Foldable Or Collapsible Patents (Class 211/85)
  • Patent number: 11464330
    Abstract: A storage rack for articles such as shoes and the like, comprising a left frame and an opposed right frame, with each frame including at least one side rail; a front support bar that engages a side rail of the left frame and the right frame; a rear support bar that engages a side rail of the left frame and the right frame; wherein the front side rail comprises a hinge that engages the side rail and permitting movement of the front side rail from a first position to a second position relative to the side rail, which remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Whitmor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy Felsenthal, James Tabujara
  • Patent number: 10758082
    Abstract: A trivet system comprises a first trivet and a second trivet coupled to the first trivet. The first trivet and the second trivet are moveable relative to one another between a position in which the second trivet is disposed within a perimeter of the first trivet, and a position in which the second trivet is disposed outside a perimeter of the first trivet. There may also be a third trivet coupled to the second trivet. The second trivet and the third trivet are movable relative to one another between a position in which the third trivet is disposed within a perimeter of the second trivet, and a position in which the third trivet is disposed outside a perimeter of the second trivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Bruce Ian Bazley
  • Patent number: 9440573
    Abstract: A cup holder assembly includes a pair of planar bodies each defining a rim, and a pair of fabric pouches that are each attached to one of the rims. The planar bodies are pivotably attached to each other and are configured such that, in a folded position, the rims are stacked and the fabric pouches are nested within each other, and in a deployed position, the rims and fabric pouches are side-by-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Dunham, Kathleen M. Parlow, John Louis Miklas
  • Publication number: 20150083679
    Abstract: A rack for holding a plurality of crates includes a plurality of vertically-spaced support surfaces. Each support surface is configured to support a crate and may be an arm extending from a vertical support. The arms may be arranged in pairs so that each pair of support surfaces supports one crate. The arms may be retractable so that the rack can be collapsed after the crates have been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Ryan C. Meers
  • Publication number: 20140377042
    Abstract: A system that can be assembled at a well drilling or other site for storing bulk material such as sand includes a plurality of storage bins configured as trailers, a skid that includes a lower conveyor, a bucket elevator and a top conveyor system. At the site, the bins and the elevator are vertically oriented and stood on the skid, resulting in discharge outlets on the bins becoming positioned over the lower conveyor. The top conveyor is installed on top of the bins. In operation, the elevator lifts the material and discharges it onto the top conveyor system. The top conveyor system discharges the material into the bins for storage. The stored material is controllably discharged from the discharge outlets of the bins onto the lower conveyor from which the material is conveyed to one end of the skid for transport to a new location or directly into a blender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jim McMahon
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140246392
    Abstract: A foldable caddy is usable to store containers, for example condiment bottles, in an inverted orientation. In this manner, speed of dispensing is improved and waste is reduced. The caddy is foldable via a scissoring movement to open for use and to close for storage or transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SalMac Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Glenn McClain
  • Publication number: 20140217043
    Abstract: A support rack for holding a plurality of pans includes a first side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member, and a second side frame including a first vertical support member and a second vertical support member. A hinge assembly couples the first and second side frames and is operable to position the rack in a first position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart, a second position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are nonparallel, and a third position in which the first side frame and the second side frame are parallel but closer in proximity than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Arturo Gonzalez, Steven M. Kessell, Michael D. Potter, Jerry Vance Foster, III
  • Patent number: 8544653
    Abstract: A storage frame for tool rack assemblies has a box and multiple rack holders. The rack holders are held between two holding bars in the box. Each rack holder has a board and two clamping devices for holding multiple tool rack assemblies on the board. Each clamping device has a front clamping element and a rear clamping element mounted respectively on two surfaces of the board and connected to each other. The front clamping element has a clamping bar and multiple clamping protrusions formed on and protrude from the clamping bar at a side facing the other clamping bar and are parallel with each other. Accordingly, multiple tool rack assemblies can be held and displayed in the box at a stand condition regularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Ju-Chien Kao
  • Patent number: 8430250
    Abstract: A friction lock adaptable spacer configured to provide suitable separation between two or more objects. The spacer may be used during the storage, transport, display, and/or use of the objects to separate them and protect them from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the spacer is designed to maintain a suitable separation between two or more beverage containers. The spacer has a single piece construction, which reduces assembly and disassembly labor, and also reduces materials required for construction and disposal. The spacer may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventor: Austin M. Given
  • Publication number: 20130048586
    Abstract: An expandable framework, with attachable plant-support trays, is provided for installation within an interior window frame. One embodiment of the framework is expandable to a fixable height in a vertical direction and expandable in a horizontal direction via upper and lower telescoping tube pairs to accommodate a range of common window sizes. A pair of spacer sticks are provided, which can be cut to appropriate lengths so that one spacer stick and an associated coil spring can be inserted within each telescoping tube pair so that the frame assembly can be biased against opposed vertical portions of the window frame in the interior of a building. A plurality of tray support arms, each of which has a square aperture or receptacle, can be rotationally locked onto each telescoping tube pair for the support of at least one plant support tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: William Scott Pixler
  • Patent number: 8181797
    Abstract: An outdoor storage rack includes a set of supports mounted to a base through a respective hinge assembly such that said rack is movable between an extended and a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Neil Edwards, Beth Tinsley, Courtnee Mullins
  • Patent number: 8113352
    Abstract: A storage frame for tool rack packages has two side walls and a middle wall arranged between the side walls. Each side wall has two side bars and a side board connecting the side bars. Each side bar has multiple side mounts respectively corresponding to the side mounts of the other side bar. Each side mount has two side tabs and a side gap defined between the side tabs. The middle wall has two middle bars and a middle board connecting the middle bars. Each middle bar has multiple middle mounts respectively mounted on two side surfaces of the middle bar and respectively corresponding to the middle mounts of the other middle bar and respectively corresponding to the side mounts of the side bars. Each middle mount has two middle tabs and a middle gap defined between the middle tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Jui-Chien Kao
  • Patent number: 7896172
    Abstract: A compactable display is presented using a compactable pusher system constructed from folded sheet material using an elastic band as a biasing element. A unique polygon construction is described for generating increased tension on an elastic band as the polygon is compressed to generate forward biasing of objects in the compactable display. Construction and assembly of the unit is described with a two part construction that is held together by the elastic band using easily accessible connection points for quick assembly with additional access apertures provided for removal of the elastic band for easy disassembly of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas F. Hester
  • Patent number: 7867444
    Abstract: A compressible and expandable sample tube holder includes a housing with a plurality of adjacent section members, movable toward and away from each other. Biasing members normally maintain the section members in an expanded condition. In the compressed condition the spacing between section members is reduced. A sample tube breakage detector includes slidable plungers having a protracted position that corresponds to a broken sample tube and a retracted position that corresponds to an unbroken sample tube in the sample tube holder. A detector compares the plunger positions before and after centrifuge spin to detect any broken sample tubes in the sample tube holder. A gripper device for the sample tube holder includes a lifting probe and a stabilizer to stabilize the sample tube holder during lifting. The gripper device and breakage detector are raised and lowered by a raising and lowering device having first and second telescoping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dietmar Testrut, Lutz Doms, Christian Rehm
  • Patent number: 7723646
    Abstract: A joint device for providing hinged movement between a first and second arm member and for providing independent delivery of electrical power to the arm members, wherein said device includes a central portion for receiving at least two sets of electrical conductors and for delivering said at least one set of electrical conductors to each of said arm members, characterised in that upon hinged movement of the arm members about the central portion, the central portion maintains the conductors in a spaced apart relationship in a manner such that the structural integrity of said conductors is maintained for a predetermined minimum number of hinged movement cycles of said arm members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sincere International Trading Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wing Yiu Lam
  • Patent number: 7694831
    Abstract: The present invention is a motorcycle wheel holder with the capability of holding four motorcycle wheels simultaneously. The holder is capable of being rolled around and folds into a closed configuration by rotating two arms into its main frame. The arms are lockable in the deployed or stored configuration via actuation of locking pins. The unique geometry of the invention allows it to be oriented vertically or horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Pit Bull Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Van Valkenburgh
  • Patent number: 7677433
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of manufacturing containers such as shipping, display and display ready packaging, for example, and resulting containers and associated preassemblies and blanks are provided, which, when utilized, result in preassemblies that are more easily and quickly assembled into fully assembled containers. According to the invention, a primary flank is affixed to an auxiliary blank using adhesive applied to a second portion section of each of the plurality of divider sections included in the primary blank, such that, as the container is assembled, pressure on the auxiliary blank separates a first portion of each of the plurality of divider sections from second portion and carries each of the plurality of divider tabs to engage with corresponding lock slots of the first and/or second divider lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: York Container Company
    Inventor: Troy Little
  • Patent number: 7661559
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing squeezable tubes therein includes a plurality of vertical compartments that are each adapted to hold one squeezable tube. A plurality of moveable front members are adapted to move up or down between an opposite pair of sidewalls to retain an upper portion of the tube in position. An open top allows easy tube insertion or removal while a lower shelf retains the bottom of each tube. A bottom strip ensures that each tube will remain in position. According to a first modification, the interior sidewalls are adjustable to accommodate a variable spacing between them. Modified moveable front members include a variable width to accommodate the variable spacing between the adjustable interior sidewalls. According to a second modification, each tube is retained by a pair of curved side members that narrow toward the bottom of each compartment. An apparatus to secure a tube in an inverted position and to dispense a substance from a bottom opening is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Eugene Lee Tresenfeld
  • Patent number: 7641156
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable stand that generally comprises of an upper telescopic pipe, a lower telescopic pipe that is movably inserted into the upper telescopic pipe to form a longitudinal shaft, a plurality of expandable legs at the bottom of the longitudinal shaft with a leaf spring mechanism, a round plate holder, a bottle holder, a v-shaped plate holder, a flower vase, umbrella stand, a box for magnetic compass or LED light, a knickknack pouch and a beverage holder. The longitudinal shaft of the portable stand is adjusted for a desired height. A controller knob is slid up and down, to fold and expand the expandable legs at the bottom of the longitudinal shaft to a desired angle. Various attachments are attached onto the longitudinal shaft depending on the need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Neil Medders, Debra Medders
  • Patent number: 7571820
    Abstract: A unitary blank of injection molded plastic includes a back panel, first side panels hingedly connected to the back panel, a second side panel hingedly connected to the back panel, front panels hingedly connected to the second side panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to the front panels, and shelves hingedly connected to respective first side panels. To assemble the display, the panels are folded so that the back panel, the side panels, and the front panels surround an interior space, and the cover panel overlaps the first side panels. Latches are provided to retain the cover panel on the first side panels. Each shelf is folded to extend into the interior space, where it is supported by ledges on the second side panel and held in place by tabs which snap into slots. The shelves have tongues which extend forward of the front panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Merchandising Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alexander
  • Publication number: 20080145512
    Abstract: A collapsible and disposable food chafing stand may be formed of any suitable fibrous material such as corrugated cardboard or any other suitable paper product. The chafing stand may be folded flat for transportation and storage and opened for use. In use the chafing stand secures one or more heat sources below any suitable pan or other food container to heat or maintain the heat of the food within. The chafing stand may include any suitable ornamentation and or advertisement printed or otherwise secured on the chafing stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Paperno, Keith Nash
  • Publication number: 20080053939
    Abstract: A joint device for providing hinged movement between a first and second arm member and for providing independent delivery of electrical power to the arm members, wherein said device includes a central portion for receiving at least two sets of electrical conductors and for delivering said at least one set of electrical conductors to each of said arm members, characterised in that upon hinged movement of the arm members about the central portion, the central portion maintains the conductors in a spaced apart relationship in a manner such that the structural integrity of said conductors is maintained for a predetermined minimum number of hinged movement cycles of said arm members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Wing Yiu Lam
  • Patent number: 7168580
    Abstract: A first section of a rack includes a first lower wire bend, a second lower wire bend, a first upper wire bend, and a second upper wire bend. The first section also includes a first pivot coupling into which is received a first end of each of the first and second lower wire bends and into which is received a first end of each of the first and second upper wire bends. The first section also includes a second pivot coupling into which is received a second end of each of the first and second lower wire bends and into which is received a second end of each of the first and second upper wire bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: MetroKane, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Larimer, Edward Kilduff
  • Patent number: 6843015
    Abstract: A bipod for a firearm, or other equipment utilizing a multiple-leg pod, is provided that features easy, snap-apart and snap-together legs and snap-on and snap-off connection of the bipod to a ball or knob on the firearm or other equipment. The legs are preferably received in bores/holes in the bipod body and, during snapping in and out, the legs move past protrusions that restrict movement of the legs between different lobes of the bores/holes. The ball joint formed between the ball/knob and the main body of the bipod serves as preferably the only connection that moves during use by the shooter. As the shooter swivels, tilts, or pans the gun, the ball/knob attached to the firearm moves in the top socket of the main body of the bipod, with the legs being stationary relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Ronnie L. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20040099622
    Abstract: A foldable storage and display rack includes a flexible member. The flexible member has a plurality of rhombus receiving sections which arrange in turn adjacent to each other. When not in use, the flexible member may be compressed or folded by the user along a sewing line, in this manner, each of the rhombus receiving sections is flattened and forms a type of multi-layer superposition. Therefore, the flattened flexible member may be stored in a compact volume. When in use, a article is placed in the rhombus receiving sections, due to the effect of the gravity, each of the rhombus receiving sections will hold the article tightly on all sides so as to insure the article to locate stably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: David Lee
  • Patent number: 6684922
    Abstract: A holder for draining a viscous fluid from a bottle, of the type having a neck and a mouth, is disclosed. This holder comprises a base having an outer perimeter, a plurality of elongated, support members that extend from the base's outer perimeter and are foldable upward so that their ends approach each other at a point on an axis which extends perpendicular to the bottom of the base. The ends of the support members are flared and concaved outward so that these portion cooperate to form a structure, when the support members are folded upward, for receiving the neck of a bottle that is inverted and placed in the holder. The members are held in their upward folded positions by an elastic band which is placed around the outside of the support members in the vicinity of their concave outward portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Shirley M.C. Alston, Raymond E. Carter
  • Publication number: 20030057171
    Abstract: A folding collapsible storage rack is constructed to include a vertical rectangular back frame, two vertical side frames respectively hinged to two opposite long sides of the back frame, a plurality of bearing members respectively pivoted to the back frame at different elevations, and a plurality of angle fittings respectively fixedly fastened to the side frames at different elevations and adapted to support the bearing members in horizontal for keeping things after the side frames have been turned outwards from the back frame to an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Tsan Wang
  • Patent number: 6050529
    Abstract: A flower pot support structure includes two front upright bars, a rear upright bar, an upper end pot ring, two upper connecting plates, two lateral end pot rings, a lower pot ring, and a lower connecting frame. The front upright bars are erected apart from each other in a parallel relationship. Each front upright bar has securing holes formed at an intermediate section thereof, and an oblique support bar connected to a lower section thereof. The rear upright bar is erected behind the front upright bars and is also formed with securing holes at an intermediate section thereof. An operating handle is fixedly secured on the rear upright bar above the securing holes, whereas an oblique support bar is connected to a lower section thereof. The upper end pot ring is mounted at a top end of the flower pot support. The upper connecting plates are bent plates that straddle the inner sides of upper sections of the front upright bars and the two sides of an upper section of the rear upright bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Ming-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 5881875
    Abstract: A carrying case for tennis equipment, in the form of a flat panel mounted to the front legs of a foldable tripod. Pockets for tennis racquets, tennis balls and tennis shoes are affixed to the front surface of the panel for easy viewing and easy access. The tripod construction can be folded into a flat panel configuration for carrying in suitcase fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Marty Beurekjian
  • Patent number: 5725109
    Abstract: A novel rack for holding test tubes, elongated objects and the like in an upright position. The rack is formed in a one-piece construction having upper and intermediate panels, both panels having holes which are aligned with one another to receive tubes passing through both panels. The holes securely retain the tubes upright and separate from each other during shipping and dispensing by means of easily deformable holes having integral slits radiating from each hole. The carton is lightweight, collapsible and can be easily scored and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: LABCON, North America
    Inventors: Tom Moulton, Bob Hill
  • Patent number: 5641137
    Abstract: A bag dryer including a plurality of elongated dowels with each dowel having an exterior end, an interior end and a hole radially positioned therethrough with a common distance from the interior end; a pair of generally rectangular base portions with each base having an interior edge with a plurality of holes therein, an exterior edge for placement upon a recipient surface, and a pair of short end walls and a pair of long side walls therebetween, each hole capable of being in receipt of the interior end of each dowel; and a plurality of rivets for positioning through each hole of each dowel joining the dowels forming dowel pairs, the dowel pairs being in an open position when each base portion being placed on the recipient surface and capable of receipt of a bag over each exterior end of each dowel of the dowel pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Jackson D. Collier
  • Patent number: 5542731
    Abstract: Multiple leg members have upright and horizontal segments with the former defining openings to receive the rims of plates being carried. A combination handle and retainer prevents closing movement of the leg members during use of the carrier. Ears on the underside of the handle prevent closing movement of the leg members. Loosening of a fastener assembly permits disengagement of the ears from some of the leg members to permit rotation of the leg members toward a remaining leg member to collapse the carrier for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Joan F. Wills
  • Patent number: 5405019
    Abstract: A display mount and book support apparatus includes a base panel adapted to sit on a surface along with a pair of angled panels each attached to one edge of the base panel with a ductile hinge and extending at an angle over the base panel. A pair of generally upright panels are each attached to one edge of one angled panel and extend in a generally vertically direction. The upright panels are spaced from each other in a generally parallel spaced relationship whereby books or other materials can be wedged between the upright panels and rest on one side of the base panel. The ductile hinges are of an increased rigidity over those normally used in the industry and have been alloyed with magnesium, copper, iron and manganese to thereby increase the resistance to bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Carroll N. Cross
  • Patent number: 5273168
    Abstract: A folding multi-pot holder has a holder member pivotably supported over a se member by opposing sets of legs pivotably mounted to the opposite ends of the base and holder members. The pivot points of each pair of legs are offset from each other by the thickness of the legs so that the legs can be pivotally folded to a flat, horizontal position for storage. In the preferred embodiment, the base member and holder member both have the same thickness which is twice the thickness of the legs so that the entire assembly folds flat to a single thickness for storage. Support members are provided for bracing the holder member at intermediate positions and have upright tabs that lock the holder member and legs in the vertical position during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: King Arthur Company, div. of Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth V. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5207333
    Abstract: A simplified, convenient and compact multi-storied parking and/or displaying rack being collapsible and movable is provided. The rack includes at least two vertically spaced parking/displaying members each of which includes a first end, two opposite sides and a second end, at least a vertically moving mechanism mounted between the two members for moving them apart from or toward each other, and at least a positioning mechanism mounted on the moving mechanism and capable of holding the two members in a vertically spaced relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Luke S. Peng
  • Patent number: 5139746
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a multiple holder for test tubes, which receives a plurality of individual test tubes for the simultaneous flow-through of a gas sample with the gas entering the tubes through at least one opened end, from a connection piece which has a flow outlet. The multiple holder of the invention receives commercially available test tubes with fused tips and includes an arrangement to simultaneously open all the test tubes introduced. To achieve this, the multiple holder 1 is designed such that at least one section 6, 6a can be tilted down, as a result of which the tips 8 of all the test tubes 2 introduced can be broken off simultaneously at least at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Rabenecker
  • Patent number: 4895382
    Abstract: A distribution system comprises box-shaped transport containers, (5) each provided with a bottom (18) and walls (20), and a truck (1) provided with wheels and having swinging side walls (3 and 4) in hinged connection with a vertical end wall (2). The side walls (3 and 4) have supporting elements placed oppositely in pairs, e.g. horizontal L-shaped rails (22) which are positively engageable with members formed on the transport trays (5), e.g. channels (21). The channel members are incorporated at the bottom (18) of the transport trays, to facilitate in cooperation with the L-shaped rail members loading by insertion of the transport trays (5) and securing of the side walls (3 and 4) when the side walls are in their active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: AB Tetra Pak
    Inventor: Kjell Andersson
  • Patent number: 4583707
    Abstract: A collapsible holder for a container having a plate-like base member and a plate-like support member. The support member has a hole therethrough along an axis perpendicular to an upwardly facing surface on the base member. Yieldable force-generating structure is interconnected between the base member and the support member for continually urging the support member and the base member from a first position wherein the base member and support members are in a mutually adjacent relation with little or no space therebetween to a second position vertically spaced from each other while maintaining the upwardly facing relation of the surface on the base member. A releasable latch structure is provided for holding the base member and the support member in the aforesaid first position. Thus, upon a release of the latch structure, the force-generating structure will urge a separation of the base member and support member to the aforesaid second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Assembled Components Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4542522
    Abstract: An X-ray film cassette holder for use in X-raying injuries to large animals in the field, especially race horses, and especially adapted to knee and ankle X-ray procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: Gilbert L. Blais
  • Patent number: 4513938
    Abstract: A retractable apparatus for holding garbage or refuse cans in an erect position includes a hollow casing implanted in the ground, a telescoping support column contained in the casing, and a head fixture attached to the support column for receiving and securing blade extensions attached to refuse cans. The casing is buried so that its upper end is substantially flush with ground level. The support column is retracted, when not in use, to a storage position contained within the hollow casing, by collapsing a number of telescopically interconnected elements which make up the support column. A recess is provided at the top of the inner surface of the hollow casing to receive and contain the head fixture in a position substantially flush with ground level. To secure refuse cans in an upright position, the support column is telescopically extended to an above-ground position. Blade extensions attached to the refuse cans are then inserted into receiving slots in the now-elevated head fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Inventor: Charles M. Seymour
  • 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: 4270662
    Abstract: A modular bottle support rack fabricated of identical modular members using any number of such members in pairs. Each member has a bottle craddling surface and a projecting member which mates with a modular member to provide a pair of spaced bottle craddling surfaces. There is no limit on the number of modular members that can be connected together to form a bottle support rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: Jesus C. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 4217941
    Abstract: Ketchup rapping apparatus having a pair of L-form racks hinged to one another, each adapted to hold a ketchup bottle in a stationary seated position, one of the racks being pivotable through 180 degrees from a back-to-back relationship with the other rack to carry its bottle to inverted vertical alignment with the other bottle, a resilient guide cup to be disposed between the mouth ends of the aligned bottles for avoiding glass-to-glass bottle contact and for guiding the bottle being inverted down into the aligned position with the other bottle, a latch for securing the pivoted rack in the inverted position to allow easy porting of the apparatus in the inverted condition, and shock absorbing pads on the bottom of the non-inverted rack enabling rapping of the latter in the inverted condition of the apparatus against a solid surface so as to jar free a clogged ketchup flow condition without damaging the apparatus or the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventor: Vitale Catalano
  • Patent number: 4201380
    Abstract: A portable, quickly disassembled stand for barbells comprising a base formed of a cross piece adapted to rest on a floor and having slots near each end; a pair of first rectangular members having a flat under surface part of which lies on the same plane as that of the cross bar and has a notched recessed front part fitting over the ends of the cross bar on one side of the bar. A pair of aligned superimposed dowel-receiving openings in the notches of the members receive each a dowel projecting from a second pair of stabilizing members fitting partly over the cross piece. A pair of upright barbell supports fit in the notches and are secured by dowels. Lateral struts are hinged to the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Inventor: Arthur D. Birch
  • Patent number: 4122780
    Abstract: A foldable bar-table formed of a pair of frame members mounted for relative rocking movement between open and folded positions and vertically spaced apart non-stretchable fabrics extending lengthwise between the cross pieces of the frame members with openings in the upper fabric to enable containers to be inserted therethrough and supported by the lower fabric, including side pockets for utensils and depending compartments for containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Ever-Wear, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Brickman
  • Patent number: 4093166
    Abstract: A new and improved horizontal posture maintenance structure which permits being restored to the original horizontal condition in defiance of inclination at rolling, pitching or swing place and maintaining the original state thereof by righting moment in accordance with gravity of the structure comprising two pairs of similar figure elements which are pivotally fitted at the each end and are rotatably supported at the bottom and also are spread at right angles to each other. A small type of the horizontal posture maintenance structure of the present invention is hung on a wall or is put on a table, and a large type of the structure is removably installed on a floor board. Excellent effect for restoration and maintenance of horizontal posture and condition, such as on rolling, pitching or swing place, is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Inventor: Shonosuke Iida
  • Patent number: 4064993
    Abstract: A knockdown stand assembly for supporting a container or the like which is particularly adapted for use in a kit including a plurality of leg members, an intermediate retaining member for holding the leg members together at an intermediate point including openings for receiving the leg members, and an upper retaining member for holding the upper ends of the leg members together including openings for receiving the leg members, the leg members including locating sections for locating the intermediate retaining member and the upper retaining member relative to the leg members and releasable snap locks for locking the intermediate and upper retaining members in place. In kit form, the foregoing components are included with a container adapted to be supported by the knockdown stand assembly and a pedestal for providing an alternative means for supporting the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Inventor: Edwin S. Getner
  • Patent number: 4056017
    Abstract: A mechanical linkage for moving an oxygen bottle disposed in a horizontal position at a first location on a fire engine to a vertical position at a second location. The linkage permits pivoting the oxygen bottle horizontally from the first location to the second and then pivoting the oxygen bottle vertically from the horizontal position to the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Ziamatic Corporation
    Inventor: Clyde A. Cobb