Patents by Inventor Alan R. Kern
Alan R. Kern has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6206385Abstract: A modular, universal, molded plastic flatbed type cart for carrying and supporting products includes variable product supporting metallic handles located at opposed ends of the cart. The handles include vertically extending posts that define at least one central channel completely open in an upward direction above the bed section of the cart and preferably another upwardly opening side channel located above the cart bed; continuous U-shaped handles, handles with a collapsible tray, and connector rails spanning the handles from one end of the cart to the other. The product handles are usable for manipulating the cart and are integrated into metal cart bed reinforcing elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Scottlan R. Henry, Brad R. Schwichtenberg, Terrill M. Porter
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Patent number: 5921566Abstract: A dolly with a one-step injection molded one-piece plastic frame is provided. The frame includes a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal side members and a pair of substantially parallel transverse side members which form a generally rectangular frame having corners. A bottom of the dolly is at least partially formed in a honeycomb/cellular configuration. A plurality of casters are mounted to the bottom of the frame via a plurality of caster fastening bolts which are received in a corresponding plurality of caster fastening holes disposed at the corners. The dolly may also include a riser block disposed on a top of the frame along a side member and secured to the frame by the caster fastening bolts. A rubber pad may be disposed on the riser block and secured between the riser block and the top of the frame. The dolly may also include a channel in the bottom of one or more side members for receiving a reinforcing member.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Rehrig International Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Terrill M. Porter
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Patent number: 5871286Abstract: A molded bearing assembly for a molded wheel includes a synthetic resin outer bearing race element embedded in the hub of the molded wheel and having a cylindrical inner sliding, journal type bearing surface. An inner bearing assembly includes two molded synthetic resin bearing halves having continuous cylindrical outer bearing surfaces disposed within the outer bearing race in sliding engagement with the inner bearing surface of the outer race. The bearing halves of the inner bearing assembly abut each other at their inner ends and may include interlocking structural features at their inner ends that enable securing of the bearing halves together at their inner ends while presenting a continuous outer cylindrical bearing sliding surface that cooperates with the adjacent surface of the outer race. A wheel axle extends through the inner bearing assembly and supports the wheel and bearing assembly for rotation relative to a wheel support.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Scottlan R. Henry, Christopher M. Johnson
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Patent number: 5865448Abstract: A plastic basket of a nestable shopping cart is integrally formed with support projections at upper inner edge portions of the side panels thereof at a position spaced rearward of a front panel. The support projections are adapted to support a pivoting rear gate member of a similarly constructed cart such that, when the two carts are nested, the rear gate panel abuts and is supported by the support projections in order to prevent the rear gate panel from dropping down into the plastic basket during cart nesting.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Thomas Vineyard Hammack, John A. LaFleur
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Patent number: 5718441Abstract: A transport and display cart is formed of light weight plastic and metal components including a base unit formed from an open framework in which is disposed and fastened a molded plastic tray. Wheels preferably including casters are provided on the underside of the base unit and opposed ladder units having horizontal bars or rungs are removably connected to opposed ends of the base unit by fitting within post supports rigidly connected to the base unit. Upper shelves include plastic trays that are constructed identical to the tray connected to the base unit and reinforcing rods having downwardly open jaws or hooks at their opposed ends for engaging the horizontal rungs or bars of the opposed ladder units. The upper shelves can be selectively disposed in horizontal or tilted positions simply by hooking the ends of the reinforcing rods over different rungs of the ladder units.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1995Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, John A. LaFleur, Bradley Dean Miller, Scottlan R. Henry
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Patent number: 5556118Abstract: A flat bed cart includes a molded resin load carrying bed having longitudinally spaced ends, a generally planar upper side and a bottom side that includes a plurality of ribs, a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending slots and first, second and third sets of integrally molded fastener mounted pads that are located adjacent the first and second ends of the bed and intermediate the ends respectively. The slots receive a pair of longitudinally extending reinforcing bars that carry at their ends upright handle receiving mounts. The handle receiving mounts include members arranged in recesses spaced about the periphery of the bed at the first and second ends thereof. At least one handle is provided which is adapted to be selectively positioned within a respective pair of the upstanding handle receiving mounts.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, John A. LaFleur, George Hand, Bruce Ferris
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Patent number: 5409245Abstract: A platform type hand cart includes a molded resin load carrying bed that is universally adaptable for both nesting and non-nesting cart configurations. The cart bed is slightly tapered from its rearward end to its forward end to enhance nestability, has a downwardly and forwardly sloping rear edge to further enhance nestability and includes various groups of mounting pads integrally molded into the underside of the bed for receiving fasteners used to secure wheel assemblies, a hinge assembly and a bumper assembly. Integrally molded reinforcing rod receiving pads may also be integrally molded into the underside of the bed for receiving structural reinforcing rods to stiffen the bed against deflection under load. By providing a single bed member with all of the various mounting pads required for nesting and non-nesting cart configurations, economies are achieved by permitting use of a single mold to produce a single bed adaptable for nesting and non-nesting cart applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Steven C. Decker, John A. LaFleur, Bruce S. Ferris, George H. Hand, Jeffrey W. Rosania, John J. Refalo, III
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Patent number: 5201134Abstract: An advertisement card display assembly particularly suitable for walls of plastic shopping carts. The assembly includes a rectangular backing plate held or formed in a cart wall opening. An upright wall is formed on and about the entire perimeter of the plate. Inwardly disposed tabs are formed on top of the wall on three of the four sides define slots. Display cards can be inserted from the fourth side into the slots and into a display position against the backing plate. The tabs retain the card in the display position. Keeper ribs on the backing plate at the fourth side prevent the card from slipping out of the display position but do not prevent the removal therefrom by being lifted slightly and slid back out the slots. The entire assembly is injection molded as one piece with the basket wall. Mold inserts form the slots and tabs.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1990Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Houston Rehrig, Steven C. Decker, Alan R. Kern, Lonnie G. Dickerson
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Patent number: D356200Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Steven C. Decker, John A. LaFleur, Bruce S. Ferris, George H. Hand, Jeffrey W. Rosania, John J. Refalo, III
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Patent number: D366745Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, John A. LaFleur, Goerge Hand, Bruce Ferris
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Patent number: D400679Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Rehrig International, IncInventors: Alan R. Kern, Christopher Michael Johnson, Scottlan Ray Henry
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Patent number: D408956Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Kern, Chris Johnson, Ralph McCann