Engagement Is Responsive To Weight Or Thrust Of Staff Patents (Class 248/526)
  • Patent number: 10943506
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a resettable injection training device and a method embodiment for resetting the device is provided herein. The device may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the housing defining a cavity there within. A plunger may be slidable relative to the housing between the proximal end and the distal end. A releasably locking shield having a proximal end and a distal end, and being slidably engaged with the housing is also provided. The shield may be slidable between a retracted, pre-use position an extended, locked, post-use position. The device may further include a flat biasing member for locking the shield in the extended position, and a compressing component slidable relative to the housing, wherein pressure on the flat biasing member from the compressing component deforms the flat biasing member, and unlocks the shield, and wherein a release of pressure by the compressing component on the flat biasing member locks the shield in an extended, post-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Noble International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Lettman, Tingting Liu
  • Patent number: 8320111
    Abstract: In a slide/rotation attachment unit (100) having a base plate (1) with first and second axis pins (10, 10a) being spaced from each other at a predetermined distance and a movable plate (2) with first and second hook-shaped portions (20, 20a) that can engage with the first and second axis pins, respectively, the base plate and the movable plate are joined together so that the base plate and the movable plate are rotatable relative to each other. When the movable plate rotates in one direction, the first hook-shaped portion is brought into engagement with the first axis pin, and the second hook-shaped portion is disengaged from the second axis pin. When the movable plate rotates in another direction, the second hook-shaped portion is brought into engagement with the second axis pin, and the first hook-shaped portion is disengaged from the first axis pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Yamamoto Precision Co., Ltd., Techno Associe Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Kobayashi, Oh Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8205851
    Abstract: A self-adjusting apparatus is provided for clamping and supporting a substantially cylindrical element. When an element is placed in the self-adjusting apparatus, the element is supported at about 90° from the surface on which the apparatus sits. This is achieved with an integrated clamping mechanism and, preferably, with a self-centering mechanism comprising flexure springs and a retaining-center pin. The clamping mechanism applies a substantially radial force on the element that is directly proportional to the substantially cylindrical element's weight, and can be less than the weight of the element, preventing damage to the element. The present invention can include a liquid management system for when the apparatus supports a tree trunk. The liquid management system can include a reservoir, a funnel for filling the reservoir, a capillary wick and mat that provides water to the tree even when it is above the level of water in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent Hebert
  • Patent number: 7984884
    Abstract: An artificial Christmas tree stand comprises a receptacle, at least three equally spaced legs radially extending therefrom, an equal plurality of braces pivotally extending upwards from the legs' lengths, and outer struts and corresponding inner struts that travel a track in the braces' lengths. The legs pivot downwards 90° to collapse the stand for storage. The brace is extendable about a height of the tree trunk so that its claws can engage the trunk at a manually manipulated height. The braces essentially support the trunk upright as opposed to the conventional receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: B.I.G. Ideas, LLC
    Inventor: Vall A. Iliev
  • Patent number: 7907312
    Abstract: A rotation of an original cover and a hinge member in a vertical setting state of an image reading apparatus is locked by a simple operation. A locking mechanism which fixes the hinge member to the image reading apparatus is provided. The locking mechanism is fixed in a state in which the image reading apparatus has vertically been set by using its side surface on the hinge side as a setting surface and its fixture is released in a state in which the other surface is used as a setting surface. The locking mechanism has a construction in which a movable lock member provided in the hinge engages with the lock receptacle of the image reading apparatus upon vertical setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Miyahara
  • Patent number: 6749167
    Abstract: A beverage container holder for a shaped bottle has an insertion opening for insertion of a bottle, a spring element that pivots the diameter-compensating element into the insertion opening, wherein the diameter-compensating element being pivotable downwardly and upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kaupp, Falk Schaal
  • Patent number: 6681519
    Abstract: A self-clamping Christmas tree stand provides a stable platform for a Christmas tree that allows simple installation and adjustment of the tree angle without having to be positioned under the tree to perform the adjustments. The tree stand uses the weight of the tree to firmly clamp the tree's trunk. A clamping mechanism provides a constant grip that will not loosen unless an upward force is provided by the user. The adjustment range of the tree trunk angle with respect to the vertical plane may be varied to accommodate tree trunks of different shapes. Lastly, the tree stand includes a large liquid reservoir to maintain the tree's moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Richard E. Cone
  • Patent number: 6419202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stand, particularly a stand for the substantially vertical erection of trunks of Christmas trees with adaptation to different sizes and characteristics of the trunks of Christmas trees, with a housing, with a receiving region for the trunk, with a clamping apparatus and with swivel-mounted holding elements, said holding elements being adapted to be swivelled by means of a force-transmission element and the clamping apparatus from and to the longitudinal axis of the trunk of the Christmas tree between an open position, receiving position, for receiving the trunk and a closed position, holding position, for holding the trunk. The housing is of one-part design and the holding elements are mounted on the one-part housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Guenter Thurner
  • Patent number: 5938167
    Abstract: A Christmas tree stand for positioning and securing a tree. The stand includes a tree holder, which has a substantially spherical portion and a fastening portion for affixing the holder to the tree, and a base which has at least three pivotable legs for securing the holder and a receiving portion for receiving the holder. Each of the legs is positioned in such a way that the tree's intrinsic weight causes the legs to press against the holder, thereby securing the holder and the tree. The receiving portion and the legs are constructed with mutually cooperating parts to allow the legs be positioned in an intermediate position when the stand rests on a support, and to allow the holder, which is secured to the tree, to be inserted into the receiving portion of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Skovbunden Aps
    Inventors: Bernt Johan Collet, Peter Ferdinand Collet
  • Patent number: 5673893
    Abstract: A self-adjusting portable tree stand including a rigid annular base; a rigid canister positioned above and in axial alignment with the base; a plurality of rigid elongated holding members with each holding member having a lower end pivotally coupled to the base and tip end with a plurality of teeth formed thereon to create a jaw and with the jaws positioned above the opening of the canister; a coupling mechanism for coupling the canister to the holding members; and a spring mechanism for urging the jaws open prior to insertion and subsequent to removal of a trunk of the tree that is positioned within the canister in an upright orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: William Scott Klein
  • Patent number: 5535977
    Abstract: A cylindrical shaped element supporting structure that includes an inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, knurling circumferentially disposed on the outer surface of the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, at least three supporting stand legs vertically slidably mounted to the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container, and at least three crescent-shaped locking levers each of which being vertically pivotally mounted to a respective one of the at least three supporting stand legs. When the cylindrical shaped element is placed in the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container the weight of the cylindrical shaped element causes the inverted vertically arranged hollow open top frustum-shaped container to slide downwardly along the at least three supporting stand legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: K. Andrew Poeshty
  • Patent number: 5407168
    Abstract: A portable, collapsible stand for supporting a cut tree or other generally cylindrical object in a vertical orientation, comprising a plurality of formed leg pair members (14) connected at their centers and radially arrayed to form a central, vertically oriented chamber (32) into which the object is placed. The weight of the object forces the chamber downwards causing the upper extremes (18,24) of the chamber to grasp the object by a spring force. This chamber is then clamped circumferentially to the object for stability. Means for adjusting the apparent vertical orientation of the supported object operate by changing the angle of the leg sections (12,28) and simultaneously tilting the vertically oriented chamber (32) in the required direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Jerry L. Shultz
  • Patent number: 5337990
    Abstract: A rugged adjustable tree stand designed to hold trees of varying sized in an adjustable upright position and to provide water to prevent drying and shedding of needles from the tree is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Curtis W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5292101
    Abstract: A lockable leveling structure has a vertical stand with a base at one end. The stand has legs pivotally attached and can be locked in a stable manner by a slide collar and thumb screw. The slide collar is movable about the vertical stand and makes a solid contact against the end of the legs causing the outer end of the legs to move up or down respective to one another to compensate for an unlevel support surface. This provides a solid motionless structure that can carry a load bearing fixture in desired degree of levelness in a safe, stable, novel manner without the use of shims, or altering the surface while on unlevel surfaces. The slide collar is unlocked and raised up the stand member allowing the bottom of the legs to rotate up toward the vertical stand member causing the structure to be in a compact package for storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Robert M. Henson
  • Patent number: 5195715
    Abstract: A tree holder, suitable for holding the trunk of a cut-off tree in an upright attitude includes a cup into which the lower end of the trunk is placed, the cup having a lip from which a skirt extends downwardly and outwardly. The skirt has the shape of a frustrum of a cone. Three legs are slidably attached to the skirt on its inside, and each leg can be slid toward and away from the vertex of the cone independently. Each leg is slid upwardly with respect to the skirt until the upper end of the leg is in firm contact with the trunk of the tree. At that point, the skirt and the leg are drawn together by tightening a threaded fastener, thereby clamping the leg to the skirt. The tree holder is notable for its simplicity of design and for its ability to accommodate asymmetric and crooked tree trunks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mitchell Associates
    Inventor: Richard E. Cone
  • Patent number: 4949502
    Abstract: A holder for Christmas trees which includes a container supported above ground level, legs to support the weight of the tree attached to the container, and holding members extending from the legs. The container is provided with sharpened points or a spike upon which the tree base rests, and can hold a reservoir of water. The legs are mounted to the container so that as the weight of the tree depresses the container, the legs spread on the floor and the holding members are forced to engage the tree trunk and hold it in place. Springs are provided at the point at which the legs are attached to the container so that the container may set above ground level at rest position with the holding members spread wide enough to accommodate various tree trunk sizes. Alternatively, a resilient stabilizing member integral with the legs and extending over the rim and into the container is provided which acts similarly to the springs of the first embodiment to hold the legs open prior to tree insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: William E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4894949
    Abstract: A holder for Christmas trees which includes a container supported above ground level, legs to support the weight of the tree attached to the container, and holding members extending from the legs. The container is provided with sharpened points or a spike upon which the tree base rests, and can hold a reservoir of water. The legs are mounted to the container so that as the weight of the tree depresses the container, the legs spread on the floor and the holding members are forced to engage the tree trunk and hold it in place. Springs are provided at the point at which the legs are attached to the container so that the container may set above ground level at rest position with the holding members spread wide enough to accommodate various tree trunck sizes.Alternatively, a resilient stabilizing member integral with the legs and extending over the rim and into the container is provided which acts similarly to the springs of the first embodiment to hold the legs open prior to tree insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: William E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4834335
    Abstract: A tree stand for holding a tree, such as a Christmas tree, in an upright position comprises a ring, a container having an open top, a closed bottom, a diameter which is less than the diameter of the ring and hook formations at the top of the container for engaging the ring so that the container depends from the ring. A plurality of legs is provided. Each leg has an upper section and a partially circular upwardly facing notch for engaging and supporting the ring in such a manner that the upper section of each leg pivots inwardly against a trunk of a tree when a cut lower end edge of the trunk of the tree is placed within the container and creates a downward force by virtue of the weight of the tree upon the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Jose Attar
  • Patent number: 4796382
    Abstract: A holder for Christmas trees which includes a container supported above ground level, legs to support the weight of the tree attached to the container, and holding members extending from the legs. The container is provided with a sharpened point or spike upon which the tree base rests, and can hold a reservoir of water. The legs are mounted to the container so that as the weight of the tree depresses the container, the legs spread on the floor and the holding members are forced to engage the tree trunk and hold it in place. Springs are provided at the point at which the legs are attached to the container so that the container may set above ground level at rest position with the holding members spread wide enough to accommodate various tree trunk sizes. Stabilizing pads are provided on the base of the legs at the contact with the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: William E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4771978
    Abstract: An articulated vertical support stand having an articulated base plate for holding and supporting cut trees or staffs having an irregularly shaped, curved or twisted trunk in a substantially vertical, upright position. A horizontally oriented base plate having a central opening is supported by three support members pivotally and removably attached to the base plate at points equidistantly spaced about the periphery of the base plate forming joints allowing articulation therebetween. The support members having sharpened spikes protruding from their upper ends for engaging and gripping the lower portion of the trunk when the lower portion of the trunk is inserted through the opening. The base plate includes a plurality of cam means pivotally attached to its lower surface for engaging the lower portion of the trunk protruding through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventors: Marven J. Lofquist, John W. Isaac
  • Patent number: 4676471
    Abstract: A portable stand for supporting a tree in an erect upright position off the ground including at least three legs which radially extend from a common central location in which the tree is placed, cross brace members which connect the legs for pivotal motion about common points of attachment, a container for the tree and arm supports pivotally connected to the cross brace members and the container such that the container moves vertically down in response to the weight of the tree until the legs grip the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Charles E. Moore
  • Patent number: 4611781
    Abstract: A support stand, in particular for holding trees which are to be put up, comprising a sleeve portion for receiving the stem of the tree therein and support legs which are disposed on the sleeve portion is to be very easy to connect to the tree, is to hold the tree in the position of use in a satisfactory manner and is also to be removable from the tree again without serious difficulty.For that purpose it is provided that the support legs are joined to the sleeve portion by way of a hinge and engage over the sleeve portion by means of a holder, over a given length. The holder is in the form of a point and can be engaged into the wood of the stem of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Martin Wiegand
  • Patent number: 4007901
    Abstract: A low cost, easily installed, support base for Christmas trees and the like including a water retaining base support vessel, and an angulated base on which the base support vessel rests and to which support members are pivotally attached. Each support member includes a leg, an upwardly and inwardly extending arm, and a partial collar attached to the end of the arm and adapted to engage a tree trunk. The relationship of the arm to the leg of each support member is such that the support stand will present a low silhouette and slim profile during use and will largely be hidden by the limbs of a tree supported by the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Inventors: Angelo J. Mancini, Ronald W. Galloway