Patents by Inventor James C. Muth
James C. Muth 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: 9232856Abstract: A structural coupler for joining two storage racks of a mobile rack system. The coupler includes three separate components that are movable relative to each other to allow for relative movement between adjacent storage racks while providing the structural stability to prevent tipping of the storage racks. The coupler includes a coupling bracket that includes a pair of tabs that extend through open slots formed in a movement bracket and through receiving slots formed in a receiving bracket. A removable connector prevents separation of the coupler in the assembled condition while the size of the coupling tabs relative to the open slots allows the three components to move relative to each other. A series of individual couplers can be used along the height of the uprights that form part of each of the individual storage racks.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: David Joseph Yaniak, James C. Muth
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Patent number: 8960455Abstract: A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: Matthew A. Tourdot, James C. Muth, Brian R. Nemec, Brian P. Bourke, Eric J. Wipperfurth
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Publication number: 20130248474Abstract: A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: Matthew A. Tourdot, James C. Muth, Brian R. Nemec, Brian P. Bourke, Eric J. Wipperfurth
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Patent number: 8443990Abstract: A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: Matthew A. Tourdot, James C. Muth, Brian R. Nemec, Brian P. Bourke, Eric Wipperfurth
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Patent number: 8172343Abstract: A mobile storage unit for a mobile storage system includes a pair of axially extending wheel units, each of which defines spaced apart end areas and includes a wheel arrangement. A storage unit support structure is interconnected with the wheel units, and includes upright support members and shelf support members. A pair of upright support members are engaged with and supported by the end areas of each wheel unit. A lowermost shelf support member is secured to an end area of one of the wheel units. The lowermost shelf support members are secured to the upright support members and to the end areas of the wheel units. Each end area of each wheel unit includes an upwardly facing engagement surface, and the lowermost shelf support member is secured to the upwardly facing engagement surface. The upright support members are also supported by the upwardly facing engagement surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventor: James C. Muth
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Patent number: 8121722Abstract: The present invention is a mobile storage system that includes a number of mobile storage units movably disposed with respect to one another and including a logic system. A signal from a motion control actuator on a mobile storage unit which is to move where an aisle is desired directs a run signal to at least one unit to cause one or multiple units to be driven successively away from a desired aisle. If multiple units are moved together, a motion control actuator on the unit adjacent the closing aisle is operated to move the actuated unit and the other units. The logic system remembers and maintains each new open aisle width and closed aisle width after the termination of a particular movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: Matthew A. Tourdot, James C. Muth, William W. R. Lynt, III, William B. McHenry, Steven M. Lehmann
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Publication number: 20100226743Abstract: A mobile storage unit for a mobile storage system includes a pair of axially extending wheel units, each of which defines spaced apart end areas and includes a wheel arrangement. A storage unit support structure is interconnected with the wheel units, and includes upright support members and shelf support members. A pair of upright support members are engaged with and supported by the end areas of each wheel unit. A lowermost shelf support member is secured to an end area of one of the wheel units. The lowermost shelf support members are secured to the upright support members and to the end areas of the wheel units. Each end area of each wheel unit includes an upwardly facing engagement surface, and the lowermost shelf support member is secured to the upwardly facing engagement surface. The upright support members are also supported by the upwardly facing engagement surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventor: James C. Muth
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Publication number: 20100200528Abstract: A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2007Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: SPACESAVER CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew A. Tourdot, James C. Muth, Brian R. Nemec, Brian P. Bourke, Eric Wipperfurth
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Patent number: 7524002Abstract: A storage cabinet assembly for use in storing firearms or the like includes a cabinet with a recessed bifold door arrangement, to facilitate access to items contained within the cabinet assembly. The door arrangement includes a single-point locking system, which provides a secure arrangement for maintaining the doors in a closed position while providing ease in opening and closing the doors. Various support and storage modules or components are adapted to be contained within the interior of the cabinet, including stock rests for positioning in the bottom of the cabinet interior, as well as barrel rests and pistol supports that are secured to amounting member which may be adjustably positioned within the storage cabinet interior. A bin or shelf arrangement may also be positioned within the storage cabinet interior. The various support and storage modules or components may be used in various combinations, and may be moved to various positions within the storage cabinet interior.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: William H Punzel, Jane E Glass, Andrew J. Kolman, Steven S. Dingle, James C. Muth
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Publication number: 20090079308Abstract: A storage cabinet assembly for use in storing firearms or the like includes a cabinet with a recessed bifold door arrangement, to facilitate access to items contained within the cabinet assembly. The door arrangement includes a single-point locking system, which provides a secure arrangement for maintaining the doors in a closed position while providing ease in opening and closing the doors. Various support and storage modules or components are adapted to be contained within the interior of the cabinet, including stock rests for positioning in the bottom of the cabinet interior, as well as barrel rests and pistol supports that are secured to amounting member which may be adjustably positioned within the storage cabinet interior. A bin or shelf arrangement may also be positioned within the storage cabinet interior. The various support and storage modules or components may be used in various combinations, and may be moved to various positions within the storage cabinet interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: William H. Punzel, Jane E. Glass, Andrew J. Kolman, Steven S. Dingle, James C. Muth
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Patent number: 7478892Abstract: A storage cabinet assembly for use in storing firearms or the like includes a cabinet with a recessed bifold door arrangement, to facilitate access to items contained within the cabinet assembly. The door arrangement includes a single-point locking system, which provides a secure arrangement for maintaining the doors in a closed position while providing ease in opening and closing the doors. Various support and storage modules or components are adapted to be contained within the interior of the cabinet, including stock rests for positioning in the bottom of the cabinet interior, as well as barrel rests and pistol supports that are secured to amounting member which may be adjustably positioned within the storage cabinet interior. A bin or shelf arrangement may also be positioned within the storage cabinet interior. The various support and storage modules or components may be used in various combinations, and may be moved to various positions within the storage cabinet interior.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: William H Punzel, Jane E Glass, Andrew J. Kolman, Steven S. Dingle, James C. Muth
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Publication number: 20080218040Abstract: A storage cabinet assembly for use in storing firearms or the like includes a cabinet with a recessed bifold door arrangement, to facilitate access to items contained within the cabinet assembly. The door arrangement includes a single-point locking system, which provides a secure arrangement for maintaining the doors in a closed position while providing ease in opening and closing the doors. Various support and storage modules or components are adapted to be contained within the interior of the cabinet, including stock rests for positioning in the bottom of the cabinet interior, as well as barrel rests and pistol supports that are secured to amounting member which may be adjustably positioned within the storage cabinet interior. A bin or shelf arrangement may also be positioned within the storage cabinet interior. The various support and storage modules or components may be used in various combinations, and may be moved to various positions within the storage cabinet interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: William H. Punzel, Jane E. Glass, Andrew J. Kolman, Steven S. Dingle, James C. Muth
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Publication number: 20080133046Abstract: The present invention is a mobile storage system that includes a number of mobile storage units movably disposed with respect to one another and including a logic system. A signal from a motion control actuator on a mobile storage unit which is to move where an aisle is desired directs a run signal to at least one unit to cause one or multiple units to be driven successively away from a desired aisle. If multiple units are moved together, a motion control actuator on the unit adjacent the closing aisle is operated to move the actuated unit and the other units. The logic system remembers and maintains each new open aisle width and closed aisle width after the termination of a particular movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Matthew A. Tourdot, James C. Muth, William W.R. Lynt, William B. McHenry, Steven M. Lehmann
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Publication number: 20070278912Abstract: A storage cabinet assembly for use in storing firearms or the like includes a cabinet with a recessed bifold door arrangement, to facilitate access to items contained within the cabinet assembly. The door arrangement includes a single-point locking system, which provides a secure arrangement for maintaining the doors in a closed position while providing ease in opening and closing the doors. Various support and storage modules or components are adapted to be contained within the interior of the cabinet, including stock rests for positioning in the bottom of the cabinet interior, as well as barrel rests and pistol supports that are secured to amounting member which may be adjustably positioned within the storage cabinet interior. A bin or shelf arrangement may also be positioned within the storage cabinet interior. The various support and storage modules or components may be used in various combinations, and may be moved to various positions within the storage cabinet interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: William H. Punzel, Jane E. Glass, Andrew J. Kolman, Steven S. Dingle, James C. Muth
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Patent number: 6644213Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventor: James C. Muth
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Publication number: 20020104458Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Applicant: Spacesaver CorporationInventor: James C. Muth
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Patent number: 6371031Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventor: James C Muth
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Patent number: 6273534Abstract: A mounting bracket system is provided for installing a shelving accessory within a cabinet assembly having a pair of front and rear corner posts on opposed sides of the cabinet. Each of the pair of corner posts has facing surfaces formed with aligned keyholes therein. The mounting bracket system includes a pair of mounting brackets disposed on each side of the cabinet, one of the mounting brackets being selectively mounted to a front corner post and the other being selectively mounted to a rear corner post. Each of the mounting brackets has a planar side wall including mounting structure for mounting the shelving accessory. A first end wall extends generally perpendicular to the side wall and has an outer surface engageable with one of the facing surfaces. A second end wall is spaced from and lies parallel to the first end wall. A pair of rivets is fixed to the first end wall and is spaced apart a predetermined distance matching the spacing between two of the keyholes.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: Douglas J. Bueley, James C. Muth
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Patent number: 6161485Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of end rails (12a, 12c) fixed to a support surface and one or more intermediate rails (12b) located parallel to and between the pair of end rails (12a, 12c). At least one carriage (10) is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails (12a-c). The carriage (10) includes an elongated frame (17) that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels (23) and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft (35) which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft (35) and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear (33) on the shaft which has a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of driven gears (29) on the units. An electric motor (41) is operatively connected to the drive shaft (35).Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventor: James C Muth
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Patent number: 5401090Abstract: A mechanism that automatically locks a movable storage unit against closure of an aisle between the unit and a blocking object such as a facing movable or stationary storage unit or wall, while permitting continued opening of the aisle, without any electrical controls. A ratcheting device, such as a pawl and a toothed wheel, is shiftable between a ratcheting state permitting movement of the movable storage unit only away from the facing storage unit or wall, and a non-ratcheting state permitting movement of the unit in either direction. The mechanism includes a bar biased toward the facing storage unit or wall, and a drive shaft rotated by the bar and driving a cam block to shift the pawl from its non-ratcheting state to its ratcheting state due to the movable storage unit having moved away from the facing storage unit or wall by a predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1992Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Spacesaver CorporationInventors: James C. Muth, Daniel K. Fay