Mounted On Slide-and-guide Patents (Class 108/143)
  • Publication number: 20020078865
    Abstract: A furniture piece which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing includes a storage compartment for storing compact disks, videotape cassettes and the like. The storage compartment includes fixed and adjustable dividers. The storage compartment is adapted to be concealed from view by means of a sliding top which is integrated into the furniture piece thereby to produce an uncluttered appearance as well as easy access to the contents of the storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel Kuvshinikov
  • Patent number: 6364265
    Abstract: A swivel mounting bracket couples a heavy and cumbersome object to a casing attached to an undersurface. Slide members can attach the mounting bracket to the casing and allow the mounting bracket to be extendable. The mounting bracket comprises a support surface, and a bridge integral with the support surface. A rotatable plate slides and releasably locks in between the support surface and the bridge. The plate attaches to the object to be mounted, and allows the object to rotate with respect to the desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Accuride International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Milligan, Avi Bilu
  • Patent number: 6363809
    Abstract: An XY stage for precision movement for use in aligning a wafer in a microlithography system. A main stage supporting the wafer straddles a movable beam that is magnetically driven in a first linear direction in the XY plane. A follower stage, mechanically independent of the main stage, also moves in the first linear (X) direction and its motion is electronically synchronized by a control system with the main stage motion in the X direction. Electromagnetic drive motors include magnetic tracks mounted on the follower stage which cooperate with motor coils mounted on the edges of the main stage to move the main stage in a second linear (Y) direction normal to the X direction. Thus the main stage is isolated from mechanical disturbances in the XY plane since there is no mechanical connections and is lightened by removing the weight of the magnetic tracks from the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation, Japan
    Inventors: W. Thomas Novak, Zahirudeen Premji, Uday G. Nayak, Akimitsu Ebihara
  • Patent number: 6364136
    Abstract: A sliding and height-adjustable tray shelf unit of a display apparatus has a shelf that slides inward and outward relative to the display apparatus is also adjustable vertically relative to the slotted standard of the display apparatus. Each sliding shelf can also incorporate a removable modular tray in order to allow one tray to be replaced with another tray, perhaps already pre-stocked with items to be displayed. Each sliding shelf also has a support frame that is mounted to the display apparatus or standard by way of hooked prongs or flanges that interact with the slots within the standard. A tray support base or a display tray is mounted to the support frame by any of several ways such that the tray support base “slides” relative to the support frame, such as by wheels that rotate within tracks, pegs or detent tabs that slide forward and backward within tracks cut into a flat surface, and a molded section that slides along an upstanding edge or rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Display Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Weshler, Stephen Moore, Jeffrey Fox
  • Publication number: 20010050521
    Abstract: A refrigerator shelf comprising a plate surrounded by a frame to which there are connected guide means for the slidable guiding of a closure member formed from an assembly of hinged-together bar elements which is able to pass between an extended position in which it closes a chamber formed between said shelf and an underlying shelf, and a retracted position into the guide means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Marco Maritan, Lorenzo Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6327929
    Abstract: The two dimensional drive system is capable of properly supporting a load applied to a slider and improving the positioning accuracy, the resolution, etc. The drive system comprises: a base; a pair of first fixed guides; a pair of second fixed guides; a first moving beam being capable of moving in the first direction; a second moving beam being capable of moving in the second direction; a slider being capable of moving along the first moving beam and the second moving beam; a first ball screw for moving the slider in the first direction; a second ball screw for moving the slider in second direction; first driving means for driving the first ball screw; second driving means for driving the second ball screw; and a third fixed guide being fixed between the first fixed guides and slidably connected to the first moving beam, whereby the third fixed guide guides the first moving beam in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Ken Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 6322180
    Abstract: A first device for use in conjunction with display cases include a frame, a support member slidably disposed on the frame, an arm disposed on the support member for slidable movement therewith, a first work surface disposed on the support member, and a dampening member disposed between the second work surface and the support member for reducing vibration transfer to the first surface. A second device comprises a rail, a support member slidably disposed on the rail, and a dampening member disposed between the rail and the support member. A third device includes a window frame slidably engaged with a display case, a window supported by the frame member, and a work surface disposed on the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Donald M. Hall, Ross M. Hall, Morison Ryan Hall
  • Patent number: 6299267
    Abstract: A cabinet mounted cutting board is disclosed. The device includes a mounting member having a pair of opposing channels for receiving opposite sides of the cutting board. The channels are connected by metal strips having apertures for receiving fasteners. The mounting member is attached to the underside of a cabinet over a countertop for convenient storage and use of the cutting board. The device is easily manufactured and installed without the need for expensive reconstruction of the cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Allen J. Butters
  • Patent number: 6234085
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a portable lap-top workstation that is expandable to span the distance of an individual's lap to provide a comfortable, flat surface area designed to accommodate a lap-top computer and a variety of small computer related accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Robert J. Ramundo
  • Patent number: 6199490
    Abstract: A telescoping table with a base and at least two slides and a support table, which can be displaced linearly on it in a telescoping manner, and with drive devices assigned to these components, is to be operated in such a way that, even at small degrees of extension, at least the support table is fully or almost fully extended on the slide which guides it, and, to the extent possible, the second slide is also extended relatively far forward on the first slide, the required drive devices being installed in readily accessible and easy-to-maintain locations. For this purpose, it is proposed that the base be equipped with two drive devices, the first of which is connected only to the first slide, whereas the second operates tension cables, tension belts, tension bands, tension chains, and/or lengths of chain which operate a second slide or a second slide plus additional slides as well as the support table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: “AFB” Anlagen-und Filterbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Langer
  • Patent number: 6196138
    Abstract: A movable table unit capable of carrying out an operation for rotating a movable table at a position other than an original point and an operation for moving it in parallel after rotating at a predetermined angle by a simple control, capable of moving the rotation center linearly along two axes easily, and further moving the movable table largely along a single axis, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: THK Co., LTD
    Inventors: Junichi Sakai, Yoichi Fukasawa, Satoru Okamura
  • Patent number: 6189429
    Abstract: A workpiece supporting assembly for a table saw includes a worktable and two horizontal rows of rollers disposed respectively and rotatably on two vertical side walls of the worktable. Two movable rails are disposed respectively on the side walls of the worktable. Each of the rails has an open-ended horizontal dovetail groove that extends long the length thereof and that confines the rollers of a corresponding one of the rows therein. A horizontal extension support plate rides on the rails. Accordingly, the rails and the extension support plate can move smoothly relative to the worktable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: P&F Brother Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6186024
    Abstract: The device for displacing a platform includes two carriages driven, simultaneously or separately, on guiding rails oriented along an axis X. The two carriages carry a platform mounting slides engaged with slideways on the carriages. At least one of the slides of the platform carriage and at least one of the slideways of the carriage is oriented at an angle other than 90° relative to an axis X. The displacement along any direction of a plane comprised of the axes X and Z of a tool holder spindle or work piece spindle mounted on the platform can be obtained only by the relative or simultaneous moving of the two carriages on the guiding rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kummer Freres S.A. /Fabrique de machines
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Leiber
  • Patent number: 6173934
    Abstract: An improved connecting mechanism includes a rotary frame, a connecting seat, and a tightening device. The rotary frame is a substantially inverted U-shaped frame having frame wings on both sides provided with symmetrical wing holes. The connecting seat is a substantially curved structure having a front end seat and a rear end seat, the front end seat being disposed between the two frame wings and formed with a through front axial hole in a transverse direction. The front axial hole has two ends each of which is provided with a recess that is further communicated radially with a groove and a sector-like end recess. Springs are fitted into the recesses, respectively, such that a spring end at one end of each of the springs is inserted into the groove, with a spring coil extending from a spring post at the other end passing through one of the end recesses to connect to one of the frame wings. The tightening device includes a shaft passing through the two wing holes, the two springs, and the front axial hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Chin Lin
  • Patent number: 6170409
    Abstract: A table is disclosed for use in connection with a machine unit such as a multi-head embroidery machine. The table surface is slidably mounted to a slide unit mounted on a sub frame that is vertically movable between an upper position where the table can support a flat work piece to be sewn at the head of the machine, and a lower position where tubular pieces can be freely hand sewn freely from the machine head. The table is moved between the upper and lower positions by hydraulic cylinders that raise and lower the sub frame unit. The table can also be retracted into the main frame of the machine unit by means of a slide unit attached between the table and the sub frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Howard Jameson Smith
  • Patent number: 6164462
    Abstract: A display rack including shelf assemblies which are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each shelf assembly includes a pair of slides adapted to slidably receive a pair of support arms extending forwardly from vertical uprights of the display rack. Each slide has a cavity therein in which one of the support arms is slidably received. The shelf may be locked in either an extended position or a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Mumford
  • Patent number: 6149120
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a device having a first and second upright, a support rail connecting the first upright and the second upright, and a vertical spacer having a first edge, a second edge and a bearing surface. A portion of the first edge is disposed on the first upright and a portion of the first edge is disposed on the second upright. A guide rail having a top surface is disposed along the second edge of the vertical spacer. The guide rail extends over the bearing surface. The device further includes a sliding support member having a first roller, a second roller and a third roller. The first roller engages the top surface of the guide rail and is oriented for transmitting substantially only vertical forces from the sliding support member to the top surface. The second roller engages the support rail and is oriented for transmitting substantially only horizontal forces from the sliding support member to the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6148813
    Abstract: A telescoping rack assembly for an oven cavity includes a rack extendable upon a primary rack frame which, in turn, is mounted for sliding movement relative to the oven cavity. Therefore, with this arrangement, multiple extensions for the rack is available. The rack is preferably supported upon guides carried by the rack frame, along with multiple sets of rollers. A secondary rack frame can be provided to slidably support the primary rack frame such that a further extension is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Shelton T. Barnes, Perry A. Bennett, Earl T. Rhinehart
  • Patent number: 6142321
    Abstract: A shelving apparatus is provided having a first set of cross members and a second set of cross members which are adapted to slidably couple with one another to form an adjustable shelf. Both sets of cross members have single or plurality of corresponding projecting and female surfaces such that the male surfaces of the first set of cross members are slidably received by the female surface of the second set of cross members. The cross members, which are formed from light-weight material, have a cavity therein which assists in making the shelving apparatus strong and light weight. A support bracket is also provided for additional strength for the shelving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Westerlund Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. West
  • Patent number: 6134981
    Abstract: An XY stage for precision movement for use in aligning a wafer in a microlithography system. A main stage supporting the wafer straddles a movable beam that is magnetically driven in a first linear direction in the XY plane. A follower stage, mechanically independent of the main stage, also moves in the first linear (X) direction and its motion is electronically synchronized by a control system with the main stage motion in the X direction. Electromagnetic drive motors include magnetic tracks mounted on the follower stage which cooperate with motor coils mounted on the edges of the main stage to move the main stage in a second linear (Y) direction normal to the X direction. Thus the main stage is isolated from mechanical disturbances in the XY plane since there is no mechanical connections and is lightened by removing the weight of the magnetic tracks from the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Research Corporation of America
    Inventors: W. Thomas Novak, Zahirudeen Premji, Uday G. Nayak, Akimitsu Ebihara
  • Patent number: 6113205
    Abstract: A self-assembled closet utilizes clip elements to secure deck boards to side boards. The clip element comprises a female strip and a male strip. Each male strip and each female strip has a protuberance, through apertures, and arcuate engaging recess at the top portion and an extending protuberance which allows the male strip and the female strip to clamp each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Tannery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Ta Kuo
  • Patent number: 6053117
    Abstract: A retractable work table assembly for use with a housing such as an electrical panel is disclosed. The housing is mountable on a bracket to which a table member is slidably attached. The table member is formed from a flat plate which can have side panels around the perimeter to form a trough. The table member is attached to the upper end of the bracket via a biasing member, and is slidably movable between a retracted position in which the table member is positioned behind the housing, and an extended position in which the table member is positioned extending from the housing at a right angle. The table member can have a retaining member mounted on the flat plate for engaging the housing to retain the table member in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel H. Daoud
  • Patent number: 6047613
    Abstract: The invention concerns a drive device for the mechanical stage (1) of a microscope, said device having a stationary base plate (2) and slides (3, 4) which are disposed thereon, are movable in the X and Y directions and are used to position an object to be examined. Secured on each of the slides (3, 4) is a rack (5, 6) which is drivingly connected in each case to a drive pinion (7, 8). Two superimposed control knobs (9) are provided on the microscope mechanical stage (1) for manually manipulating the drive device. Disposed in each case between the control knobs (9) and the respective drive pinion (7, 8) is a transmission element in the form of a toothed belt (10, 11) which transmits the rotational movement at the control knobs (2) to the respective drive pinion (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Leica AG
    Inventor: Karl Kragolnik
  • Patent number: 6042203
    Abstract: A console enclosure for supporting various computer or electronic components including an adjustable monitor supporting shelf within the enclosure, and adjustable keyboard table and a shielding canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Infra-Structures, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Bogucki
  • Patent number: 6015053
    Abstract: An all-plastic shelf unit module has a sliding drawer supported below its underside. The module has four pieces: a drawer, a shelf piece, and two slide supports that support the drawer beneath the shelf piece. The slide supports have intromittent plugs that plug into sockets located on the bottom surface of the shelf piece. The plugs have a "lock in place" feature that locks them in place once they have been fully inserted, and such insertion is accomplished by horizontal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Honeyware, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony L. Sheng
  • Patent number: 5996437
    Abstract: An XY stage for precision movement for use in aligning a wafer in a microlithography system. A main stage supporting the wafer straddles a movable beam that is magnetically driven in a first linear direction in the XY plane. A follower stage, mechanically independent of the main stage, also moves in the first linear (X) difection and its motion is electronically synchronized by a control system with the main stage motion in the X direction. Electromagnetic drive motors include magnetic tracks mounted on the follower stage which cooperate with motor coils mounted on the edges of the main stage to move the main stage in a second linear (Y) direction normal to the X direction. Thus the main stage is isolated from mechanical disturbances in the XY plane since there is no mechanical connections and is lightened by removing the weight of the magnetic tracks from the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: W. Thomas Novak, Zahirudeen Premji, Uday G. Nayak, Akimitsu Ebihara
  • Patent number: 5980192
    Abstract: A table feeder apparatus comprises a base, a feed screw rotatably supported on the base and a motor for rotating the feed screw about a feed axis. A feed nut is mounted on the feed screw and a block is mounted integrally with the feed nut. A table is disposed on the block for movement along the feed axis. In one aspect, a slide mechanism is disposed between the block and the table. The slide mechanism is slidable in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction transverse to the feed axis. During movement of the table, the slide mechanism slides to absorb a force applied to the feed nut, tending to displace the block and table in a direction transverse to the feed axis, to prevent the applied force from being transmitted to the table. In another aspect, the table is provided with an opening in which a table portion is removably fitted. Removal of the table portion facilitates maintenance of the slide mechanism without requiring the entire table feeder structure to be dismantled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Seiko Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigehiro Arai
  • Patent number: 5970887
    Abstract: An extendable shelf assembly mounted on a first and a second slotted upright, comprising a first extender bar having slots and being affixed to the first slotted upright, a second extender bar having slots and being affixed to the second slotted upright, [the first extender bar including slots,] a front rail, a back rail, a first side rail and a second side rail cooperatively defining a shelf frame, and a first and a second rotatable sprocket affixed to the shelf frame. The shelf frame slides between a plurality of fixed positions along the extender bar as the first sprocket engages the slots of the first extender bar and the second sprocket engages the slots of the second extender bar. The first and second sprockets are affixed to an axle that runs parallel to the back rail. The first and second sprockets comprises a plurality of teeth that engage the slots of the extender bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 5947502
    Abstract: A portable stage, transportable in a stacked configuration on a conventional truck trailer, has two modular units manually or vehicularly positionable side-by-side to define the platform of the stage. The platform of one unit is laterally and angularly relocatable relative to the supporting frame to position it contactingly adjacent the platform of the other unit. A plurality of carts, nestable as pairs intermediate the stacked units during transport, are deployed to convey the equipment used on the stage from a source or depot to the assembled stage and return. A pair of ramps serve multiple functions of loading and unloading the units and the carts and are configured to be anchored to different load bearing receiving elements. A specifically configured detachably attached yoke permits turning of pivotally mounted paired wheel trucks while positioning a unit to assemble or disassemble the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: K-Zell Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Kammerzell, Don T. Engler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5947416
    Abstract: A rising table assembly including an extension assembly and tabletop. The table may be stowable beneath a floor surface. The table assembly is typically extendible through an opening in the floor surface to a position above the floor. A set of closure doors may be provided to act as a floor surface when the table assembly is in stowed position beneath the floor. The table assembly is particularly suitable for use in vehicles such as aircraft, trains, motor homes, or boats. The table assembly may be of use in other situations where space is a premium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Kraft
  • Patent number: 5947035
    Abstract: A device for connecting an auxiliary desk to a main desk includes two frames attached to the underside of the main desk and each of the two frames having a groove defined therein for a slide movably received between the two frames. An inverted T-shaped connecting member is connected between the connecting member and the auxiliary desk wherein the connecting member is rotatably connected to the slide so that the auxiliary desk is slid and pivoted relative to the main desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Chang
  • Patent number: 5937924
    Abstract: A workbench having multiple sections, each variable in width, connected together to form a work surface. A movable tool platform is located on each section, so that the platform is movable over the surface of the workbench section. A tool is mounted to each of the tool platforms, such that the tool is moved forward for working on a workpiece and backward to allow the front of the workbench to be used as a work surface. Thus, the workpiece is placed at the front of the workbench, and each tool needed for work on the workpiece is then moved, in turn, to the front of the workbench where it is used to perform work on the workpiece. The workbench can have a separation between the sections, to allow shavings and other waste material to fall below the work surface of the workbench and out of the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: William C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5937766
    Abstract: A tool holder includes three degrees of adjustment to fit over the engine compartment of most any vehicle. The tool holder includes a tray rotatably attached to a telescoping arm which in turn is supported by two rotatable leg supports. The assembly is adapted to rest upon a vehicle's front fenders and straddle the engine compartment. In one embodiment of the invention, a tool holding magnet is used instead of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Donald I. Denny
  • Patent number: 5931102
    Abstract: An ergonomic support device having a platform supported by a telescoping support arm which is in turn adjustably supported on a vertical post. The vertical post may be clamped to a desk, table, or the like so that the platform is elevated relative to a desk top, for example. The connection of the platform to the support arm provides for a wide range of adjustment of the platform, including tilting, pivoting, and back and forth translation. The device also provides for vertical and pivotal adjustment of the support arm relative to the vertical post, which further increases the range of adjustability of the platform. The adjustable platform supports reading materials and the like so that a user can stand while reading, writing, or performing other routine desk work, thus enhancing dynamic movement of a user who would otherwise be sitting in a sedentary position for lengthy periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Grahl Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrich W. Grahl, deceased
  • Patent number: 5918506
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for generating a regular, linear transfer movement especially for reading an image plate used in X-raying. The transfer device comprises a fixed housing, a rotatable threaded bar (5), a slide (6) moving linearly on the bar, slide guides (9, 10) for controlling the linear movement of the slide, and members for transforming the rotational movement of the bar into the linear movement of the slide. In accordance with the invention, these members consist of two followers (8) elastically articulated in the slide (6) and placed on opposite sides of the threaded bar (5), each of which is provided with a tongue (15) elastically stressed in the threaded groove (7) of the bar, the stressing member consisting of a pull device (19, 21) fitted between the followers and interconnecting the followers elastically in the transverse direction of the threaded bar. The pull device may consist of a magnet (19) and its counterpart (21), or optionally of a draw-spring between the followers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Orion-Yhtyma Oy
    Inventor: Matti Rantanen
  • Patent number: 5915602
    Abstract: A portable bar capable of having its customer counter either slid backward and the overhanging portion pivoted downward or, alternately, completely removed from a base cabinet in order to allow the portable bar to reduce in width in order to allow it to be rolled through a standard size door frame. The base of the portable bar has a lighted work surface, top opening ice storage bin, and a slanted tower for dispensing cold beer or other beverages on tap. The base of the portable bar also has concealed storage for a CO.sub.2 gas bottle, one or more kegs of beer or other beverages, a weight measuring system for indicating the amount of beer or other beverages remaining within each keg, electrical and water supply connections, a refrigeration unit and a liquid waste storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas Nelson
  • Patent number: 5881984
    Abstract: A dimensional adjusting device for computer keyboard racks includes a displacement device, a rotary device, a connecting plate, an elevating device, an elevation device, and a positioning device. A relay plate is disposed between a fixed track and movable track of one of two slide track units, the relay plate being connected to the movable track and having two plate wings at both sides thereof. The plate wings pass through corresponding track holes in the movable track to be further connected to a plate flap at either side of a fixed plate. In addition is further characterized in that the fixed plate has a positioning device disposed therein. The positioning device includes of a bottom cover disposed over a front portion of the fixed plate, and two trigger pieces. The bottom cover has a partition rib defining a clearance with a front wall of the bottom cover for receiving two oppositely disposed rods with a spring sandwiched therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Chin-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 5823368
    Abstract: The display rack has a frame with a top wall and side walls and a cavity therein. The frame contains plural nested shelves that can pulled out of the cavity to an extended position or pushed into the cavity. The nested shelves can individually be nested to allow selective adjustment of the amount of shelf space that is available for use. Each nested shelf has a top wall and side walls. The top walls of the nested shelves and of the frame serve to support products for sale. The nested shelves are slidingly coupled together with drawer guides connected to the side walls. There is also provided a secondary or rear shelf that slides inside and out of the frame. There is also provided a top shelf on top of the frame. Wheeled legs support the rack off of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Marco Display Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade P. Burke, Ray M. Lewis II
  • Patent number: 5809906
    Abstract: A shipping pallet is manufactured from steel plate for the transport of loads which are to be confined on the load-carrying surface without banding the load. The pallet is formed without stringers, instead using a unitized base constructed from multiple sections of channel stock to form a rectangular grid, and welding an imperforate rectangular sheet of steel onto the tops of the channels sections. The sheet of steel reinforces the grid and provides a support surface (deck member) on which locating pins rest. The locating pins are thrust through coaxially aligned perforations in the upper and lower decks of twin-decked deckboards which are slidably adjustable in a pair of C-channels, or, on rails, disposed on opposite sides of the support surface. The locating pins thus confine the load, for example, a stack of sheet metal blanks of arbitrary shape which can be stacked to the height of the locating pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Nikolas Christian Janek
  • Patent number: 5802925
    Abstract: A microscope stage comprising an upper stage and a lower stage provided on a preset microscope and overlapped on each other in a vertical direction, said upper stage being disposed to move in a straight direction with respect to said lower stage, a pair of pulleys disposed on one of said upper stage and said lower stage and arranged with a preset distance in a direction parallel to the movement direction of said upper stage, and an endless driving force transmission member stretched between said pair of pulleys and reciprocally moved between said pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kanao
  • Patent number: 5804932
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a drive system having a simple structure, which is capable of synchronously moving travellers, having high positioning accuracy and reducing the manufacturing cost and operating noise. A pair of guides are provided on a base in a first direction. A pair of travellers are capable of moving in the first direction alongside the guides. A first rotary guide is provided to one of the travellers. A second rotary guide is provided to the other traveller. A first tension member is tensionally engaged with the rotary guides, one end section is extended from the first rotary guide and fixed to the base, the other end is extended from the second rotary guide in the opposite direction and fixed to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Ken Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 5799588
    Abstract: A moveable shelf is provided for a shelf system containing shelves in a stack arrangement mounted to uprights or side walls. The uprights or side walls include one or more shelf support members which support the shelves. One or more of the shelves are movable out from the shelf stack, either by way of a telescoping support member, or otherwise, to permit movement of such shelf or shelves to or past a lower shelf. After an upper shelf or shelves are moved vertically past a lower shelf, the upper shelf or shelves can be moved back into alignment with the lower shelf. In this arrangement, the upper shelf or shelves thereby become positioned below the lower shelf to permits easy access to the upper shelf or shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Zecharya Engel
  • Patent number: 5761960
    Abstract: A motor, a ball screw shaft, etc. are accommodated within a frame that forms an outer frame. Direct-acting guides are provided on both sides of a groove-shaped opening defined in the frame. The ball screw shaft is centrally disposed within the frame. A table slides along the direct-acting guides under the action of rotation of the ball screw shaft. The ball screw shaft has ball-screw splines formed over its entire length and both ends thereof supported by the motor and a bearing. The center of rotation of the ball screw shaft is brought into alignment with the centers of rotation of the motor and the bearing by balls inserted into the ball-screw splines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Toru Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5746402
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for positioning a computer mouse relative to a computer keyboard. The system comprises a keyboard support tray having a support surface and a rear wall. The support surface has a front portion and a rear portion and is adapted to support the keyboard. The keyboard support tray further comprises a slot disposed in the rear wall. The system further comprises a palm rest connected to the front portion of the keyboard support tray. The system further comprises a pointing device positioning member having a support surface, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the pointing device positioning member is slidably disposed upon the palm rest while the second end is slidably engaged within the slot of the keyboard support tray. In operation, an operator may slide the pointing device positioning member to any one of a variety positions above the computer keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Frederic C. Ambrose, David Hawley
  • Patent number: 5746138
    Abstract: There is provided a multi-degree-of-freedom positioning mechanism having a guide shaft and first and second moving members movably mounted on the guide shaft. Each drive is connected with the first and second moving members so as to allow the moving members to travel along the guide shaft. The machanism has a pair of foldably joined equally long links, which are pivotally rotatably engaged with the first and second moving members by first and second couplings. Furthermore, one edge of a table is pivotally rotatably engaged with the joint between the mating links of the foldably joined equally long links, to displaceably support the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Hihaisuto Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Hirose
  • Patent number: 5724893
    Abstract: A shaking table assembly includes a plurality of first linear guides arranged in parallel with each other. A supporting table is slidably mounted on the first linear guides along a longitudinal direction thereof. A plurality of second linear guides are fixedly mounted on a top surface of the supporting table and are arranged in parallel with each other and perpendicular to the plurality of first linear guides. A testing table is slidably mounted on the second linear guides along a longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Taichung Machinery Works Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-jyi Lee, Chao-hsi Cheng, Kelson Z. Y. Yen
  • Patent number: 5720230
    Abstract: A sliding pull-out shelf comprising a shelf board, a shelf bracket with at least one shelf bracket tang, a pair of vertical supports spaced a predetermined distance apart, a pair of telescopic slider mechanisms, a magnet, and a magnetic anchor. Each telescopic slider mechanism attaches each shelf board side to each shelf bracket. Each shelf bracket is secured to each vertical support with the shelf bracket tang which is inserted into the vertical support vertical slots. Each shelf bracket is secured to each vertical support such that the shelf brackets project horizontally and parallel to each other. The magnetic anchor lies in the same plane as the vertical supports and is located midway between the vertical supports. The magnet is attached to the shelf board and contacts the magnetic anchor when the shelf is fully against the vertical supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Shane Mansfield
  • Patent number: 5713244
    Abstract: An orthogonal coordinate type robot comprises a slider and a support frame supporting the slider for movement within a predetermined range along an axis. The support frame has an inner wall surface, at least one hollow portion, and a connecting hole for communicating the hollow portion with the inner wall surface. A suction device evacuates air from the hollow portion of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Ito, Minoru Kikuya, Yoshiyuki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 5697686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable laptop computer cart having a slidable desktop movable between a closed, retracted position and an open position which exposes a hidden bin/storage area underneath. The cart is mounted on casters or wheels for easy movement. Additionally, with the desktop in the retracted position, the bin is completely hidden from view allowing the cart to be utilized as a conventional end table or the like. The laptop computer cart is particularly well adapted for use with a laptop computer cart or video game entertainment system while the user is seated upon a couch or sofa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Bush Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Miller, James M. Holler, James G. Fiala
  • Patent number: 5681116
    Abstract: A sliding track assembly including a track frame secured to a fixed member and defining two substantially C-shaped sliding grooves longitudinally disposed at two opposite sides and being each other, and a sliding frame fixedly secured to a movable member and having two outward flanges at two opposite sides respectively slidably coupled to the sliding grooves of the track frame, wherein two sliding wings are respectively fastened to the two outward flanges of the sliding frame and moved with the sliding frame in the sliding grooves of the track frame, each of the sliding wing having a longitudinal mounting groove at an inner side, which receives one outward flange of the sliding frame, an outward flange at an outer side, two horizontal springy ribs longitudinally disposed at two opposite sides of the outward flange of the respective sliding wing and defining a respective longitudinal slot, and two arched projections respectively and outwardly raised from the horizontal springy ribs and stopped at a vertical si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Chin-Chih Lin