Article Includes Elongated Portion Patents (Class 211/60.1)
  • Patent number: 6935514
    Abstract: A point of purchase display which is modular in design. A point of purchase display for use by a retailer to display ceiling fan downrods of various lengths in a slightly sloping upright position. Compartments for various lengths of downrods are placed side by side and one above the other to maximize use of floor space and for shopper convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: RWL Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lackey, Robert Charles Beckmann
  • Patent number: 6932312
    Abstract: A suspension device for a tool handle has a body (10) with a U-shaped recess (13), and an elastic bracket (20) mounted on the body (10) at two ends in front of the U-shaped recess (13). When the tool handle presses the elastic bracket (20) and the tool handle into the U-shaped recess (13), the tool handle is clamped by the deformed elastic bracket (20) within the U-shaped recess (13). Thereby, the tool handle is directly mounted in the suspension device by simple pressing. Additionally, the body (10) can be detachably mounted on a track assembly to adjust the position of the suspension device and the tool handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Wen-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 6910592
    Abstract: A fishing rod storage device and method for storing and carrying fishing rods such that the rods are held in a stable configuration without allowing the rods to touch each other, thereby avoiding damage during storage or transport. The device includes two racks, each having a paired plurality of holes and slots for accepting the rod tip and handle. The slots are preferably T-shaped. The rod storage rack allows fishing rods to be stored vertically by mounting on a wall or horizontally by mounting on a wall or a ceiling, for example. A retainer cord holds the fishing rods securely in the storage device to prevent accidental displacement during storage. The portable fishing rod storage rack typically includes two elastic cylindrical bodies each having a plurality of indentations or grooves which accept the rod element of the fishing rod and which are made of a plastic foam material that retains as many as about eight fishing rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Lindenmeyer
  • Patent number: 6907999
    Abstract: A storage rack for small articles including an elongated carrier having a bottom wall, side and end walls and an open top. An elongated support bar holder, having a base and upstanding end walls, is dimensioned to be fitted in and be received in the elongated carrier. An elongated support bar extends between the end walls of the support bar holder and is spaced from the base of the support bar holder. The elongated support bar has a transverse cross-section which is non-circular in shape. A number of retainer loops are mounted side by side on the elongated support bar. Each retainer loop is formed of a strip of a tough, resilient, abrasion-resistant resin and has a bight portion and two legs. A passage is formed in each leg near its distal end for mounting the retainer loops on the elongated support bar. Each passage has a shape similar to but slightly larger than the non-circular transverse cross-section of the elongated support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Transilwrap Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Carlin
  • Patent number: 6880709
    Abstract: A rack for holding spray nozzles is formed of a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame is provided with a plurality of legs which are provided in proximity of a bottom end with a plurality of retaining slots. The legs are fitted into the hollow support rods of the bottom frame. The hollow support rods are provided in a bottom end with a foot fitted thereinto. The foot is provided with a plurality of retaining projections, which are retained in the retaining slots of the bottom end of one of the legs of the top frame. The bottom end of the hollow support rods of the bottom frame is sealed off by the foot. The foot also serves to provide the bottom end of the hollow support rods with a frictional contact with a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Shin Tai Spurt Water of the Garden Tools, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6863185
    Abstract: A display apparatus for baseball bats provides a receiver having a plurality of bat support apertures arranged in descending positions from a rear surface of the receiver to a front surface of the receiver. The apertures are accessed from side surfaces of the receiver for inserting and removing baseball bats into the apertures for storage therein. A U-shaped locking bar is hinged distally at the side surfaces of the receiver for vertical rotation between a raised position allowing access to the baseball bats stored in the receiver, and a lowered position preventing access to the bats. The locking bar is therefore positionable along both of the sides of the receiver for blocking the apertures. A lock may be placed for preventing the locking bar from being raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Bill Mele, Gina S. Mele
  • Patent number: 6854606
    Abstract: A rack for storing, moving and displaying rolled flooring materials, such as carpet, carpet remnants and pad, having a frame with a plurality of frame members configured to hold flooring materials in either a vertical or horizontal configuration. The frame has an upper section with a stinger receiving mechanism configured to receive a stinger pole attached to a forklift. The stinger receiving mechanism can comprise a shaped portion of the frame or a shaped member or a tubular member attached to the frame for lifting the frame and its contents. The bottom section of the frame can comprise a prong receiving mechanism configured for receiving the prongs of a forklift. The rack can also include one or more movement guides for moving the rack with the stinger and/or one or more roll support members attached to the frame for displaying rolls of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: David H. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6848587
    Abstract: A rack includes a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame is provided with a plurality of through slots for accommodating the barrels of the pistol-type nozzles. The bottom frame is provided with a plurality of locating slots and locating seats. The locating slots and the locating seats are arranged alternately in rows corresponding in location to the through slots of the top frame. The locating slots are provided with a locating projection, which is fitted into the hose connection hole of the hand grip of the pistol-type nozzles. The locating seats are provided with a recessed portion for resting the control knob of the pistol-type nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Chao
  • Publication number: 20040232095
    Abstract: An article holding apparatus includes a compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end. The apparatus also includes a resilient biasing member contained within the compartment. The biasing member extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Erling W. Johansen
  • Publication number: 20040217075
    Abstract: A point of purchase display which is modular in design. A point of purchase display for use by a retailer to display ceiling fan downrods of various lengths in a slightly sloping upright position. Compartments for various lengths of downrods are placed side by side and one above the other to maximize use of floor space and for shopper convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Robert W. Lackey, Robert Charles Beckmann
  • Publication number: 20040178313
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for holding and organizing articles that provides for easy addition of new holding elements to the system without the need to disturb existing system elements. The system includes holding “clips” that are deployable on the system “rail” by inserting a portion of the clip through a slot in the rail, at substantially any point along the length of the slot. The clip then lockingly engages the rail at substantially any point along the length of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Meir Oren
  • Patent number: 6783101
    Abstract: A boiler tube clamp, for securing boiler tubes in an equal-spaced, parallel arrangement, includes a pair of mating half-clamps having multiple opposed recesses sized to snugly cradle boiler tubes of a given diameter. The half-clamps are brought together around the boiler tubes and either welded or bolted together, thereby aligning the tubes in the desired arrangement. The bolts and/or clamps used to secure together the mating half-clamps of each of the embodiments of the invention are unaffected by downward abrasive action that typically occurs in boilers. For welded-together half-clamps, the welds are on top and bottom surfaces where they are shielded from abrasive action. For bolted-together half-clamps, the bolts are protected from abrasive action by recessing the bolt heads and retaining nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Brook H. Knotts
  • Patent number: 6783013
    Abstract: A dual rail tool holder may be used to store and organize garden and lawn tools with long handles in an inverted position, as well as to store and organize accessories. The tool holder consists of a first rail and a second rail, that are vertically and horizontally offset from each other forming an opening therebetween. Ends of tool handles are inserted in the opening between the rails and are stored in a generally vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Richard N Spann
  • Publication number: 20040155000
    Abstract: A display apparatus for baseball bats provides a receiver having a plurality of bat support apertures arranged in descending positions from a rear surface of the receiver to a front surface of the receiver. The apertures are accessed from side surfaces of the receiver for inserting and removing baseball bats into the apertures for storage therein. A U-shaped locking bar is hinged distally at the side surfaces of the receiver for vertical rotation between a raised position allowing access to the baseball bats stored in the receiver, and a lowered position preventing access to the bats. The locking bar is therefore positionable along both of the sides of the receiver for blocking the apertures. A lock may be placed for preventing the locking bar from being raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Bill Mele, Gina S. Mele
  • Patent number: 6769553
    Abstract: A storage device for storing and organizing various articles adjacent to upstanding walls includes a frame having mounting apertures disposed therein for operably receiving mounting fasteners therethrough so as to removably attach the frame to an upstanding surface. The storage device further includes a plurality of storage apertures disposed therein, which apertures are specifically sized and configured to receive handled implements therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Legacy Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Hurt
  • Patent number: 6763955
    Abstract: A holder for receiving and retailing tools, writing utensils, kitchen utensils and the like elongated articles (42) comprises a housing with an elongated slit (2, 3) for receiving the articles (42). Each slit (2, 3) is defined by a flexible lip (9 to 24) projecting from the respective elongated sides of said slit, and which are adapted to abut both sides of the article(s) in question. The holder comprises several rows of lips (9 to 24) extending substantially in parallel, where the lips are arranged in pairs opposite one another and present a mutually complementary, substantially wavy shape. The crests (25) and troughs (26) of each pair of lips (9 to 24) engage one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Raaco International A/S
    Inventors: Anders Keis, Tore Hermansen
  • Publication number: 20040134868
    Abstract: A rack for storing, moving and displaying rolled flooring materials, such as carpet, carpet remnants and pad, having a frame with a plurality of frame members configured to hold flooring materials in either a vertical or horizontal configuration. The frame has an upper section with a stinger receiving mechanism configured to receive a stinger pole attached to a forklift. The stinger receiving mechanism can comprise a shaped portion of the frame or a shaped member or a tubular member attached to the frame for lifting the frame and its contents. The bottom section of the frame can comprise a prong receiving mechanism configured for receiving the prongs of a forklift. The rack can also include one or more movement guides for moving the rack with the stinger and/or one or more roll support members attached to the frame for displaying rolls of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: David H. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6759012
    Abstract: A pin holder for a microarraying apparatus comprising at least one group of bodies of circular cross-section packed together to form a network of pathways in gaps between the bodies; and an array of pins slidably arranged in the pathways. The pins are held in parallel to each other automatically as a result of the self organized packing of the circular cross-section bodies, which may be spheres, for example ball bearings, or cylindrical, for example needle roller bearings. The pin holder provides for very accurate parallel alignment of the pins, low pin friction, as well as low cost and complexity of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Genetix Limited
    Inventors: James Keith Haslam, John Richard Andrews
  • Patent number: 6752278
    Abstract: A sports equipment storage rack may include a contained storage area and an upper shelf that is connected to a lower shelf by a plurality of risers and sockets. The upper shelf may include one or more hook/holder portions having at least one slot for resting elongate items and at least one hook for hanging items, and the lower shelf may include one or more retaining portions for securing the elongate items in the slots. The contained storage area is located between the upper and the lower shelf and is capable of storing large and numerous objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles W. Craft, David M. Stitchick, Carolee G. Gormley
  • Patent number: 6749591
    Abstract: A pinch clip occluder system for infusion sets includes a housing and a clamp movably disposed within the housing to selectively occlude an infusion set. The pinch clip nests in an adapter placed on an enteral feeding pump such that when the pinch clip occluder is properly position, flow is allowed through the infusion set, but when the pinch clip occluder is not properly positioned in the adapter, flow through the infusion set is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. McNally, Al Halbert
  • Patent number: 6749074
    Abstract: A portable rack for arranging and storing baseball bats, balls, batting hats and related baseball equipment. The storage rack is supported on a wall surface with extensible and pivotal deployable equipment engaging extensions for receiving baseball equipment. Clip assemblies allow for selective attachment and removal from a wall-supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventors: John Hileman, Budd Brothers
  • Publication number: 20040099624
    Abstract: Described is a device that is designed to hold a variety of different articles. The device is comprised of a base element and at lease one clamping components. The clamping components are capable of being repositioned relative to the base element and may be inserted to removed, as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Barbara Hein
  • Patent number: 6732869
    Abstract: A rack is designed to hold a plurality of pistol-type nozzles, each having a barrel which is provided at the top end with a nozzle, and at the bottom end with a connection portion and an adjustment knob. The rack comprises a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame is provided with a plurality of through slots for holding the barrels of the pistol nozzles. The bottom frame is provided with a plurality of locating slots, each having a seat, a locating projection extending from the seat, and a confinement recess. The connection portion and the adjustment knob are located in the locating slot of the bottom frame such that the connection portion is seated on the seat, and that the locating projection is inserted into a center hole of the connection portion, and that the adjustment knob is confined in the confinement recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Chao
  • Patent number: 6702122
    Abstract: A rack for storing unique fork lift extension members. The rack and extension members are designed and arranged in a manner to permit the extension members to be easily positioned on and removed from the tines of a fork lift without manual involvement. The storage rack is constructed of rugged metal to withstand the rigors of the warehouse or loading dock environment. The extension members are also constructed of metal and are fashioned with a unique U-shaped end or heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Frank G. Hopkins, Larry Thornton
  • Patent number: 6695153
    Abstract: A rack is designed to hold a plurality of pistol-type lawn sprinkler nozzles and is formed of a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame is provided with a plurality of through slots for holding the barrels of the pistol-type sprinkler nozzles. The bottom frame is provided with a plurality of locating slots corresponding in location to the through slots of the top frame. Each of the locating slots is provided with a seat, a locating projection extending from the seat, and a confinement portion. The bottom end of the hand grip of the sprinkler nozzles is seated on the seat such that the locating projection is inserted into a center hole of the hand grip. The confinement portion is used to confine the control lever of the sprinkler nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Chao
  • Publication number: 20040007542
    Abstract: A rack for storing unique fork lift extension members. The rack and extension members are designed and arranged in a manner to permit the extension members to be easily positioned on and removed from the tines of a fork lift without manual involvement. The storage rack is constructed of rugged metal to withstand the rigors of the warehouse or loading dock environment. The extension members are also constructed of metal and are fashioned with a unique U-shaped end or heel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Frank G. Hopkins, Larry Thornton
  • Patent number: 6676769
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning a torch for a vertical furnace used in semiconductor processing are disclosed. The apparatus is constructed by two main components of a basket-shaped fixture body and a cleaning bath. The fixture body is formed of cylindrical shape with a top ring, a bottom ring and three support rods connecting the two rings together. The top ring is provided with an outwardly extending flange portion for engaging an opening in a cleaning bath for supporting and suspending the fixture body in the bath. The bottom ring is equipped with a pair of symmetrically positioned, inwardly extending arcuate-shaped flange portions adapted for supporting an edge of a bottom surface of the furnace torch in the cleaning bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: June-Yie Kao, Yie-Min Wu, Ming-Hsun Yang, Chii-Shing Yang
  • Publication number: 20030234230
    Abstract: A display rack for long-handled sprinklers is mainly made up of an upper board having retaining holes disposed thereon, and a base board having holding holes disposed thereon. Said retaining holes thereof, each having arch indented grooves, protrusion edges, and an arc retaining flange disposed thereon to receive a locating section of said long handled sprinkler, can locate upright the upper section of said long-handled sprinkler thereof, while said holding holes, corresponding to said retaining holes thereof, can hold the lower section of said long-handled sprinkler in straight position so as to stably locate said long-handled sprinkler at both upper and lower sections onto said display rack. Said long-handled sprinkler having a sprinkle head disposed at the upper section can be lifted upwards for said sprinkle head to be pointed at the direction as desired before relocated back to said retaining hole for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: YUAN MEI CORP.
    Inventor: King-Yuan Wang
  • Publication number: 20030217981
    Abstract: A display system for fan downrod extensions and similar items which is modular in design and customizable to accept items of varying size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Lackey, Robert Charles Beckmann
  • Patent number: 6640981
    Abstract: A modular test tube rack for assembly with similarly constructed racks comprise a flat rectangular body displaying, in a first position, a series of wells extending from its top wall to its bottom wall and adapt to receive tubes therein. A pair of handles vertically extend at opposite end walls of the body, each handle having a lower portion adapted to tightly engage an extension on each end wall and a hand gripping upper portion. The lower portion has a bottom edge configured to anchor with the top edge of the handle of an underposed similarly constructed rack to thereby enable a stacking of two more of these racks. In one embodiment, the body displays a second series of wells extending from the bottom wall to the top wall whereby the body, when in a second position reversed relative to the first position, may also receive test tubes, the handles being reversably mountable to the end wall extension to still enable a stacking of racks in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: 3088081 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: André Lafond, Yanick Bertin
  • Patent number: 6637595
    Abstract: A cable tie wrap holder system has a plurality of vertically oriented primary tubes in a cylindrical configuration with an open upper end and a closed lower end. A plurality of vertically oriented secondary tubes are in a cylindrical configuration with an open upper end and a closed lower end. The primary tubes are coupled with the secondary tubes to form a tube assembly with the axes of all the tubes parallel with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: William D. Frossard, Suzanne E. Frossard
  • Publication number: 20030178331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf tee holding device. This invention organises the golfers' tees in such a manner as to make the tees available for viewing on the golf bag and affords easy access without delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Debra Rice Roberts
  • Patent number: 6607169
    Abstract: This invention discloses a cable organizer for attachment to an edge of a table and organizing cables for connecting to equipment on a table top. The cable organizer has a base with a cable guide extending at a substantially ninety degree angle for receiving the cables and teeth extending a substantially forty five degree angle. Further provided is a cable retainer releasably mounted to the teeth such that the cable retainer and the teeth form cable-receiving passages for guiding the cables from the cable guide and for arranging the cables for connection to the equipment on the table top. Also provided is a clamp means fixedly attached to the base for attachment to the edge of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Jack Gershfeld
  • Publication number: 20030150965
    Abstract: A candlestick is proposed which can prevent molten wax from sticking to a pin for supporting a candle. A water dish is provided on a shelf of a support stand. A plurality of pins for supporting candles are provided in the water dish at intervals. Water is put in the water dish to such an extent that the pins are almost immersed therein. The stored water spontaneously put out flames of candles stood on the pins and prevents molten wax from sticking to the pins by covering the pins with the candles until they are spontaneously put out by the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Etsuji Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20030116463
    Abstract: Elongate articles such as threaded rod and dowels are displayed for sale in a retail situation by inserting them standing generally vertically in a display device having formed from a molded plastics container where a bottom portion forms a base member molded integrally from a plastics material and lid forms a support grid member also molded from a plastics material and arranged to span the side walls. The bottom wall of the base member has upstanding walls for locating bottom ends of the articles. The lid has various openings across it through which the articles extend. The lid is supplemented by small containers at spaced positions therearound and a post each for receiving and displaying related articles. The lids and bases can be stored and shipped in nested condition and erected simply by snapping the lid onto the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: David Langtry
  • Patent number: 6561363
    Abstract: A display assembly for edible and non-edible objects includes a display base having a display base upper end and a display base lower end and at least one display base wall connecting the display base upper end and the display base lower end. The display assembly also includes at least one rod support integrally mounted to the at least one display base wall. Each rod support includes a rod support upper end, a rod support lower end, and at least one rod support wall connecting the rod support upper end and the rod support lower end. The rod support wall defines a rod support cavity passing through the rod support upper end and the rod support lower end. The display assembly also includes a rod positioned in the rod support cavity. The rod includes a rod end extending from the display base. An object is attached to the rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: MGW Group, inc.
    Inventors: Mary Gwen Willhite, James M. Foxx, Bobby D. Craig
  • Patent number: 6561471
    Abstract: A rod hanger which includes a pair of similarly constructed brackets, each having a mounting plate and a connected generally C-shaped portion connected thereto defining an opening and a complementary latch pivotally connected to one end of the fixed portion to swing between open and closed position. The latch includes a pair of flexible arms provided with opposed outwardly extending flanges and a catch detent formed at the free ends thereof whereby the flanges are arranged to engage in complementary grooves formed in the other end of the C-shaped portion, and the catch detent engaging a transversely extending lip so as to prohibit any unintentional unlatching of the latch. The arrangement is such that the latch is rendered self-locking in the closed position, and rendered readily releasable upon the application of a positive squeezing force on the flexible arms. A resilient liner or cushion secured to the inner surface of the brackets maintains the alignment and protection of a rod, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Robert L. Hawie
  • Patent number: 6555054
    Abstract: A flow-through rack assembly (14) includes porous hangers (44) which support items to be decontaminated within a decontamination chamber (12). A plurality of nozzles (16) spray a decontaminant fluid, such as peracetic acid, over the items. The rack assembly includes tubes (42) which convey a portion of the decontaminant fluid under pressure to internal channels (52) of the porous hangers. The fluid permeates the hanger surface, flowing over regions of the items which are in contact with the hangers. The rack assembly ensures decontamination of those regions which may be otherwise inaccessible to fluid sprayed from the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Jude A. Kral, Richard A. Schieman
  • Patent number: 6534015
    Abstract: A number of racks make up a stack. An upper rack includes releasable catches received into orifices in the next lower rack to releasably attach the two racks to one another. A loader and receptacle cooperate with one another to release the bottommost rack from the stack and deposit it into the receptacle where pipette cones held therein are accessible for use. The bottom rack is placed into the loader where it is held by catches engaging ribs of the rack. The stack of racks with the loader attached is placed onto the receptacle. The stack of racks is pressed downwardly. The downward movement releases the bottom rack from the loader. At the same time, studs projecting up from the bottom of the receptacle engage catches of the second-from-the-bottom rack and free the bottom rack. The bottom rack now rests freely in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gilson, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Viot, Jocelyn Vecchio
  • Patent number: 6530487
    Abstract: A stand stores long-handled garden tools. The tools are removed from the stand to be used. The stand is unusually compact and permits a plurality of garden tools to be stored in close proximity to one another. The distal end of a garden tool is slidably received by a sleeve formed in the stand. The sleeve is shaped to contact the distal end of the tool and maintain the tool in a substantially vertical orientation while permitting the tool to generate a force which forces the stand against the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Berry
  • Publication number: 20030042283
    Abstract: A tool bracket for elongated tools. The tool bracket includes a mounting base having a mechanism for attaching to an external structure, a forked tool holder rotatably coupled to the mounting base and having pair of interconnected tines projecting from a neck portion, and a resilient biasing member coupled between the mounting base and the forked tool holder for urging relative rotation between the forked tool holder and the mounting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 6523704
    Abstract: A tool storage apparatus and method of manufacture thereof is provided. Tubular extensions allow storage of tools designed for connection with tubes or cylindrical members. Tubular extensions are connected at an acute angle to a base. The positioning of the tubular extension can minimize the space required for storage. For use with swimming pool maintenance tools, space efficiency can be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Robert W. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20030024891
    Abstract: A holder for releasedly retaining a sharps instrument repeatedly used during a medical procedure. The holder has a support component to support the sharps instrument and a guard component to isolate a sharp tip of the instrument and thereby prevent an inadvertent invasive contact to a care provider. Preferably, at least a portion of the support component is generally complimentary in shape to the sharps instrument, and non-limitedly can be chosen from a generally U-shape cradle or a diametrically diminishing hollow tube wherein the instrument is accommodated during retention. Guard component choices non-limitedly include a replaceable non-coreable wall penetrable by a sharp tip and situated to accept a sharp tip when the sharps instrument is stored, or a holder-housing portion disposed distally from and proximate the instrument support component and within which the sharp tip resides when the instrument is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Richard B. Diamond
  • Patent number: 6510953
    Abstract: The rack is formed by spaced apart upper and lower rack members with a plurality of spaced apart slots formed in the upper member from a front edge and a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed in the lower member with each aperture aligned with a portion of an associated slot. Each slot has an entrance leading to a neck which extends to a bend. The bend leads to a closed end spaced inward from the upper member edge and which is located laterally from the entrance with the distance between the upper member front edge and the closed end being less that the distance between the upper member front edge and the bend. An elastic cord extends across the neck of each slot inward from and parallel to the edge of the upper member at about the position of the closed ends of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: James C. Daniels
  • Publication number: 20030015485
    Abstract: A molded plastic garment hanger as is widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments, comprising a unitary plastic central hook and arms extending in opposite directions from the base of the central hook to facilitate a garment to be suspended therefrom by garment clips. The garment clips enable the attachment of various kinds of garments thereto, such as underwear, slips, brassieres, swimwear and the like, and are particularly adapted to secure the shoulder straps of such garments. The garment hanger has an improved garment retaining clip wherein as a garment strap is inserted into the garment retaining clip, the garment receiving channel of the clip first opens to allow the garment strap to enter, and then closes to securely retain the garment and to prevent it from becoming accidentally dislodged therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley F. Gouldson
  • Publication number: 20030015444
    Abstract: A needle magazine for storing and selectively dispensing a plurality of needle assemblies is comprised of a modules that are located adjacent each other and connected together side-by-side. The modules may be box shaped and provided on one side surface with a pin. A side opposite the side surface having the pin has a pin-receiving hole in which the pin of an adjacent module is secured. This allows an individual user to customize the capacity of the magazine based on the user's individual needs by joining as many or as few modules as needed. In some embodiments, a peg is used to secure the modules together. Each module may have a channel that accommodates the peg, thereby allowing a user to arrange the modules side-by-side and secure them with the peg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Anders Molin, Henning Jakobsen, Lars Stenholt
  • Patent number: 6508369
    Abstract: A display stand for use with sprinkler nozzles has a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame has multiple retainers detachably mounted in through holes defined in the top frame, and the bottom frame has multiple blind holes adapted to accommodate handles of the sprinkler, such that the sprinklers are able to be transported and displayed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Tzu-Meng Wang
  • Publication number: 20020168300
    Abstract: A system for the automated storing or dispensing of one or more stacks of stackable goods is provided. The system comprises at least one pick-up site at which one or more stacks of stackable goods may be stationed, and at least one delivery site at which one or more stacks of stackable goods may be stationed. The system also includes a robotic pick-up means for securing and releasing one of the stackable goods, and movement means for moving the pick-up means into position to retrieve or deposit one of the stackable goods at a desired pick-up or delivery site. A control system is provided which can activate the pick-up means and the movement means, and is programmed to be operable to systematically move the stacks of stackable goods between the one or more pick-up sites and the one or more delivery sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: A. Mark Bramwell, James Happ, Peter Michael Lind, Douglas Murray
  • Publication number: 20020162811
    Abstract: The rack is formed by spaced apart upper and lower rack members with a plurality of spaced apart slots formed in the upper member from a front edge and a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed in the lower member with each aperture aligned with a portion of an associated slot. Each slot has an entrance leading to a neck which extends to a bend. The bend leads to a closed end spaced inward from the upper member edge and which is located laterally from the entrance with the distance between the upper member front edge and the closed end being less that the distance between the upper member front edge and the bend. An elastic cord extends across the neck of each slot inward from and parallel to the edge of the upper member at about the position of the closed ends of the slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: James C. Daniels
  • Patent number: 6474481
    Abstract: A flexible tool stage device is provided. The flexible tool storage device includes a storage body wich has multiple circular recesses. An insert opening is defined inside of each circular recess, thus a cylindrical constraint tube body is defined between each circular recess and the insert opening corresponding thereto. Each constraint tube body having an internal diameter slightly less than a diameter of an excircle of a shank of a working portion of a tool to be inserted. Each constraint tube body has multiple slots defined along a longitudinal direction thereof and equally distributed thereon. When a tool is inserted through the insert opening, the diameter of the insert opening of the cylindrical constraint body will be enlarged and then a recovery force from the cylindrical constraint body will be urged to stably retain the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Yung-Yuan Liu