Patents Examined by Sarah Purol
  • Patent number: 8167150
    Abstract: A drawer partition kit is described. The drawer partition kit comprises at least one partition board and a partition rack. The partition rack, applied in a drawer having a space, has a U-shaped space for storing things. The U-shape space has a size. The partition rack has slots under the U-shaped space for positioning the partition board and for reducing the size of the U-shaped space. The partition board has a first side plate for being positioned and has a vertical plate capable of being moved to change the space of the drawer. A plurality of such partition racks may be connected with each other. The materials of the partition rack may alternatively be metals or other materials having excellent weather-resistance and supporting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Hsueh-Kan Chu
  • Patent number: 8167149
    Abstract: A merchandise security system includes a merchandise display having a first display member and a second display member vertically spaced from the first display member. At least one tile is mounted to the first display member. The at least one tile is movable between a first position blocking access to a desired column of associated merchandise stored on one of the first and second display members to a second position allowing access to the desired column of the associated merchandise. A lock member is operatively connected to the at least one tile for restricting movement of the at least one tile from its first position. The lock member is movable from the locked position where at the lock member interferes with movement from the at least one tile from its first position to an unlocked position which enables the at least one tile to be moved from its first position to its second position for allowing access to the desired column of associated merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Wamsley, Robert Gray, Paul A. Mueller, Daniel J. Kump, Curtis Taylor, James J. Rataiczak, III
  • Patent number: 8167147
    Abstract: A dish drainer assembly has a basket with a bottom and a side wall extending up from a perimeter of the bottom. The side wall terminates at a top edge. A cut out is formed in a part of the side wall and has an upper edge that is lower than the top edge of the remainder of the side wall. A drying accessory has a plurality of fingers spaced apart from one another and is configured to removably attach to the basket in a first position and a second position different from the first. The fingers are oriented differently in each of the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Seth Frankel, Joy Burns, Sarah Rosenbach, Randall Lewis, James Talmage Davis, II, Colin Greenidge, Brad Cracchiola, Soren Ingomar Petersen
  • Patent number: 8152006
    Abstract: A merchandise security system includes a rail adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure, which can be a shelf or a wire rack display. The rail includes a first longitudinally extending channel. At least one tile is mounted to the rail. The at least one tile extends away from the rail so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The at least one tile includes a protrusion which is accommodated in the first rail channel to enable a sliding movement of the tile in relation to the rail. This construction allows selective access to any desired portion of at least one of the first and second associated merchandising structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Wamsley, Robert Gray, Paul A. Mueller, Daniel J. Kump, Curtis Taylor, James J Rataiczak, III
  • Patent number: 8152004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery. The invention also relates to banded packets of disposable cutlery that can be used in the cutlery dispenser of the present invention, as well as other cutlery dispensers that do not use a cartridge therein. The present invention also relates to disposable cutlery that has been adapted to make it better suited to stacking, such as for use in cutlery dispensers that do not include a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Smith, Andy L. Kirkpatrick, Michael R. Kilgore, David G. Honan, Thomas J. Sorensen, Vito Lore, Timothy D. Jadin
  • Patent number: 8146756
    Abstract: A bracket for connecting a slide assembly to a rack having any one of multiple hole standards. The bracket includes a first portion defining a first surface that contacts the rack and a second portion that defines a second surface that contacts the rack. The first portion and the second portion cooperate to capture a portion of the rack therebetween. The bracket further includes a first projection sized and shaped to engage a first rack hole standard and a second projection sized and shaped to engage a second rack hole standard. The bracket may also include additional projections configured to engage additional hole standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Jonathan Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Patty J. Brock, Ramiro Perez
  • Patent number: 8141724
    Abstract: A double sided bin holder assembly comprises four upstanding posts and at least one horizontal H-shaped frame including two spaced apart parallel side bars and at least one middle bar connected between the side bars. A collar is positioned at each end of the side bars for adjustable connection to the upstanding posts. At least one upwardly extending flange on the middle bar functions to receive and support a plurality of bins with undercut portions thereon that fit over the upwardly extending flange on the middle bar on the H-shaped frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Northam, Eric C. Yocum
  • Patent number: 8141720
    Abstract: A saddle rack is provided with a resilient frame and means for biasing the frame to a desired arcuate shape. The saddle rack includes a retainer that allows the saddle rack to be coupled to a wall bracket for use and easily removed when not in use. The saddle rack includes a curved shape and venting to allow a saddle to properly dry without becoming damaged or disfigured during storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kellogg, Paula M. Kellogg
  • Patent number: 8136678
    Abstract: A merchandise display support stand is formed by a single configuration stamped from a single cardboard. All component parts are formed from the configuration. The stand in the erected condition is formed by folding the configuration along various horizontal and vertical fold lines and it is foldable to a collapsed folded condition. The stand is self-erectable from the folded condition to the erected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Glenn Edward Moss
  • Patent number: 8136677
    Abstract: An adjustable card pocket having a back panel for attachment to a shelf or a mating panel and two half card pockets that are operatively attached to the back panel for holding and displaying greeting cards of varying width dimensions. The back panel contains four pocket engagement slots to engage the two pocket engagement tabs on each half card pocket. The back panel further contains a six adjustment slots designed to receive the one adjustment tab located on each of the half card pockets. The adjustment tabs can be inserted into one of three adjustment slots located on each side of the back panel allowing the pocket to contain cards of different width dimensions. The width of the pocket can be adjusted by applying a slightly outward force to each half card pocket to disengage the adjustment tabs from the adjustment slots and then slidably moving the half card pockets in either an inward or outward direction and re-engaging the adjustment tabs with another set of adjustment slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: American Greetings Corp.
    Inventors: Emory N. Brozak, Anthony J. Santarelli
  • Patent number: 8127944
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher paddle and a floor that extends forward of the pusher paddle. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extend across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the coiled spring and on the floor of the pusher mechanism. With this configuration, the pusher paddle is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. The invention may be used with the merchandising of product on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces, as well as with gravity-fed systems, or systems that use gravity as a mechanism to urge product toward the front of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 8127948
    Abstract: A shelving system supporting consumer products includes a base structure, a plurality of vertical support members, side cross-members, and a mobile support shelf. The base structure includes two side base members and a front base member attached to each side base member to define a substantially U-shaped enclosure. Each vertical support member includes a base end and a top end and each support member is attached to the base structure at the base end. Each side cross-member is coupled between two vertical support members. The mobile support shelf includes a shelf frame adapted to fit within the U-shaped enclosure. The shelf frame includes wheels coupled to the shelf frame and a latch pin adapted to engage a slot in a proximate side base member as the shelf frame is inserted into the U-shaped enclosure. The mobile support shelf includes a shelf pivotally coupled to a topside of the shelf frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ADCO Industries-Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Davis, Clifton Glenn Hampton
  • Patent number: 8127942
    Abstract: An apparatus for draining liquid from wet items is provided. The apparatus comprises opposing sidewalls, a rear wall, a front wall; a sloped floor positioned at an inclined angle between the two opposing sidewalls such that surface of the sloped floor meets the rear wall at a first position and the front wall at a second position, such that the first position is lower in altitude relative to the second position, wherein an opening formed in the apparatus allows for wet items to be placed in between the sidewalls on the sloped floor; one or more receiver partitions formed on the sloped floor to receive the wet items; and a gutter running along at least a portion of the sloped floor approximately at the first position where the sloped floor meets the rear wall, wherein the gutter is configured to collect liquid drained from the wet items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Behrouz Meshkinfam
  • Patent number: 8127939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment racks including vertical cable guides, horizontal troughs, cross aisle panels and cross-connection modules for telecommunications equipment racks. The vertical cable guides define vertical cable channels for both network infrastructure and cross-connection cables. The structure defining the second cable channel is hingedly attached to the structure defining the first cable channel. The horizontal cable troughs include both upper and lower troughs. The upper cable trough defines two cableways for directing cross-connection and other cables, and provides access openings for cables to pass into and out of each cableway and between the two cableways. The lower cable trough defines a cableway and provides access openings for cables extending into and out of the cableway. Cable troughs attached to adjacently mounted equipment racks cooperate to form continuous horizontal cableways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose-Filonel T. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 8123051
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a display fixture may include an articulable arm assembly that can be adjusted so as to retain items in a vertical orientation. In one implementation, the arm assembly may be mounted to a horizontal cross-member of a retail display fixture and may include two grasping arms that can be slidably adjusted relative to one another so as to contact the edges of a surfboard or wakeboard and securely display the item in an offset orientation such that the item is presented at an angle relative to a normal viewing direction. The arm assembly may include a pivot mechanism that permits the angle to be adjusted, optionally to a number of predetermined angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Johnson, Sixto Beltrandy, Joseph R. Guggenberger
  • Patent number: 8123049
    Abstract: A pot stand has a deployed position and a folded position and includes vertical members and horizontal members. The horizontal members are connected to the vertical members at a junction. The horizontal members are elongated planar members. Top faces formed on the horizontal members. Down bends are formed on the horizontal members. Down bends continue from the top faces. Lower faces are formed on the horizontal members. Lower faces continue from the down bends. A connector assembly has a top connector and a bottom connector. The top connector is pivotally connected to an upper surface of the lower faces. The bottom connector is pivotally connected to a lower surface of the lower faces. There is a top level formed from horizontal members for storing articles on the top level. A middle level is for storing articles on the middle level, and a bottom level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: John Wei Shen
  • Patent number: 8118179
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for providing a storage rack for cooking utensils, such as skillets and the like, that can be adjusted to accommodate cooking utensils having different characteristics. Adjustment of the rack is accomplished by assessing a particular cooking utensil and bending one or more bendable members to define a slot between two of the bendable members that is of a width that potentially accommodates the cooking utensil. In another embodiment, a bendable handle support member is provided that is capable of being moved between two positions, one of which supports an extended handle of a cooking utensil in an elevated position and the other of which does not support the handle in an elevated position. In yet a further embodiment, a bendable positioner is provided that can be bent to engage a surface adjacent to a support surface and prevent the base from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Carol Porter Smith
  • Patent number: 8113361
    Abstract: A space saving having at least three shelves where objects can be stored that is capable of being positioned over an object or addition items can be stored in an open space under shelves of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zenith Products Corp.
    Inventor: Paul Henry Winter
  • Patent number: 8109394
    Abstract: A construction template mounted on a mobile platform. The template is useful in the assembly of racks made for storing barrels, typically barrels of distilled spirits in a warehouse. Beams that will be joined to form a rack are placed alongside upright positioning elements of the construction template. Beams are placed horizontally held by tabs on the construction template. Then the upright and horizontal beams are joined to form a rack assembly that is lifted and moved off the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Blincoe
  • Patent number: 8104629
    Abstract: A device and method for dropping a first drinking vessel into a second drinking vessel includes a holder which outwardly projects from a support member. The holder releaseably suspends the first drinking vessel over the second drinking vessel, so that when the second drinking vessel is pulled away from the support member, the first drinking vessel detaches from the holder and drops into the second drinking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Scott S. Plumer