Patents Examined by Erin Smith
  • Patent number: 8387932
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a suction cup, including: a suction cup body formed from gel and having at least one flat or convex face serving as a suction face; a shape retaining member provided on the suction cup body and having elasticity for restoring, when the suction cup body is deformed, the suction cup body so as to restore an original shape; and a center stem connected to the suction cup body and projecting from a portion of the suction cup body positioned remotely from a location of the suction cup body at which the suction face is provided in a direction intersecting with the center of the suction face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Takahashi, Makoto Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8016255
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable electronic device and magnetic fixation board therefor. The magnetic fixation board is disposed on a surface of a wall or a casing of an electrical product. The portable electronic device has at least one first magnetic element and the magnetic fixation board has at least one second magnetic element. The second and the first magnetic elements magnetically attract each other and the portable electronic device is attached to the magnetic fixation board. Based on the attraction interaction between the first magnetic element of the portable electronic device and the second magnetic element of the magnetic fixation board, when the portable electronic device is standing idle, users can directly locate the portable electronic device on the magnetic fixation board in the attraction mode and arrange the portable electronic device conveniently, thereby improving the impressions of using electrical products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Pi-Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7997544
    Abstract: A movable hand/wrist support for use with a computer mouse is comprised of a flat and constant thickness sheet of material with an aperture there through. Aperture can be configured to be used with a mouse of any size or shape. Aperture may be configured to entirely surround a mouse so that it rests loosely within the aperture or it may be sized merely to allow the optical communication device of a mouse affixed to a top surface of movable support to communicate with an underlying surface. An secondary layer on which a mouse can rest loosely or be affixed can be affixed to a bottom surface of the sheet of material. Movable support may also include a forearm protector. Various layers may be affixed onto the sheet of material to provide additional comfort and support to the user. The hand/wrist support may be provided as a kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Fong
  • Patent number: 7988109
    Abstract: A fixing mechanism assembled on brackets of a computer casing. The fixing mechanism includes a main portion; a connecting portion disposed on the main portion, the connecting portion movably connecting to the bracket; at least one restriction portion connecting with the connecting portion; and a switching portion connecting between the connecting portion and the restriction portion; whereby the restriction portion switches from a first position to a second position by the switching portion for supporting hard disk drives with different heights. The fixing mechanism also includes a plurality of tighten means at the other said bracket for fixing the hard disk drive. Therefore, it is convenient for users to accommodate the hard disk drivers with different heights within the computer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shwu-Fen Chen
  • Patent number: 7988111
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting various audio devices to a flat panel display employing mounting holes disposed on a rearward face of the panel of the flat panel display that are otherwise normally employed to couple a support of the flat panel display to the panel of the flat panel display, wherein a hub supporting rods that in turn support the audio devices is coupled to the rearward face of the panel with the aid of those holes, and wherein the hub and rods together convey electrical signals between at least one of the audio devices and at least one cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Burge
  • Patent number: 7984881
    Abstract: A support stand for a flat-panel display monitor includes a hinge assembly and a support structure having a top end partially receiving the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a first latching module. The first latching module includes an elastic member and a movable plate connected to the elastic member. The support structure includes a second latching module detachably connected to the first latching module. The second latching module includes a positioning plate having a latching portion extending from a bottom surface thereof. The latching portion is capable of latching with the movable plate. When the movable plate is pressed, the elastic member is deformed so that the second latching module is detached from the first latching module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi-Bin Liu, Yi-Qing Liu
  • Patent number: 7980518
    Abstract: A feeding structure for a sliding structural body includes: a protector base arranged in one of the sliding structural body and a stationary structural body; a link arm pivotally supported by a shaft portion of the protector base; a harness holder pivotally connected to an end portion of the link arm; and a wire harness which is laid from one end of the protector base to the harness holder so as to be bent in a substantial S-shape, and laid from the harness holder to the other of the sliding structural body and the stationary structural body so as to be moved therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Katou, Tohru Aoki, Tomoaki Nishimura, Motonari Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7971845
    Abstract: A security mount for displaying an article such as a handheld device is provided that includes a device mount that can be secured to a handheld device and a base mount that can be secured to a display structure. The device mount is releasably connected to a tether such that the device mount can be detached from the tether without detaching the device mount from the handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Compucage International Inc.
    Inventor: Steve N. Galant
  • Patent number: 7963496
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus wherein rotating an operating lever causes a lock lever to allow a sliding movement of an upper rail along a lower rail, the operating lever is held within a bracket connected to the upper rail via torsion spring. The torsion spring is made from a single piece of wire and formed into a specific shape for easy provision of the operating lever to the bracket during an assembly of the seat sliding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Ryousuke Mizuno, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7963490
    Abstract: A ridge clip is disclosed that is useful for attaching lights or other decorations to the ridge of a roof without compromising the seal on ridge shingles. The ridge clip includes a shingle hook that affixes to the overhanging portion of a shingle, and an extension arm that extends long enough to mount the decoration on the roof ridge. Ridge clips may be provided as an adapter for existing shingle tabs, or as stand-alone devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Aaron Pat Pritchard
  • Patent number: 7946550
    Abstract: A device for concealing a space between an object and a planar surface includes a first interlocking strip and a second interlocking strip engageable with the first interlocking strip. The first and second interlocking strips move relative to each other such that they span the space between the object and the planar-surface. The first and second interlocking strips are movable linearly, angularly, and vertically to achieve concealment of the space between the object and the planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas E. DeSena, Donald W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7926779
    Abstract: A new and unique L-shaped bracket for mounting a pump is provided, featuring a rear bracket member having a rear cavity portion for receiving and supporting one end of the pump; and a bracket support perpendicularly extending from the rear bracket member, having one or more retaining clips for frictionally engaging and coupling to the other end of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Keith Caldwell, Jimmie Lewis Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7926772
    Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a rotary coupling mechanism that securely attaches common household fixtures to a wall. The invention is comprised of a wall bracket, a base bracket, a cam pin, and two mounting screws. Flanges on the base bracket rotationally engage flanges on the wall bracket and the cam pin inserted through the base bracket rotates to hold the flanges and secure the base bracket to the wall bracket. An alternate embodiment of the invention is comprised of a wall bracket and a base bracket having flanges with canted surfaces. A locking pin holds the brackets together after the flanges are rotationally engaged. For each application of the coupling mechanism, a decorative body conceals the apparatus. The decorative body is rigidly connected or pivotally connected to a decorative cap. The decorative cap retains various household fixtures such as paper holders, towel racks, or shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hardware Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jeffrey Lowe, Kenny Lavelle Miller
  • Patent number: 7922131
    Abstract: A device according to the present invention includes a support bracket coupled, or adapted to be coupled, to a longitudinal support member, such as a microphone stand, and a receiver extending from the support bracket. The support bracket is generally formed in a coil. The receiver may be integrally formed with the support bracket, or may be removably coupled thereto. A plurality of interchangeable receivers may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Steven D Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7918432
    Abstract: This invention relates to a support or hanger utilizing a conical spring washer or set of conical spring washer displaying variable load characteristics. When installed, both types (support or hanger) allow for small movements in pipe, ductwork or equipment (PDE), thus, allowing for the thermal growth of PDE. Conventionally, helical coil spring supports are chosen to meet the load capacities of PDE but are reluctantly used because of their large size. By using conical spring washer s, the size of the support is substantially reduced making it a more useable device. A smaller, more compact design proves to increase the support/hanger's application making it more stable to place under piping and even under reciprocating motion equipment like generators and pumps. For small displacements, it is found that this invention behaves in the same manor as a conventional helical coil spring support under the same applied loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: James Octavius Taylor, III, Klaus Peter Redmann, Bharat Vallabhdas Makadia, Kirk Vincent Leonardi
  • Patent number: 7918428
    Abstract: A supporting apparatus of a display device is provided that includes a fixing unit, one or more sliding units, and a device connecting part. The fixing unit may be fixed to a mounting position. The sliding units may be rotatably connected to the fixing unit. The device connecting part may be rotatable relative to the sliding unit and may be coupled with the display device. The sliding unit may include a first sliding member rotatable relative to the fixing unit, and a second sliding member slidable relative to the first sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byung Hee Kim, Tae Gewn Kim, Kyung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 7914238
    Abstract: A load support includes an outer tube and a plunger at least partially slidably disposed within the outer tube. Gravity-set wedging members are disposed between an outer surface of the plunger and an inner surface of the outer tube for setting the plunger and outer tube in place with respect to each other, wherein the wedging members are substantially self-setting under gravity. The wedging members gouge the outer surface of the plunger and the inner surface of the outer tube upon inward axial movement of the plunger within the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony John Spencer Spearing, Joseph John Jingle
  • Patent number: 7900883
    Abstract: Units or hook assemblies arranged and configured to adequately capture and hold personal items which have some type of handle, rope, strap or the like. Preferred embodiments include a mounting plate for attachment to a restroom stall wall, door or the like. The mounting plate includes an upper end and a lower end. Preferred embodiments further include a first and second hook elements extending outwardly from the mounting plate. Preferred embodiments are arranged and configured to hinder theft or personal items stored on the hook from an over the stall door or wall attempt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas J. Portz
  • Patent number: 7896298
    Abstract: An intravenous support apparatus comprises a pole, means attachable to the pole for hanging an intravenous liquid supply on the pole, and a base including a plurality of disconnectable legs having respective inner ends joined one with another, the joined inner ends forming a central body of the base to define a central passage extending vertically through the base, the central passage receiving a bottom end of the pole for supporting the pole in a upright position, each leg including a first material containing a core element of a second material which is heavier than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: AMG Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Seth Meyers, Cristian Boar, Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 7888946
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with projection function including a host, a projection module, a signal line, a first adjusting leg and a second adjusting leg is provided. The host has a chamber at its side. The projection module is for outputting an image light beam. The projection module is connected to the host through the signal line. The first adjusting leg is pivoted to the projection module. The second adjusting leg is pivoted to the projection module, wherein the first adjusting leg and the second adjusting leg can be stored into the chamber with the projection module after pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Kuei Hsu, Ching-Fu Yang, Yan-Shan Wang