Lazy-tong Construction Patents (Class 211/202)
  • Patent number: 11884099
    Abstract: Bend members making up a variable shape structure each have a central coupling point, a one-end coupling point, and an other-end coupling point that are arranged so as to form a V shape with a fixed bend angle. A central coupling point of the first bend member and a central coupling point of the second bend member are pivotally coupled together. A central coupling point of the third bend member and a central coupling point of the fourth bend member are pivotally coupled together. A one-end coupling point of the first bend member and a one-end coupling point of the third bend member are pivotally coupled together. A one-end coupling point of the second bend member and a one-end coupling point of the fourth bend member are pivotally coupled together. The first, the second, the third, and the fourth bend members are of the same shape and the same size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIMIYASEISAKUSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Norimichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 11583071
    Abstract: A foldable shelf convenient to transport and assemble, including at least two storage members and vertical rods installed on two sides of the storage members, where the vertical rods each includes a fixed rod relatively fixed to one side of the bottom storage member and at least one folding rod; a lower end of one folding rod adjacent to the fixed rod is hinged to an upper end of the fixed rod; the storage member at the bottom is disposed on an inner side of the fixed rod, two sides of each of other storage members are fixedly connected to sliding blocks, and the sliding blocks each sleeve the vertical rod and are capable of sliding along the fixed rod on the vertical rod and the folding rod; and a fastening device is disposed between the sliding block and the folding rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Xin Cao
  • Patent number: 11464329
    Abstract: A luggage rack extender includes a frame assembly, an extender assembly, and a folding assembly. The frame assembly includes a cross shaped frame with an operative top end. The extender assembly includes an outer rod mounted on the operative top end with an inner bar extending normally from opposing distal ends of the outer rod. The folding assembly includes a first outer bar and a second outer bar that are operatively engaged adjacently to the inner bars of the extender assembly. The extender assembly is slidably actuated from the folding assembly to enable an extended frame configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Elizabeth Levy, David Toledano, Aholeab Toledano
  • Patent number: 10092095
    Abstract: A collapsible shoe rack may include a plurality of shoe retaining members with two parallel side arms integrated with a horizontal arm as a single piece, and a plurality of connecting members with two parallel side arms and a horizontal arm. In one embodiment, the shoe retaining members are arranged in a reverse U-shaped manner in the shoe rack, and each of the shoe retaining members is connected with the connecting member. A locking member is disposed at the base of the shoe rack and pivotally connected to the base at one end, and the connecting member at the other end. The locking unit is configured to lock the entire structure of shoe rack to prevent it from collapsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: IP Power Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Shou Qiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9765470
    Abstract: The clothes drying rack is a collapsible rack adapted for use in drying apparel and textiles. The clothes drying rack has a reinforced top structure and bottom structure to support heavy loads. The top structure further comprises a plurality of clothes hooks to further enhance the capacity of the clothes drying rack. When not in use, the clothes drying rack can be collapsed into a smaller form factor for storage. The clothes drying rack comprises a top structure, a bottom structure, and a plurality of scissor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Marie Dufresne
  • Patent number: 9668600
    Abstract: A multi-level serving tray carrier is disclosed providing a means of transporting food trays as well as a means of providing a service if such food. The tray carrier, although capable of transporting and providing service access from multiple food trays, only requires an area of counter space ordinarily consumed by a single food tray. The tray carrier opens in such a manner as to provide access to all levels of food trays carried thereby while simultaneously providing great stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Ka Wai Lau
  • Patent number: 9220338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable table mechanism that is convenient to transport. The foldable table mechanism includes table tops and a foldable mechanism. The foldable mechanism includes at least one shelve unit and a plurality of support legs. The support legs include a plurality of movable units. The movable units are pivotably connected. The shelve unit is disposed between the table tops. The shelve unit is movably connected to the movable units. The support legs support and secure the table tops at an open position and are stored between the table tops at a folded position. The present invention is simple in structure, foldable and flexible to use, convenient to carry and transport, thus suitable to use in small space, such as in household setting, small food service areas, and also suitable to use for outdoor activities because it is easy to transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Shanghai Kunjek Handtools and Hardware Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hao Wen
  • Patent number: 8899536
    Abstract: A folding joint mechanism for stackably collapsing elongated structural sections includes a plurality of substantially identical brackets pivotably interconnected and rotatable between an extended and a stowed configuration. In the extended configuration, the brackets abut each other against stop protrusions on the top outside surface of each bracket forming foldable extensions that are able to support significant weight by distributing the top. side force. In the stowed configuration, the brackets are compacted to a substantially stacked disposition whereby the brackets are aligned and directly adjacent to one another. The joint and bracket assemblies may be employed in elongated sections of various structures in which compactability may be advantageous for shipping, storage, and user transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin Ashpole
  • Patent number: 8833711
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a rack to a floor includes a bracket. The bracket includes a rack-mounting surface having at least one pair of rack-mounting openings for mounting the bracket to the rack, and a floor-mounting surface extending from the rack-mounting surface. The floor-mounting surface has at least three pairs of floor-mounting openings for mounting the bracket to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventor: Robert L. Fritz
  • Patent number: 8622488
    Abstract: A vertically retractable shelf system comprises a shelf frame and a track assembly. The shelf frame comprises a rectangular frame. The track assembly comprises a roller slide assembly, disposed on the left and right sides of the shelf frame, to allow the shelf frame to slide vertically along the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ronnie Kilby, Cindy Kilby
  • Patent number: 8453852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes drying rack consisting of two separate rectangular racks which are mounted against the wall to form a mountain fold configuration, but can be folded flat against the wall for storage when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Douglas Lowell Raddatz
  • Patent number: 8100274
    Abstract: A clothes airer with a number of pairs of pivotally connected pairs of frames 1. The pairs of frames are pivotally connected to each other at their free ends and to legs 5. One frame of each pair is pivotally connected to one or more legs 5 and the other is pivotally connected to one or more fittings 7 slidably mounted on respective legs 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Vale Mill (Rochdale) Limited
    Inventors: Dan Trowsdale, Tom Hirst
  • Publication number: 20110174754
    Abstract: A collapsible storage rack includes multiple rack members and a linkage assembly. At least one of the rack members includes a laterally extending body and a storage element that projects in a forward direction from the body. The rack members are shiftable along an upright extension direction and are shiftable relative to each other into and out of a collapsed condition. The linkage assembly shiftably interconnects the rack members and permits shifting movement of the rack members into and out of the collapsed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: NEXT INNING, INC.
    Inventor: Michael L. Entz
  • Patent number: 7172081
    Abstract: A folding frame construction for use as a clothers airer or drier comprises at least a first pair of U-shaped frames (10, 12) which are pivotally interconnected for folding about a first axis and which form the lowermost tier when in use, and a second pair of U-shaped frames (14, 16) which are pivotally interconnected for folding about a second axis generally parallel to the first axis and are pivotally connected to respective frames (10, 12) of the first pair so as to form a second tier during use, each frame (10, 12, 14, 16) comprising a pair of spaced side limbs (22) and the pivotal connections being made between the side limbs (22) of the various frames (10, 12, 14, 16) in such a way that the pairs of frames are in substantially parallel relation with each other when the frame construction is in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Vale Mill (Rochdale) Limited
    Inventor: Darren Brian Trowsdale
  • Patent number: 7090176
    Abstract: A support for high-voltage or medium-voltage electrical plant comprises four columns placed on a support surface and connected in pairs by crossmember assemblies. The columns are each articulated to rotate about a first horizontal axis at their end resting on the support surface and about a second horizontal axis on a top crossmember at their other end. The first and second axes are parallel. Two opposite crossmember assemblies allow the two columns connected by one or the other of these two assemblies to move in a stable manner in their rotation plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Michel Chavot, Jean Louis Habert
  • Patent number: 6932227
    Abstract: A laundry stand having a plurality of sleeve connectors, a plurality of elongated members, and plurality of crossrods with end connectors thereon. The sleeve connectors include an enlarged head portion, a hollow body portion defining a central bore, and a end portion having a greater diameter than the hollow body portion. The sleeve connector further defines a slot in the tail portion for allowing the end portion to resiliently deflect inwardly to fit within a bore of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the hollow body portion. The sleeve connectors each also include an inwardly formed resilient tab used to maintain end connectors within the sleeve connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Whitney Design, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Glenn
  • Publication number: 20040173553
    Abstract: A collapsible laundry rack is provided that can be formed from a pair of collapsible legs and a plurality of cross members extending between the legs. A connector is provided between the cross members and the legs to secure the cross members relative to the legs. The connector is configured to allow for sequential assembly and disassembly of the cross members relative to the legs in order to simply assembly and disassembly operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: La-La Imports, LP
    Inventor: Xiangming Li
  • Publication number: 20040104190
    Abstract: A folding frame construction for use as a clothers airer or drier comprises at least a first pair of U-shaped frames (10, 12) which are pivotally interconnected for folding about a first axis and which form the lowermost tier when in use, and a second pair of U-shaped frames (14, 16) which are pivotally interconnected for folding about a second axis generally parallel to the first axis and are pivotally connected to respective frames (10, 12) of the first pair so as to form a second tier during use, each frame (10, 12, 14, 16) comprising a pair of spaced side limbs (22) and the pivotal connections being made between the side limbs (22) of the various frames (10, 12, 14, 16) in such a way that the pairs of frames are in substantially parallel relation with each other when the frame construction is in the storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Darren Brian Trowsdale
  • Publication number: 20040074858
    Abstract: A collapsible clothes drying rack, including X-shaped collapsible frames and a plurality of rods extending between the collapsible frames. A clip has a head with annularly spaced fingers extending through aligned holes in pivotally connected frame arms. The fingers of each clip define an annular inner space and a generally annular outer surface area. The fingers have a radially extending shoulder surface which is spaced from the head a distance equal to the combined thickness of the pivotally connected arms. Rod ends extend into the space between the clip fingers. Locking arms are similarly pivotally secured on one end to one of the rods and include an open slot at the other end for releasably receiving another of the rods. Clamps slide over the other ends of the locking arms to cover the open slot, with hooks extending from the clamps. A removable drying support surface is provided with connectors on the corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: HOME PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael C. Thuma, Carla DeYoung, Larry Hauser, Thomas Welsh
  • Patent number: 6637608
    Abstract: A freestanding frame for supporting shelves that includes a pair of posts that extend upwardly from a carpeted horizontal surface and rest against a wall, and a pair of braces that extend from one post to the other post in an X configuration. Each post has an uppermost vertical member that rests against the wall, a horizontal member that extends forwardly from the uppermost vertical member, and a lowermost vertical member that depends from the horizontal member and sinks into the carpeted horizontal surface so as to prevent the post from sliding away from the wall while resting thereon. Each brace is either one piece or two-piece so as to be length adjustable. In a first embodiment, the two pieces are screwed together, and in a second embodiment, the two pieces slide relative to each other and are maintained at a desired length by first and second locking apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Wallace Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030080073
    Abstract: A shelf device includes two or more lazy tong constructions each having a number of links pivotally coupled together with pivot pins, and one or more rods coupled between the lazy tong constructions, for coupling the lazy tong constructions together and for allowing the lazy tong constructions to be folded and expanded in concert with each other. The links may include different lengths, and may be coupled together to various shapes for supporting CDs or bottles or the other objects. One or more hooks or rings or loops may be secured to the rods for hanging purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Tso Chi Huang, Yu Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 6427858
    Abstract: A laundry drying rack has an elongate member having an opening. The laundry drying rack further has a connecting rod having a connecting rod distal end. In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry drying rack is further provided with an end connector having a resilient pronged end and a post end. A tubular coupling is further provided having a coupling distal end, an opposing coupling proximal end, and an internal ridge formed circumferentially therein. The coupling proximal end receives the connecting rod distal end. The coupling distal end receives the resilient pronged end which the internal ridge for rotatable engagement of the tubular coupling thereabout. In another embodiment of present invention, the laundry drying rack further has a cylindrical connector which has an external groove which engages an elastic retaining ring for connecting the elongate leg member and the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Pro-Mart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Azad Sabounjian
  • Patent number: 6394292
    Abstract: A stand for supporting laundry includes a pair of oppositely disposed legs which are interconnected by one or more connecting rods. The legs are constructed of scissor linkages which allow the legs to be readily folded and unfolded, and cross members may be used to hold the legs in an open position. Advantageously, the laundry stand uses connectors which pivotably attach the scissor linkages and allow the connecting rods to connect the legs. In particular, the connectors have a first end configured to be fastened to the connecting rod and a second end configured to be inserted through an opening in one or both of the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Pro-Mart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Azad Sabounjian
  • Patent number: 6283314
    Abstract: An expandable structure adapted to convert from a collapsed position to an expanded position, wherein a plurality of parallel rods are mounted to pivotally interconnected links, each of which has a plurality of bores asymmetrically spaced from one another. The structure in its collapsed position is generally flat and can be conveniently stored. The structure can be expanded into an arch-shaped structure. The structure can be used as a portable drying rack, or may be used in other product applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Loguercio
  • Publication number: 20010001199
    Abstract: A laundry drying rack has an elongate leg member having an opening. The laundry drying rack further has a connecting rod having a connecting rod distal end. In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry drying rack is further provided with an end connector having a resilient pronged end and a post end. A tubular coupling is further provided having a coupling distal end, an opposing coupling proximal end, and an internal ridge formed circumferentially therein. The coupling proximal end receives the connecting rod distal end. The coupling distal end receives the resilient pronged end which the internal ridge for rotatable engagement of the tubular coupling thereabout. In another embodiment of present invention, the laundry drying rack further has a cylindrical connector which has an external groove which engages an elastic retaining ring for connecting the elongate leg member and the connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Inventor: Azad Sabounjian
  • Patent number: 5868928
    Abstract: A microbial sampling, filtration, and recovery device which utilizes a wash solution on meat carcasses and a vacuum source to vacuum the wash solution and suspended microbes into a collection device. The collection device includes pre-filters for removing debris, and a microbial filter. The filter is small enough to filter out bacteria, and since this size of filter seriously reduces air flow, an alternate route for air is provided through a hydrophobic filter. Bacteria captured on the filter is back-flushed into a collection vessel where it is concentrated in a subsequent centrifuge step. The concentrated microbial sample is available for use in rapid detection methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce J. Bradley
  • Patent number: 5848498
    Abstract: A casket display structure has a back wall and wing walls that are removably-attached to the back wall to form an alcove. A double-tiered display rack is mounted between the wing walls. The display structure includes a lower casket rollout rack connected to the fixed double-tiered rack by a scissors unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lajos L. Szabo, Sr., Lajos L. Szabo, Jr., Alton F. Doody, Dennis J. Riga
  • Patent number: 5709052
    Abstract: A casket display structure has a back wall and wing walls that are removably-attached to the back wall to form an alcove. A double-tiered display rack is mounted between the wing walls. The display structure includes a lower casket rollout rack connected to the fixed double-tiered rack by a scissors unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lajos L. Szabo, Sr., Lajos L. Szabo, Jr., Alton F. Doody, Dennis J. Riga
  • Patent number: 5492237
    Abstract: A multiple article drying rack includes a base assembly and a plurality of upright posts, a central rod, and a plurality of fingers mounted on the base assembly. The base assembly includes pairs of end support members, a pair of middle support members, and rotary connectors defining substantially parallel rotational axes and pivotally coupling the end support members together, the end support members and middle support members together and the middle support members together so as to define the base assembly as at least a pair of parallelogram structures convertible between erected and collapsed conditions. The upright posts are mounted at lower ends on respective ones of the rotary connectors and extend upwardly therefrom along the rotational axes thereof so as to receive and hold articles, such as baby bottles, in inverted orientations over upper ends of the upright posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Kil J. Chang
  • Patent number: 5330066
    Abstract: A frame device for supporting objects such as batteries and the like during seismic stress comprising two vertical frame members formed in a G shaped cross section. The frame has an inside face facing the other of the pair, a front face extending perpendicularly to an outside face. A back face extends from the inside face for part of the distance to the outside face. It also includes a top horizontal cross member formed in a C shaped cross section and having horizontally extending tab portions at each terminal end. The inside faces of horizontal members have slots passing one end of the top cross member through each inside face. The outside faces of the horizontal members have notches to receive the tabs of the top cross member to attach it to the vertical frame member. A bottom horizontal cross member is formed in a C shaped cross section, having a bottom face across the width of the top cross member with its bottom face having a slot and groove proximate each terminal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Kim Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph W. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5033758
    Abstract: A compressible carrier wherein the carrier may be compressed or expanded in all three possible axial directions. The present invention provides a cart whose interior volume may be adjusted in three dimensions to accommodate variously shaped and sized items. The carrier may be altered axially both manually and by motors, both of which are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Isy R. Levy
  • Patent number: 4828123
    Abstract: A collapsible clothes drying rack that operates on the "lazy tong" principle has four extended upper amrs supporting two opposed, parallel rods that are spaced apart approximately twice as far as the two upper, outside rods are spaced in a conventional collapsible clothes dryer. A mesh support member is provided with means at opposite ends thereof for attaching the mesh member to the parallel, spaced apart rods at the top of the four extended arms of the collapsible clothes drying rack, for use, among other things, in the drying of seaters. The collapsible rack includes a pair of foldable and extendable lazy tong linkages with a plurality of clothes supporting rods extending between and pivotally secured to the lazy tong linkages. Wooden clothes supporting rods sheathed in plastic are secured to the folding arms of the lazy tong linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Lear Siegler Seymour Corp.
    Inventor: Charles W. Basore
  • Patent number: 4628560
    Abstract: A transportable pantograph truss bridge structure. The pantograph truss is in the form of an inverted triangle with deck sections incorporating gratings utilized as parallel tracks for wheeled vehicles. The bridge is suitable for rapid deployment in military applications and is portable on a wheeled trailer including erecting masts, cables, and winches. The pantograph truss is formed of sealed tubular elements, so as to be neutrally buoyant. The deck panels are formed in sections with grating formed of metal or of resin impregnated Fiberglas, carbon filaments or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Fastspan, Inc.
    Inventors: Merton L. Clevett, Robert H. Lowdermilk, John K. Bright, Clifford S. Coulter, Tommy W. Melton
  • Patent number: 4497413
    Abstract: A pivot joint is comprised of a pair of superposed elongated plastic members having through-open barrels of different sizes, one in the other, and a plastic pin with a button on a reduced portion extending through the combined barrels and securing all three members together in a pivot relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Inventor: Richard M. Tocci
  • Patent number: 4364480
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a glass stand for supporting a plurality of glasses with bottoms upward. The glass stand comprises a plurality of connecting members which are pivotably overlappingly connected with one another to form a pantagraph-shaped body. The pantagraph-shaped body are provided with a plurality of vertical bars for supporting the glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Cho-Jirushi Plastics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mutsuyuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 4297795
    Abstract: A portable drying rack is provided which comprises frames of unitary construction for hanging articles and support members for supporting the rack in an upright position. The support members are pivotably attached to the frames to permit the drying rack to be collapsed for storage. The pivotable attachment between the frames and support members is accomplished by means also of unitary construction. The unitary construction employed throughout the present invention allows a light-weight drying rack to be formed utilizing inexpensive injection molded plastic. Additionally, because of the unitary construction, the number of components forming the rack is decreased over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Inventor: Vito Licari
  • Patent number: 4236542
    Abstract: A rotatable fastener for holding a workpiece includes a plurality of arm members each pivotally coupled to at least two others of the arm members for scissoring movement, at least two grips situated at extremities of the arm members, and at least one tension spring coupled to the arm members for biasing the grips inwardly towards each other, thereby forcing the grips to engage the workpiece and hold same. The arm members are pivotally mounted to a rotating hub having drive posts for rotating the arm members and the grips include fingers extending angularly from a base portion thereof for receiving workpieces of various shapes, sizes, and thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: National Printing Plate Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Fishburn
  • Patent number: 4131205
    Abstract: The novel rack has a first pair of generally inverted U-shaped rigid members so arranged that one member has its legs disposed within and pivotally joined to the corresponding legs of the other near the mid-points thereof. A second pair of generally inverted U-shaped rigid members substantially identical to the first pair and disposed and pivotally joined to one another in a manner substantially identical to the first pair is positioned atop the first pair. The free ends of the legs of the second pair are pivotally connected to the legs of the first pair where the legs of the first pair join the bights. Rigid bracing means are provided which releasably interconnect the two members of said first pair and releasably lock it into non-collapsed condition. Plastic cord means are threaded into the bracing means and the rigid members to allow articles such as drying clothes, to be supported therefrom when the rack is in its non-collapsed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: General Home Products Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander J. Malecki
  • Patent number: 4022325
    Abstract: A collapsible rack is disclosed which comprises a plurality of partition members which are pivotally joined together at their bases with linking members to form an expandable lazy tong structure. A plurality of guide means which are each secured to and integral with the linking members are provided for guiding stacks of sheets placed in the rack. The guide means define slanted guide surfaces which extend between the bases of adjacent partition members. The guide surfaces all have a substantially common orientation on the linking members. The guide means also serve the function of improving the rigidity of the structure, defining back-up surfaces that insure the proper support of the sheets and fan the sheets into oblique relationship with each other enabling convenient removal of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Swingline, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Barrett, Stephen J. Failla
  • Patent number: 4005840
    Abstract: An adjustable, compact and foldable rest for supporting both arms primarily upon a seated person's knees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Inventor: John M. Ratkovich
  • Patent number: RE31565
    Abstract: A collapsible shelter structure having a pair of collapsible frame members disposed at opposed ends thereof for supporting panel means which extend therebetween, wherein the collapsible frame means include a braced lazy-tong structure which is designed to maintain the frames in erect disposition, and wherein bracing strut means are pivotally coupled to alternate outer apices of the lazy-tong structure for rendering the frame means both stable and rigid. To further enhance rigidity of the erect structure, the inner apices are normally formed as a straight angle when the shelter structure is in erect form, with these inner apices forming a series of spaced points along a semicircle of fixed radius. The collapsible shelter means may be taken down and stored in collapsed form when desired, with generally rigid or durable base side panels being provided to protect the structure from inadvertent damage during use and during storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Rupp Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan J. Beaulieu