Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Fitzgerald

Thomas M. Fitzgerald 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).

  • Patent number: 11738942
    Abstract: The invention in one form is directed to a trash receptacle and lid assembly configured to aid in the prevention of fires having a rim-stop on the lid, that prevents the lid from being opened beyond the point where the lid center of gravity is located in the open position to ensure that the lid stays closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fitzgerald, David McClanahan
  • Publication number: 20220324499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tote-dolly system is configured to enable quick detachable attachment of the tote to the dolly. An exemplary tote has one or more tote-fasteners that can be quickly engaged with corresponding dolly-fasteners. An exemplary fastener may be a buckle having a clip and receiver that is quickly engaged. A preferred fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener configured on the top of the dolly and on the bottom of the tote. It may be preferred to have one of the tote-dolly components have discrete pieces of hook-and-loop fastener to facilitate detachment of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas M. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11427379
    Abstract: A modular pallet system utilizes a plurality of modular pallets that are configured to engage along sides of the pallet to form an interconnected array of coupled pallets that may be moved by a pallet truck and wherein the individual pallets are configured for detachment and transport with a hand-truck. A quad array of coupled pallets may be formed that is about a conventional pallet size and configured to receive the two forks of a fork truck into fork truck openings. One of the modular pallets of the quad array of coupled pallets may be disengaged or disconnected by use of a hand-truck, wherein the tongue of the hand-truck extends in the fork truck opening between the feet of a pallet and engages with hand-truck notches configured on feet. An interconnecting feature of a modular pallet may include a dovetail and dovetail recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas M Fitzgerald, David D McClanahan, Mark G'Francisco
  • Publication number: 20210387801
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lid mechanism, such as those for trash containers and more particularly to a lid mechanism which is operable with only one hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas M. FITZGERALD, David D. McCLANAHAN, Kelly VEATCH
  • Publication number: 20210323725
    Abstract: A modular pallet system utilizes a plurality of modular pallets that are configured to engage along sides of the pallet to form an interconnected array of coupled pallets that may be moved by a pallet truck and wherein the individual pallets are configured for detachment and transport with a hand-truck. A quad array of coupled pallets may be formed that is about a conventional pallet size and configured to receive the two forks of a fork truck into fork truck openings. One of the modular pallets of the quad array of coupled pallets may be disengaged or disconnected by use of a hand-truck, wherein the tongue of the hand-truck extends in the fork truck opening between the feet of a pallet and engages with hand-truck notches configured on feet. An interconnecting feature of a modular pallet may include a dovetail and dovetail recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas M Fitzgerald, David D McClanahan, Mark G'Francisco
  • Publication number: 20210061559
    Abstract: The invention in one form is directed to a trash receptacle and lid assembly configured to aid in the prevention of fires having a rim-stop on the lid, that prevents the lid from being opened beyond the point where the lid center of gravity is located in the open position to ensure that the lid stays closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas M. FITZGERALD, David McCLANAHAN
  • Publication number: 20210015230
    Abstract: A tote-dolly system is configured to enable quick detachable attachment of the tote to the dolly. An exemplary tote has one or more tote-fasteners that can be quickly engaged with corresponding dolly-fasteners. An exemplary fastener may be a buckle having a clip and receiver that is quickly engaged. A preferred fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener configured on the top of the dolly and on the bottom of the tote. It may be preferred to have one of the tote-dolly components have discrete pieces of hook-and-loop fastener to facilitate detachment of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas M Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9499337
    Abstract: A receptacle having a lid coupled to a receptacle body by a hinge is configured for the replacement of a flexible liner without removal of the lid. A flange extension is configured at an offset distance to the hinge and enables the perimeter of the flexible liner to be retained in a liner retainer and extend up and over the hinge and into a flange extension on the opposing side of the hinge. This configuration holds the perimeter of the flexible liner taut and ensures that it remains in place as contents are placed in the receptacle. A pair of trunnion hinges may extend in opposing directions from the receptacle body to provide a detachable attachment of a lid. A flange extension may extend substantially around the liner retainer portion or only a certain distance from the end of a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: T.M. Fitzgerald & Associates
    Inventors: Thomas M Fitzgerald, David D McClanahan
  • Publication number: 20160052711
    Abstract: A receptacle having a lid coupled to a receptacle body by a hinge is configured for the replacement of a flexible liner without removal of the lid. A flange extension is configured at an offset distance to the hinge and enables the perimeter of the flexible liner to be retained in a liner retainer and extend up and over the hinge and into a flange extension on the opposing side of the hinge. This configuration holds the perimeter of the flexible liner taut and ensures that it remains in place as contents are placed in the receptacle. A pair of trunnion hinges may extend in opposing directions from the receptacle body to provide a detachable attachment of a lid. A flange extension may extend substantially around the liner retainer portion or only a certain distance from the end of a hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fitzgerald, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: D935724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Valet Living, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fitzgerald, David D. McClanahan, Kelly Veatch
  • Patent number: D935725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Valet Living, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fitzgerald, David D. McClanahan, Kelly Veatch
  • Patent number: D936324
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Valet Living, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fitzgerald, David D. McClanahan, Kelly Veatch
  • Patent number: D1017944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Valet Living, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fitzgerald, David D. McClanahan, Kelly Veatch