, which has a front arm and a back arm, as well as a hinge that rotationally connects a first end of the front arm to the back arm. A second front segment of the front arm includes an earring support with a post receiver void that is sized to detachably hold a post of an earring therein. A second back segment of the back arm includes at least three prongs that are spaced to support an earring back therebetween. The hinge is operable to change a hinge angle from a larger angle between the front arm and back arm during earring mounting on the earring aligner to a smaller angle during alignment of the earring post with the earring back after the earring post is inserted through a hole in an earlobe of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Zia Elam, Jazmin Hernandez, Megan Lieberson, Jadzia Bennett, Keira Dempsey, Gabriella Janss
  • Patent number: 11839273
    Abstract: An ornamental device includes: diamonds disposed on a single support element in a specific physical arrangement, all the diamonds in the specific physical arrangement having a blue fluorescent equal to or stronger than strong blue, wherein all the diamonds in the specific physical arrangement shining clear under a visible light, and shining blue under ultraviolet radiation keeping the specific physical arrangement distinguished from a group of diamonds in the specific physical arrangement, the group of diamonds comprising a mixture of a diamond or diamonds having a blue fluorescence equal to or stronger than strong blue and a diamonds or diamonds not having a blue fluorescent equal to or stronger than strong blue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Yoshiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11832691
    Abstract: Modular frames configured to couple with one another without external fasteners are provided. Some contemplated frames include magnetic fasteners positioned within an edge covering portion, and are configured to removably couple with at least one of another frame and a frame holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ark Crystal, LLC
    Inventors: Nassim Haramein, Scott Brown, Kevin Kendrick