Patents by Inventor Donald L. Franze

Donald L. Franze 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).

  • Ratchet assembly
    Patent number: 7506562
    Abstract: A ratchet assembly includes a threaded rod and a support collar that defines a bore. A portion of the threaded rod is disposed in the axial bore of the support collar. A ratchet pawl is pivotable carried by the support collar between locked and unlocked positions. The ratchet pawl has at least one tooth that threadably engages the threaded rod when the ratchet pawl is in the locked position to allow the threaded rod to threadably rotate with respect to the support collar for fine position adjustments. The ratchet pawl automatically pivots to the unlocked position when the threaded rod is forced in a direction from the first end toward the second end to allow for gross position adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Randolph Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Franze, Donald L. Franze
  • Table with adjustable support
    Patent number: 6857378
    Abstract: A table has an adjustable support wherein the ratchet mechanism that locks the position of the tray with respect to the base may be moved to the unlocked position with the user's leg while the tray of the table is held by the user's hands. The table may also have a locking detent that extends entirely across the width of the support leg attached to the tray of the table to provide a strong, secure, and stable support when the table is used with heavy objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Randolph Tool Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Franze, Donald L. Franze, Russ Goodman
  • Ratchet assembly
    Publication number: 20040211288
    Abstract: A ratchet assembly includes a threaded rod and a support collar that defines a bore. A portion of the threaded rod is disposed in the axial bore of the support collar. A ratchet pawl is pivotable carried by the support collar between locked and unlocked positions. The ratchet pawl has at least one tooth that threadably engages the threaded rod when the ratchet pawl is in the locked position to allow the threaded rod to threadably rotate with respect to the support collar for fine position adjustments. The ratchet pawl automatically pivots to the unlocked position when the threaded rod is forced in a direction from the first end toward the second end to allow for gross position adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick L. Franze, Donald L. Franze
  • Table with adjustable support
    Publication number: 20040060486
    Abstract: A table has an adjustable support wherein the ratchet mechanism that locks the position of the tray with respect to the base may be moved to the unlocked position with the user's leg while the tray of the table is held by the user's hands. The table may also have a locking detent that extends entirely across the width of the support leg attached to the tray of the table to provide a strong, secure, and stable support when the table is used with heavy objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick L. Franze, Donald L. Franze, Russ Goodman