Screw Threaded Patents (Class 248/188.4)
  • Patent number: 6935463
    Abstract: A ladder safety support for use with an existing ladder is disclosed. The support includes an attachment assembly for removable connection to the lower end of the ladder and one of two interchangeable foot assemblies for supporting the ladder on a surface. The first foot assembly provides a surface-penetrating stake having a lower tapered section and presenting a pointed tip and a threaded portion for removably attaching the stake to the assembly. The second foot assembly is similarly removable and provides a surface-engaging pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: K & B Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kevin Brewster
  • Patent number: 6935250
    Abstract: An improved elevating table apparatus provides a plurality of at least three telescoping legs that support a table top having an underside and an upper surface that provides a work surface upon which can be placed computers, office equipment and the like. A gear cluster is provided at the top of each leg that includes a plurality of gears, preferably bevel gears, that are engaged during use. Each leg has a hollow interior that holds a generally vertically extending, externally threaded rod, the rod having an upper end portion with a gear that forms a part of the gear cluster and a lower end portion that threadably engages a section of the leg. A single crank provides a drive shaft with a gear that forms a part of one of the gear clusters. A plurality of connecting linkages or connecting rods are provided that connect a center of the gear clusters to each of a pair of side gear clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6923419
    Abstract: An adjustable platform assembly for raising an appliance includes a platform with various spaced vertical leg members. Each of the leg members has a first mounting aperture for fixing an appliance to the platform, and a second mounting aperture for fixing an adjustable caster to the leg member. A consumer can adjust the platform assembly to a desired height by altering the height of the caster members. A decorative faceplate is provided which removably attaches to the front of the platform assembly to give the appliance a built-in look.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Evelyn M. George, Mostafa Michael Khosropour
  • Patent number: 6910666
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained to about 15° from the vertical and 360° rotary movement of the leveling mount base. The leveling mount base can engage a threaded support stud affixed to the supported equipment. A suitable number of lag holes with knock-out covers over said lag holes are provided. The lag holes are in perpendicular alignment with parallel top and bottom configured surfaces of the leveling mount base to permit secure attachment of the leveling mount base to support surfaces to reduce to a minimum the presence of open holes, crevices, recesses and cavities in the juncture of the leveling device with the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6902140
    Abstract: An adjustable support foot comprises a support post, a plurality of retaining plates, a control device and an outer shell. The support post has a base and a screwed axle erected thereon. The retaining plates each provided with a screw thread cover around the screwed axle and are further enclosed by the control device including a retaining cylinder and a control ring. The control device urges the retaining plates to engage the screwed axle or depart from the screwed axle, by which the relative position of the support post in the outer shell can be quickly or mildly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Shih-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 6889946
    Abstract: A leveling shoe with a base plate (1) that has a base surface (2) and with a support plate (4) for an object that can be adjusted by means of an adjusting wedge device (3) in rectangular height direction relative to the base surface (2). The leveling shoe has an improved stability and is yet simple and inexpensive in its production. The adjusting wedge device (3) includes two wedges (7,10) that can be moved towards or away from each other by actuating a screw spindle (6). The wedges are provided with support surfaces (11,12) for the support of the plate (4). The support surfaces (11,12), in every position of the wedges (7,10), are disposed symmetrically with respect to a first plane (E1) that is perpendicular to the base surface. The screw spindle axis (6) is provided with two screw parts (6a, 6b) that have identical thread pitches but opposite thread directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Nivell AG
    Inventor: Roger Bizaj
  • Patent number: 6874739
    Abstract: A positioning system includes a first lift, a second lift, and a leveling system. Each lift includes a base, an adjustment element including a tubular body having a first end coupled to the base and a second end, a drive nut carried at the second end, and a drive screw carried within the body and having an end extending from the body through the drive nut, the drive screw movable between a retracted position and an extended position by rotation of the drive nut, and a support plate coupled to the end of the drive screw. An extension element is couplable between the base and the adjustable element. The leveling system includes a laser element coupled to the support plate of the first lift and a metering element coupled to the support plate of the second lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Gregory's Enterprises Inc.
    Inventor: Scott B. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6871826
    Abstract: An equipment adjusting leg is provided which is lightweight and which can achieve cost reduction without decreasing impact-resistant strength. The impact-resistant strength is secured and the light weight is achieved by the structure of the equipment adjusting leg, which comprises: a leg 10 which is provided in the lower part of an external frame of the equipment in a manner capable of moving up and down, and of which lower part is formed as a ground contact part 16 and of which upper part is formed as a sliding shaft 17 with a concavo-convex part 18 like, for example, a screw, provided around the periphery of the sliding shaft 17; an element for locking the up-and-down movements of the leg; and an element for releasing the lock; wherein the sliding shaft 17 of the leg 10 is constructed by using a resin with excellent mechanical strength, such as polycarbonate, to construct a peripheral part, and by using an elongated metallic member (a metal shaft 24) as a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nix, Inc.
    Inventors: Junji Oyama, Yuki Kamada
  • Patent number: 6845723
    Abstract: A folding and tilting table which is versatile, simply constructed and easy to use. The table includes a table top, an elongated support member, two leg assemblies pivotally mounted to ends of the support member, a set of wheels connected to the leg assemblies and an elongated hinge connected to the support member and to the table top. A first pair of latch assemblies restrain the table top to the support member and a second pair of latch assemblies restrain the leg assemblies. Once released, the table top may rotate from an in-use horizontal position to a vertical position for storage. Also once released, the leg assemblies may move from the use mode to storage mode quickly and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: HON Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Kottman, Josiah M. Ives, Mark Schaefers, William C. Cesaroni, Shawn O. Barrett, Robert J. Glenn, II
  • Patent number: 6839937
    Abstract: A leveling system for a containment unit is disclosed. This leveling system includes at least one and typically multiple leveling elements, each of which are adjustably attached to a surface of the containment unit. An adjustment mechanism is in communication with the leveling elements for displacing the leveling element or elements in a substantially vertical direction. The leveling system also includes a level measurement mechanism attached to a surface of the containment unit for indicating a containment unit horizontal planar position or indicating when the containment unit is “level.” A containment unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Bush Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040262467
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained to about 15° from the vertical and 360° rotary movement of the leveling mount base. The leveling mount base can engage a threaded support stud affixed to the supported equipment. A suitable number of lag holes with knock-out covers over said lag holes are provided. The lag holes are in perpendicular alignment with parallel top and bottom configured surfaces of the leveling mount base to permit secure attachment of the leveling mount base to support surfaces to reduce to a minimum the presence of open holes, crevices, recesses and cavities in the juncture of the leveling device with the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6832555
    Abstract: An aligning apparatus for heavy loads, in particular a printing unit, includes at least one support plate, which is rotatably mounted on a base plate screwed to an erection surface and can be positioned on the base plate with regard to its horizontal position by means of adjusting screws. Each support plate interacts with a vertical adjusting screw which is provided for adjusting the vertical position of the printing unit and can be fixed to the printing unit, each vertical adjusting screw being designed with a spherical end which is supported on the plate in a spherical recess designed with little play or as a locating fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Josef Göttling, Thomas Hartmann, Godber Petersen
  • Publication number: 20040238716
    Abstract: An adjustable platform assembly for raising an appliance includes a platform with various spaced vertical leg members. Each of the leg members has a first mounting aperture for fixing an appliance to the platform, and a second mounting aperture for fixing an adjustable caster to the leg member. A consumer can adjust the platform assembly to a desired height by altering the height of the caster members. A decorative faceplate is provided which removably attaches to the front of the platform assembly to give the appliance a built-in look.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Evelyn M. George, Mostafa Michael Khosropour
  • Patent number: 6796538
    Abstract: An adjusting device comprising a foot member, a supporting member, and a moving member. The supporting member is fixed to the foot member, and the moving member includes at least a moving body, an elastic device and a button. The moving body includes two passageways, one of which is sized to receive the supporting member so that the moving body can move vertically and is coupled to the supporting member, and the other of which is sized to receive the elastic device so that the elasticity of the elastic device embeds in the passageway horizontally to clip to the supporting member so that the moving body is fixed to the supporting member. The button is movable horizontally or vertically and is buckled to the moving body, through which the user can impose a force horizontally or vertically to deform the elastic device, so that the elastic device can disengage from the supporting member for the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Shin-Lung Hsu, Hung-Cheng Lee, Hung-Wen Liu, Ying-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 6776380
    Abstract: A furniture article of improved construction includes a furniture frame having a portion that is receptive of a bracket having a configuration that enables attaching a leg thereto in an adjustable way. Each of the legs that attaches to the furniture frame attaches to a single of the brackets. A plurality of the brackets can be attached to the frame. Each of the brackets has a slot that receives a connector (e.g. internally threaded nut), the connector traveling in the slot between inner and outer positions. A user can select the position of a leg relative to the furniture frame by attaching the leg to the nut using a threaded fastener for example, and sliding the nut and leg relative to the bracket and frame until a selected position is reached. Further tightening of the leg relative to the nut and bracket affixes the position of the leg relative to the article of furniture in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Kirk, Jr., Joy B. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6742750
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Limited swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained. The leveling mount base can engage a support stud affixed to the supported equipment. A ball retaining agent provides a security lock against removal of the ball from the ball socket from sock or impact. The ball retaining agent alternatively is adjustable to limit range of swivel from 15° from the vertical and to lock limited swivel and rotary movements of the ball and socket stud into fixed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6729590
    Abstract: A device for leveling an object on uneven or sloping floors. The device is comprised of a housing with a substantially hollow portion having a worm gear, a driven gear, and an elevation shaft with threads on at least a portion of the shaft's external surface. The worm gear operably engages the driven gear, which in turn operably engages the elevation shaft. When the worm gear is rotated in opposite directions, concomitant rotations of the driven gear cause the elevation shaft to move axially up or down, thereby providing leveling motions to an object to which the device is attached. A pad may be attached to one end of the elevation to prevent scratching the surface on which the object rests. The hollow portion of the housing is configured to provide at least one load-bearing surface such that no separate bearings are required with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Edward Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20040026580
    Abstract: A support pedestal for semiconductor device manufacturing equipment includes adjustable support legs. In a first aspect, each adjustable support leg includes a pair of telescopingly disposed support cylinders. The cylinders are interfaced to each other via a threaded collar that is threadingly coupled to a threaded region on an inner one of the support cylinders. The height of the support leg is adjusted by rotation of the collar. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald Vern Schauer
  • Publication number: 20040026598
    Abstract: A support pedestal for semiconductor device manufacturing equipment includes adjustable support legs. In a first aspect, each adjustable support leg includes a pair of telescopingly disposed support cylinders. The cylinders have respective threaded regions whereby the cylinders are threadingly coupled to each other. The height of each support leg is adjusted by rotation of one or both of the cylinders. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Vern Schauer
  • Publication number: 20030218957
    Abstract: To provide support leg devices for an equipment case which are structured so as to improve workability and also so as not to scratch a rack at the time of setting up an audio equipment or the like on the rack, and are further capable of taking measures for safety of fingers at the time of installation work; moreover, which are structured so as to be fastened to the equipment case with a high rigid structure permitting to eliminate vibration and resonance effectively; and which are further improved in design quality; and furthermore, which permit one-point supporting by spike bodies onto stand bases only by setting up the audio equipment or the like, and thereby facilitate the setting work into an installation space with poor dead space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Takao Tanishima
  • Patent number: 6640931
    Abstract: A multi use L-shaped ladder utility bracket with ladder leveling attachments that is hand fastenable, due to four proprietarily aligned apertures in the bracket's elongated member, using two u-bolts and associated nuts, to any two rungs of any ladder with rungs that are sequentially distanced one from another by approximately 12 inches, center-point to center-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventors: R. Park Palmer, Cornelia G. Palmer, R. Park Palmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6636418
    Abstract: An electronic system has electronic circuitry and an electronic cabinet that houses the electronic circuitry. The electronic cabinet includes a frame that holds the electronic circuitry, a set of exterior members that mounts to the frame, and a stabilization assembly. The stabilization assembly has a base portion that attaches to the frame of the electronic cabinet in order to support the frame of the electronic cabinet over a floor surface, a pedestal portion, and a positioner. The positioner is configured to position the pedestal portion of the stabilization assembly relative to the frame such that the pedestal portion of the stabilization assembly is substantially wider than the frame along a particular direction when the pedestal of the stabilization assembly portion resides in an operating position relative to the frame. The pedestal portion can prevent the electronic cabinet from inadvertently being knocked over if pushed in the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Claprood, Lawrence Pignolet, Gary Goulet, F. William French
  • Patent number: 6631878
    Abstract: Base support mount for HVAC equipment, comprises a base including a cavity having an outer edge; a body received within the cavity, the body including outside threads, and including a portion to support the equipment in a spaced relationship from a horizontal surface; and a nut engaging the outside threads and the outer edge, the nut being effective to raise or lower the body relative to the base when the nut is turned clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bramec Corporation
    Inventor: Courtney Adam
  • Publication number: 20030146355
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Limited swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained. The leveling mount base can engage a support stud affixed to the supported equipment. A ball retaining agent provides a security lock against removal of the ball from the ball socket from sock or impact. The ball retaining agent alternatively is adjustable to limit range of swivel from 15° from the vertical and to lock limited swivel and rotary movements of the ball and socket stud into fixed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6601353
    Abstract: A plastic shutter level is formed by a cap assembly which fits into the bottom of a vertical stile of the shutter. The cap assembly includes a cap body and an adjustable member which threads into the cap body. The adjustable member has a cam shaped bottom face which cams over the shutter frame to provide an automatic leveling adjustment of the shutter when in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Vinylbilt Shutter Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo Gabriele
  • Patent number: 6595144
    Abstract: An adjustable leg assembly includes a base leg which receives a pair of spaced, multiple section slides, each having one end coupled to a motor actuator attached to the underside of a work surface and an opposite end coupled to the base leg. The slides provide lateral strength for the motion between raised, lowered, and intermediate adjustable positions and provide a trim cover for concealing the drive mechanism employed for adjusting the table height. A pair of trim strips are mounted to an actuator on the underside of the table surface to extend in the areas between the slides for concealing the actuator mechanism which extends to the base leg. In a still further preferred embodiment, the base leg is an extrusion having a plurality of mounting apertures formed therein and trim panel receiving slots such that the appearance of the adjustable leg assembly can be modified for a given work environment and décor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Suspa Incorporated
    Inventor: James E. Doyle
  • Patent number: 6585213
    Abstract: An article of furniture foot elevational spacer in the form of a carpet pile shield (10) comprises a generally rectangularly shaped hollow dual sided foot support (12) and a spacer leg configuration constituting a plurality of legs formations as provided by legs (14) ending with spiked opposite ends (16). The legs (14) fit adjustably and removably along threaded apertures (18). The one end (16.1) of each leg (14) is more acute than the opposite end (16.2) to enable the shield (10) to accommodate two pile thicknesses. The upward facing parts of the legs (14) perform a boundary defining function in bordering the seating area (12.2) of the support (12) to constrain the foot (22) of an item resting on it, once in use. The support (12) is also fitted with a foot dismounting counteracting finger (24) fitting screw-fashion along a centrally located threaded aperture (26) in the support (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Josua Olivier
  • Patent number: 6584745
    Abstract: A building construction for floors including joists that have vertical, threaded, through-running holes for level-adjusting spacer screws, which protrude from the joist on its underside for adjusting the top side of the joist to a desired level, an elastic damping body being arranged at the anterior screw portion and having an outer part, which forms a resilient connection between the screw and the substructure, and an inner part, which is located inside a central hole in the screw. The inner part forms a resilient engagement element for cooperation with an inner support surface in the bottom part of the screw. An attachment element for anchoring the screw to the substructure extends through a central hole in the damping body. The cross section of the inner part is greater than the diameter of the bottom part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nivell System AB
    Inventor: Lennart Johansson
  • Patent number: 6536725
    Abstract: A table leg leveling device including a base member having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is adapted for coupling with a free lower end of a table leg. The lower end of the base member has an internally threaded aperture extending upwardly therein. An extension member is adapted for being adjustably received within the internally threaded aperture of the lower end of the base member. The extension member includes a threaded rod having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is adjustably positioned within the internally threaded aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Todd Fisher
  • Patent number: 6520461
    Abstract: The leg support is constructed of a split plastic housing into which a tubular plastic foot is threaded. Metal sleeves of non-corrosive material are slidably mounted on each of the housing and foot to provide an aesthetic appearance. The internal thread on the housing is a buttress thread with a not quite perpendicular load receiving flank. The external buttress thread on the plastic foot has a mating upper flank. The leg support is able to withstand relatively heavy loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Component Hardware Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Graham
  • Patent number: 6520459
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Limited swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained. The leveling mount base can engage a support stud affixed to the supported equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Publication number: 20030025051
    Abstract: A self-adjusting furniture foot assembly has an upper member slidably engaged with a lower member. Between the upper and lower members, a biasing member urges the two apart while a dampening member resists acceleration of the second member toward the first member. Consequently, the foot assembly can slowly compensate to an uneven support surface for an item of furniture, and can quickly reset itself when the furniture is lifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ian Andrew MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20030024447
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing the open end of a foot on a piece of tubular furniture having a cap (10) for a piece of tubular furniture (20), a butt portion (22), a bottom (24), an inner wall (26), and an outer wall (28). A threaded insert (30), preferably metallic, is molded into bottom portion (24). When inserted into a foot (15) of a piece of tubular furniture (20), inner wall (26) and outer wall (28) engage foot (15) in a two-sided friction fit, and a threaded glide or caster (40) is inserted through foot (15) and threaded insert (30), further securing cap (10) to foot (15) and providing easy movement and leveling of furniture (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Charles Arthur Risdall, William Thomas Risdall
  • Patent number: 6513281
    Abstract: A holder for isolating an article from a surface is comprised of a receiving member for retaining an article in a position removed from a surface. A crawling arthropod-deterring component is applied at least adjacent to lower periphery of the receiving member. A base situated below the receiving member supports and stabilizes the receiving member and distributes a load applied by the retained article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: University of Florida
    Inventor: Ernest H. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6511282
    Abstract: An earthquake resistant frame structure which is shippable in a fully populated condition has abase member, a plurality of support members extending from the base member, a top portion disposed over the ends of the support members, a extension member disposed over the top portion, side stiffeners positioned perpendicularly between the support members, and a tie down assembly system positioned between the base member and a flooring surface. The extension member has a platform section and at least two legs depending substantially perpendicularly therefrom that slidingly engage the support members. The two legs have slots therethrough configured to receive fasteners that, when secured to support members, secure and maintain the extension member in position. First and second panels protrude laterally from the frame structure to form an extension area, from which a bracket hingedly depends. A variety of pin arrangements are used to prevent the removal of the bracket from the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Budy D. Notohardjono, John S. Corbin, Jr., Steven C. McIntosh, Howard P. Welz
  • Patent number: 6507976
    Abstract: A damper device includes a damper main body, and a grommet fixed to a fixing member. The damper main body includes a shaft portion having a plurality of engagement projection portions extending along a peripheral direction at predetermined intervals in an axial direction thereof. The grommet has a tube portion, an engaging device to be fixed to the fixing member formed outside the tube portion, and an elastic anchor piece disposed inside the tube portion to engage the engagement projection portions of the shaft portion pressed into the tube portion. When a stopper is formed outside the shaft portion and tightened to the grommet, the damper main body can be securely fixed to the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Takahide Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 6484437
    Abstract: A holder for isolating an article from a surface is comprised of a receiving member for retaining an article in a position removed from a surface. A crawling arthropod-deterring component is applied at least adjacent to lower periphery of the receiving member. A base situated below the receiving member supports and stabilizes the receiving member and distributes a load applied by the retained article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest H. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6478269
    Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable leg assembly, comprising a holder (9, 12) which is adapted to be fixed to the underside of a table top (1); first and second elongate carrier elements (2, 3) which are directed away from the holder (9, 12) and cooperate by threaded engagement. The first carrier element (2) is mounted rotatably but axially immovably in the holder (9, 12) and one (2; 3) of the first and second carrier elements (2, 3) having an external thread and the other (3; 2) of the first and second carrier elements (2, 3) being a tube having an internal thread portion at one end in threaded engagement with the external thread. An electric motor is arranged for rotating the first carrier element (2). A device is arranged for interrupting the current to the motor when the leg assembly is in a limit position of maximum or minimum length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Svenska Kenab Karlshamns Ergonomi
    Inventor: Matts Forsberg
  • Publication number: 20020158173
    Abstract: A table leg leveling device including a base member having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is adapted for coupling with a free lower end of a table leg. The lower end of the base member has an internally threaded aperture extending upwardly therein. An extension member is adapted for being adjustably received within the internally threaded aperture of the lower end of the base member. The extension member includes a threaded rod having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is adjustably positioned within the internally threaded aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Todd Fisher
  • Patent number: 6461002
    Abstract: A latching mechanism includes an aperture surface through which a threaded rod may pass. Half of the surface of the aperture is smooth and fixed in place relative to a housing. The other half is threaded and formed from an internal module that is slidable within the housing. The internal module is biased by a spring towards the fixed portion of the aperture surface. Flaring tabs on either side of the internal module support the internal module within the housing to ensure that a minimum of contact is established between the housing and the internal module so as to present a smooth latching/unlatching action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Min Su
  • Patent number: 6442906
    Abstract: An elevation-adjustable rod member locking structure is disclosed, which includes a locating socket fixedly fastened to an end of a tubular upright post, the locating socket having an inward shoulder, an adjustment nut threaded onto a screw rod and supported on the shoulder, the adjustment nut having an outward flange, and a lock screw threaded into the locating socket and stopped at the top side of the outward flange of the adjustment nut to lock the adjustment nut with the locating socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Hsin Tsai Hwang
  • Patent number: 6435048
    Abstract: A compact telescopic leg assembly includes a generally cylindrical drive motor mounted axially within the inner leg and coupled to a drive collar by a pedestal mount. A drive screw is threadably coupled to a first drive collar which is attached to the inner leg to raise and lower as the drive screw is rotated by the motor. The pedestal mount couples the motor through the first drive collar to a second drive collar which is coupled to an intermediate leg telescopically receiving the inner leg. Gears couple the motor-driven drive screw to a rotatable power nut coupled to the second drive collar. A fixed drive screw extends from the base within an outer leg upwardly through the second drive collar and cooperates with the power nut within the second drive collar to simultaneously extend and retract the legs as the motor rotates the motor-driven drive screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Suspa Incorporated
    Inventor: Dean A. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20020109054
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Limited swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained. The leveling mount base can engage a support stud affixed to the supported equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6422668
    Abstract: A furniture unit comprises a closed-front credenza that folds out to form an L-shaped desk. The unit comprises a stationary desk having a partially open front, with a kneehole opening forming at least a portion of the open front. A moveable return pivotally mounted at on one side of the desk comprises a vertical face panel and a work surface mounted at a rear side of the face panel. The return is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the face panel covers the open portion of the front of the desk and the return work surface is concealed behind the face panel, and an open position, wherein the face panel is pivoted outward from the front of the desk, exposing the kneehole opening in the desk. The return work surface extends forward from the desk alongside the kneehole opening when the return is opened. The face panel is configured so as to create the impression that the furniture unit is a credenza with no kneehole opening when the return is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph Byma, Greg J. Persons
  • Patent number: 6415886
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an audio speaker within a wall such that the apparatus and speaker are attached to and supported by one or more wall studs and so that a face of the audio speaker is substantially flush with the wall. The apparatus broadly comprises a substantially rectangular box having a backwall and four upstanding sidewalls. One or more of the sidewalls is provided with an aperture, and inside the aperture is located a fixture assembly. The fixture assembly comprises a spacer mount through which is threaded a spacer having a bore. The spacer is threadably extendable and retractable, and can be extended to a length sufficient to contact the nearest wall stud. A fixture is then inserted into and through the bore in the spacer and is driven or screwed into the wall stud to as to secure the apparatus and speaker in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Multi Service Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Combest
  • Patent number: 6407351
    Abstract: A thread covering assembly for threaded shafts of food equipment components such as scale adjustment feet includes at least one thread cover positioned around the threaded shaft and moveable along the length of the threaded shaft for preventing the threads of the shaft from being exposed to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: James C. Meyer, William H. McMahon, Kinred Bowling
  • Patent number: 6360842
    Abstract: An in-wall speaker mounting apparatus adapted to attach to adjacent studs in a wall is provided. Such stud attachment permits the weight of the apparatus as well as any speakers attached to the apparatus to be supported by the studs and not the wall in which the apparatus is mounted. The apparatus comprises a backwall and four upstanding sidewalls. At least one sidewall or the backwall is provided with an access hole which serves as an entry point for speaker wire or the like. At least one, and preferably two opposing sidewalls are provided with a pair of apertures each having a fixture assembly mounted thereto. The fixture assembly comprises a spacer mount having a flanged portion flush with the exterior portion of the sidewall and an exteriorly threaded region extending into the apparatus. A flanged hex nut is threaded onto the threaded region of the spacer mount with the flanged portion of the hex nut flush with the interior portion of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Multi Service Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Combest
  • Patent number: 6357718
    Abstract: A jackscrew insert and a method for jackscrew insertion into existing mounting openings in a machine base are described. A jacking shoulder is provided by a modification of the existing mounting openings utilizing a jackscrew machining tool. The jackscrew machining tool includes a cutting edge which cuts the jacking shoulder into the machine base adjacent the existing mounting openings. Should the existing mounting openings not be modified for proper utilization of the jackscrew insert, a jackscrew assembly and method for use are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James R. Crowell, Mark F. Fleer
  • Patent number: 6354231
    Abstract: A table leg supporting a table top vertically above the floor is adjustable between minimum and maximum heights and adapted to receive a castor at the lower end thereof. The castor alters the minimum height of the table leg to be greater than the maximum height of the table leg without the castor. A spacer is removably mounted on the lower end of the table leg without a castor for increasing its height to be at least equal to and preferably greater than the minimum height of the table leg with a castor. Thus, tables supported by legs with castors can be positioned adjacent tables supported by legs without castors, and the adjacent tables can be adjusted to the same height by adding spacers to the non-castored legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Anderson Hickey Company
    Inventor: John F. Morris
  • Patent number: 6349907
    Abstract: A support assembly for supporting an object on a floor. The support assembly includes a leg member and a heel member mounted on said leg member. The heel member is adapted to engage the floor. A foot member is pivotally attached to the leg member. The foot member is adapted to pivot between an upright storage position and a lateral support position. When in the lateral support position, the foot member is adapted to engage the floor at a point spaced apart from the heel member. In a preferred embodiment, a cover is provided to conceal the foot member when placed in the upright storage position. In a preferred embodiment, the heel member comprises a height adjustable glide device that includes a base portion and a stem portion extending upwardly from the base portion. A shaft is disposed in the stem portion and operable engages an actuator disposed in a cavity formed in the base portion. The shaft operably engages the leg member to provide vertical adjustment of the leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff A. Hollington, Dean D. Achterhof, Michael L. De Pree, George A. Miles