Patents Examined by Michael Calabrese
  • Patent number: 7794027
    Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a storage bin is positioned in a cabinet having a countertop. The lifting mechanism has a base adapted to be supported in the cabinet, a moveable member operably connected to the base, a support member connected to the moveable member, and a storage bin supported by the support member. The moveable member is moveable between a first position, wherein the storage bin is adapted to be positioned within the cabinet, and a second position wherein the storage bin is raised such that the storage bin is adapted to be positioned out of the cabinet. When the storage bin is raised, a top of the storage bin is adapted to be positioned proximate the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Melanie Calabria, Joseph Edward Jasinski, Kevin Owen Roughton, Sherry Eckholm, Brian Joseph Wismann, William Myles Riley, Bruce Seymour Ferris, Paul Gilbert Rockwell
  • Patent number: 7789473
    Abstract: A cabinet, having a cabinet-section assembly including a circuit of four, interconnected, square cabinet sections arranged around a central pole. The cabinet sections are suspended from a hub that is free to rotate atop the central pole. The suspension system biases the cabinet-section assembly toward either an open configuration, exposing open sides of the cabinet sections, or a closed configuration from intermediate configurations. A stabilizing bracket provides lateral support to the suspended cabinet-section assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: James M. Loewen
  • Patent number: 7784889
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with a rack and/or panel elements, wherein a mounting plate can be attached to an interior of the switchgear cabinet. A lower edge of the mounting plate has sliding elements, wherein one or several spacing elements are fastened on a rear panel element and/or on rear parts of the rack, by which the mounting plate is supported in the mounting position. The mounting plate can provide fastening receivers in the area of the lower edge and the upper edge which, in the installation position of the mounting plate, cooperate with fastening elements of the lower and upper contact elements and fix the mounting plate rigidly in place. With sliding elements supported on the bottom or the cover plate and fastening elements at the spacing elements and fastening receivers on the mounting plate, an installation without sliding rails is possible, wherein the switchgear cabinet can be installed facing the attachment area with the bottom plate or the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Benner, Matthias Müller, Oskar Elm
  • Patent number: 7766434
    Abstract: A dually foldable host unit case for a computer includes a first plate member, an upper cover member, a lower cover, a front wall and a rear wall. The first plate member pivotally connects with the upper cover, the lower cover, the front wall and the rear wall respectively. The preceding parts are capable of being folded to allow the host unit case being reduced volume thereof while packaging and capable of being extended to allow the second lateral sides of the front and rear walls and the second lateral sides of the upper and lower covers are pivotally connected for setting up the host unit case conveniently and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Cheng, Te-An Lin, Wu-Nan Wang, Chia-Chia Huang
  • Patent number: 7758133
    Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a chassis (10), a side panel (20), and a fastening apparatus. The chassis has an opening (11), and comprises a rear panel (12) in which a hole (123) is defined. The side panel is configured for covering the opening of the chassis. The fastening apparatus secures the side panel to the chassis. The fastening apparatus includes a resilient piece (30). One end of the resilient piece is mounted to inside of the side panel. Another end of the resilient piece defines at least a hook (341) engaging in the hole of the rear panel for clasping the rear panel. The fastening apparatus further includes a latch (40) for urging the hook of the resilient piece to disengage from the hole of the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Li Tong, Quan-Guang Du
  • Patent number: 7753459
    Abstract: A closure assembly configured to urge a drawer of a refrigerator from an open position that permits access to an interior of the drawer toward a closed position that impedes access to the interior of the drawer. The closure assembly includes a cam block configured to be disposed on one of the drawer and a portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam block includes a cam surface. A cam member is configured to be disposed on the other one of the drawer and the portion of the refrigerator other than the drawer. The cam member includes a contact surface configured to contact the cam surface to urge the drawer from the open position toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Mark Anthony Rinaudo, Justin P. Todd, Steven Paul, Brandon Wayne Coats
  • Patent number: 7735942
    Abstract: A foldable host unit case of a computer with sliding rail grooves includes a front wall, which provides a first lateral end to pivotally connect with the first frame with a pivotal shaft and a second lateral end to be pivotally joined to the sliding rail groove of the second frame with a sliding block, and a rear wall, which provides a first lateral end being pivotally joined to the sliding rail groove of the second frame with a sliding block and a second lateral end pivotally connecting with the second frame with a pivotal shaft. Hence, the first frame, the second frame, the front wall and the rear wall are capable of being unfolded to set up the host unit case completely and folded to form the packaged size quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Cheng, Te-An Lin, Wu-Nan Wang, Chia-Chia Huang
  • Patent number: 7731316
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a universal shelf assembly that can be mounted in either a stationary configuration or a sliding configuration. The shelf assembly includes a shelf unit having a base portion surrounded by a peripheral frame. The peripheral frame includes front, rear and opposing side frame members that include a mounting boss and a locating tab. When mounted in the stationary configuration, the shelf unit is mounted directly to a support unit through the mounting boss and locating tab. Conversely, when mounted in the sliding configuration, the shelf unit is mounted indirectly to a support unit. Arranged between the support unit and the shelf unit are glide members. The glide members include structure that cooperates with the mounting boss and locating tab that both secure the shelf unit and enable the shelf unit to shift relative to the support unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Forrest F. Wing
  • Patent number: 7621605
    Abstract: A cabinet having opposing side walls and an open, or openable, frontal area, provides a pair of arms pivotally engaged with each of the side walls. The arms are rotatable between a downwardly and rearwardly directed position and a forwardly directed position extensive of the frontal area for exposing a shelf or basket. Each of the pair of arms is engaged with slots in a guide plate fixed at one side of the shelf or basket, whereby the basket is driven linearly, by the arms, between a retracted position inside the cabinet to a frontal position, while the arms traverse the slots, and then the arms lift the basket in an arc to an extended and raised convenient height. Such movement is facilitated by a motor driven linear actuator or by pulleys rotated by drive cords or belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Easy Lift LLC
    Inventors: Steve Bond, Andrew Tiffin