Constrained, Interconnected Components Patents (Class 312/271)
  • Patent number: 11851934
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. While a user is holding an object in both hands, a door may be automatically and additionally opened using another part of a body other than hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehoon Shin, Myoungju Kang, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11797060
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided, which includes a first body, a second body, and a pivot structure connecting the first body and the second body. The pivot structure includes a shaft with an axis, a first assembling element assembled with the shaft and connected with the first body and a second assembling element pivotally connected to the shaft and connected with the second body. The second assembling element includes an abutting portion. When at the first position, the abutting portion and the first assembling element are located on the same side relative to the axis. When at the second position, the abutting portion rotates around the axis and is located on a different side relative to the axis, and the abutting portion abuts the abutting surface to generate an abutting force. Then the first body rises and an angle relative to the abutting surface is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Xian Zhong, Shih-Wei Chiu
  • Patent number: 11781264
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus has a cabinet, a laundry receiving space in the cabinet and providing a predetermined space for accommodate laundry. A laundry introduction opening in a front surface of the cabinet and communicating with the laundry receiving space, a door coupled to the cabinet and configured to open and close the laundry receiving space, a supply unit configured to supply at least one of air or water to the laundry receiving space, and a presser configured to form creases of pants or unfold wrinkles of pants. The presser has a housing on the laundry receiving space, a housing chamber in the housing and providing a space in which pants are secured thereto, a housing door rotatably coupled to the housing and configured to open and close the housing chamber, and a housing guide configured to withdraw the housing from the laundry receiving space through the laundry introduction opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Donghwan Lee, Myungshik Kim, Jeaseok Seong, Sungkyong Han, Junyi Heo
  • Patent number: 11714462
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include: a body provided with a computing system; a hinge assembly adjacent to one side of the body and installed inside of the body; and a display part including a display panel for displaying a screen, wherein the display part is pivotable with respect to the body and is connected to the hinge assembly, wherein the hinge assembly may include: a hinge shaft; a first coupling part adjacent to one end of the hinge shaft, extended from an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft, and fixed to the display part; a second coupling part rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft and that is fixed to the body; and a foot plate pivotably coupled to the second coupling part and pivotable with the second coupling part according to the rotation of the hinge shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Donghyok Shin, Dongjoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11470730
    Abstract: The present disclosure envisages a housing (1000). The housing (1000) has an operative upper compartment (200) and an operative lower compartment (100). A first lid (110) and a second lid (210) cover the lower and the upper compartments (100, 200) respectively. The lid (210) is openable. A panel (400) is configured to be inserted between the lower compartment (100) and the upper compartment (200) thus forming a partition between the compartments. The housing (1000) of the present disclosure, when utilized for housing data distribution elements and electrical power distribution elements separately in its compartments, provides safe access to the data distribution elements and prevents risk of touching live electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Appleton Grp LLC
    Inventors: Shriram R. Divekar, Amit S. Kulkarni, Abdulkhadar F. Goravankoll
  • Patent number: 11269383
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a base, a cover and a hinge module. The hinge module includes a hinge assembly, a support component, and an elastic component. The hinge assembly is pivoted to the base and the cover. The hinge assembly has a push portion and a rotating shaft portion. The push portion is connected to the base, and the rotating shaft portion is connected to the cover and is rotatably connected to the push portion. The support component is movably connected to the rotating shaft portion and leans against the push portion. The elastic component is connected between the rotating shaft portion and the support component. When the cover is unfolded relative to the base, the push portion pushes the support component to drive the elastic component to be extended, so that a support end of the support component protrudes from the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chao-Kai Huang
  • Patent number: 10831245
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a hinge device rotatably connecting a main body chassis and a display chassis, a notch-shaped part provided in a bottom surface of the main body chassis at a position overlapping with at least a part of the hinge device and formed by removing a part of the bottom surface from its one edge part toward the other edge part, a support base made of resin and provided so as to cover a part of the notch-shaped part, and a rubber foot provided on the support base and protruding from the bottom surface of the main body chassis through the notch-shaped part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tabito Miyamoto, Sara Akiyama, Hiroaki Kinoshita, Shinichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 10711417
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and temporarily storing animal waste such as dog droppings includes a portable storage container with a pivoting lid movable between an open position and a closed position to keep contents dry. The container is adapted to receive and secure thereto a removable liner bag for easy disposal of the waste. A handle attached to the container pivots the lid open and closed with one position exposing the interior space from above for ease of adding and removing liner bags. A removable waste scooper is suspended from an outer wall of the container. The user need only touch the handle and a scooper when depositing droppings into the bag. The lid extends over an upper mouth of the container to prevent water from rain or sprinklers from seeping into the inner space. Custom compostable liner bags may be provided with lobes that are captured within bag retainers on front and rear walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Sandy Stinson
  • Patent number: 9983636
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly (70) and a tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10). The hinge assembly (70) comprises a hinge (40) for pivotably connecting a base member (20) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) to a tablet member (30) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10); an actuator (51) fixed to the hinge (40); and a support member (50) pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) via a pivot shaft (52). When the tablet member (30) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member (20), the support member (50) is actuated by the actuator (51), rotates away from the tablet member (30), and provides addition support for the tablet member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Chi-chung Ho
  • Patent number: 9671830
    Abstract: An electronic device including a main body and a stand module is provided. The stand module includes a supporting component and a sliding component. The supporting component is pivoted to the main body. The sliding component is slidably disposed to the main body and has an end. The sliding component is adapted to slide to a first position such that the end protrudes out of the main body. The end is adapted to receive an external force to move inside the main body, such that the sliding component slides to a second position and drives the supporting component to expand from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Hung Chen, Tzu-Chien Lai, Cheng-Ya Chi
  • Patent number: 9582048
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly (70) and a tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10). The hinge assembly (70) comprises a hinge (40) for pivotably connecting a base member (20) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) to a tablet member (30) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10); an actuator (51) fixed to the hinge (40); and a support member (50) pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) via a pivot shaft (52). When the tablet member (30) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member (20), the support member (50) is actuated by the actuator (51), rotates away from the tablet member (30), and provides addition support for the tablet member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Chi-chung Ho
  • Patent number: 9297583
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry drying rack. The laundry drying rack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of fixing hangers disposed in parallel to each other on a drying rack frame on which laundry is hung, a plurality of oscillating links each performing a swing motion with respect to each fixing hanger as a pivot axis, a plurality of oscillating hangers each connected to a lower end of the oscillating link and shaking the laundry, hung on the fixing hanger, at the bottom of the corresponding fixing hanger, a driving unit generating power, and an electric unit providing the power generated by the driving unit as an oscillating force for the oscillating links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoon Su Baek, Jong Hyun Choi, Myung Hoon Sim, Dong Hee Ahn, Nu Ri Seo
  • Patent number: 9074807
    Abstract: Reclosable compartment for refrigerators, particularly suitable for incorporation in removable shelves, openable and reclosable by means of a front cover (30) which is rotatable around a first set of pins (70) on the lateral portions (50, 60) of the said container. In the closed configuration at least one portion of this front cover (30) is in a substantially vertical position, while in the open configuration the said portion (30) is in a substantially horizontal position. The said container also has an auxiliary upper cover (40) rotationally coupled to the lateral portions (50, 60), and rotatable around a second set of pins (80) during its opening and/or closing movement, through contact with the said front cover (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alberto Borgonovo, Fabio Moneta
  • Patent number: 8804341
    Abstract: A container data center includes a container, and a number of cabinets arranged in the container. A shockproof device is mounted at the bottom of the cabinet. A support apparatus is mounted at the top of the cabinet. A sleeve is fixed on the top of the cabinet. The supporting apparatus includes a connecting member. The connecting member includes a first end fixed to the top of the container, and a second end opposite to the first end slidably received in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Chung Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8556355
    Abstract: An adaptable furniture system includes at least one first article of furniture and at least one second article of furniture. The adaptable furniture system further includes a moving system for moving at least one of the at least one first article of furniture and the at least one second article of furniture, where a forward movement of the at least one second article of furniture is associated with a lowering movement of the at least one first article of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Bertram M. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8549872
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cold air generator configured to generate cold air. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber configured to receive the cold air generated by the cold air generator. The refrigerator further includes a first storage chamber door configured to open and close an access point to the first storage chamber and configured to store at least one of food and ice stuffs. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second storage chamber, having a container and positioned on the first storage chamber, wherein the second storage chamber is configured to be movable in front and rear directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Sik Kwon, Yong Hun Chang, Jung Yeon Hwang, Seon Il Yu
  • Publication number: 20130113345
    Abstract: In an embodiment, articles are left in storage areas, such as lockers or other receptacles that may be associated with a household services company. A divided storage receptacle is discussed. The receptacle is divided by an angled plane such that the top portion may be used to hang clothes of various lengths thereby utilizing the space efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Laundry Locker, Inc.
    Inventor: Laundry Locker, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8113606
    Abstract: An adaptable furniture system includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion; at least one upper article of furniture located in the upper portion of the frame; at least one lower article of furniture located in the lower portion of the frame and underneath the at least one upper article; a moving system attached to the frame and the at least one upper article for moving the at least one upper article vertically within the frame; and a sliding system attached the at least one lower article to the frame for moving the at least one lower article forward and backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Bertram M. Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20090267469
    Abstract: An outdoor furniture includes a main body with at least one compartment and one door to close the compartment. The main body has at least one transverse recess intended to hold an organ for moving the furniture. The recesses have longitudinal parallel and/or perpendicular axes to allow the outdoor furniture to be handled from at least one side of the main body or from at least two contiguous sides of the main body. The main body can be in one block made of molded plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ETS A. DESCHAMPS ET FILS
    Inventor: Gaelle STUIT
  • Publication number: 20090090651
    Abstract: The invention provides a craft board comprising a base and a cover. The board also comprises a plurality of hinge locations about which the base and cover can rotate relative to each other and selectively engageable hinge means arranged to allow engagement and disengagement between the base and the cover at the plurality of hinge locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: HELIX GROUP PLC
    Inventor: Tim BRADLEY
  • Publication number: 20080203871
    Abstract: A door is provided, comprising one or more frames with grooves, one or more insert panel spacers comprising a foamed adhesive, and one or more door insert panels. Also, a method for centering a door panel is provided, comprising the steps of applying a foamed hot melt adhesive to the groove of a door frame component and inserting the door panel into the groove. Further, a system for centering a door panel is provided, comprising a hot foam melt adhesive, an apparatus for applying the hot foam melt adhesive to the groove of a door frame component, and an apparatus for inserting the door panel into the groove. The foamed hot melt adhesive may be formulated by aerating the hot foam with a gas, which may be an inert gas, such as nitrogen. Benefits of the invention include centering a door insert panel and allowing room for the panel to expand and contract with changes in moisture content of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Robinson
  • Patent number: 7151662
    Abstract: A bracket element for a prefabricated distribution device enclosure includes a body having a front surface, a rear surface and at least one side surface connecting the front surface to the rear surface. The bracket element includes a module opening extending through a portion of the front surface for at least partially receiving a communications module therein. The bracket element also includes an enclosure connection orifice arrangement of a plurality of enclosure connection orifices located on one of the side surface and/or the rear surface. An attachment mechanism is in operable communication with one or more of the enclosure connection orifices for securing the bracket element to a surface of the distribution device enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Greyfox Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Tarkoff, Dale E. Pfeifer, John M. Liston
  • Patent number: 6675979
    Abstract: A furniture assembly system utilizes upright members having a pair of protruding hook portions that cooperate with a similar pair of hook portions of another upright member and mutually interconnect through slots in a shelf to hold the shelf in place. A plug inserts into an aperture formed by the interconnecting hook portions to hold the upright members in place and secondarily to provide further support to the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Albert Taylor
  • Patent number: 6622740
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine comprises a stationary housing with an open front face and at least two structures for supporting wash load items. The support structures are able to slide horizontally with respect to the housing through the open front face of the housing. At least one of the support structures is capable of sliding horizontally jointly with a door, which closes the open front face of the housing, and is adapted to move in a substantially vertical direction along an inner surface of the door. The inner surface of the door is able to accommodate the front bulk of at least another one of the remaining support structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Durazzani
  • Patent number: 6412889
    Abstract: An organizer for orientation of desk top items includes a frame, having a front, back and two sides, for receiving a plurality of modules, orienting the modules vertically within the frame between to two sides and enabling access to the modules from the frame front and a plurality of modules and a bracket for attaching one of the frame sides to a generally vertical surface. The bracket includes a body for engaging the frame, a bendable tab extending from a top of said body for attaching said body to a top of the computer monitor, and a rear tab, hingeably attached to a rear of said body, for attaching said body rear to a side of the computer monitor, the hingeable attachment enabling stabilization of the body rear at a spaced apart relationship with the computer monitor side. One of the modules may include interface connections for contact with a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Stomp, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hummell, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Holowatch, Kevin Topp
  • Publication number: 20020040880
    Abstract: An organizer is provided, having a holder and at least one container unit, the at least one container unit comprising a housing having opposing side walls, and a plurality of bins mounted between the side walls for rotation between closed and open positions, such that in the closed position, outer faces of the bins are generally coplanar, and in the open position, the outer faces each angle outwardly from the housing, thereby providing access into the bins, the bins being connected together for movement in unison, the outer faces occupying substantially all of a front portion of the housing. The holder has at least upper and lower elements, the at least one container unit being securable between the upper and lower elements. Each container unit has at least one tab at the bottom thereof, to insert into a corresponding slot in one of the upper and lower elements, and at least one catch to engage a corresponding means in the other of the upper and lower elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Kailash C. Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 6053589
    Abstract: An automatic inclination device for a portable or notebook computer. It includes: (a) a base, on which an operation board is mounted; (b) a cover, pivotally connecting on an axis to a portion of the base; (c) a driving element, which is fixed to the cover and is coaxial with the axis, such that the driving element rotates when the cover is pivotally opened or closed; and (d) a driven element, engaged with the driving element to move therewith. The driven element is structured to move a stand to either come out from a cavity formed under the base near the pivotal portion so as to cause an associated portion of the base to rise up and the operation board to be in an inclined position, or retrieve into the cavity when the cover is opened and closed, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the driving element is a ring gear the driven is a rack gear, and the stand is an extension of the rack gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Inventec Corp.
    Inventor: Jing-Jye Lin
  • Patent number: 6006903
    Abstract: A cigar humidor is provided which effectively and conveniently humidifies cigars. The cigar humidor is preferably a square box-like shape which is bisected at diametrically opposed corners into two equal half sections. The humidor is hinged along one corner and closed along the diametrically opposed corner preferably by magnets. A support for vertically holding the cigars is attached at the hinged corner exposing all the cigars for easy accessibility when the humidor is opened by spreading apart the hinged sections. Humidifying means is provided below the lower end of the cigars and rising humid air contacts the lower end of the cigars which are supported in the humidor. The cigar support preferably has a slidable drawer at the lower end thereof to hold the humidifying means. The cigars rest in through holes which holes communicate with the humidifying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Cigar Savors Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Henry S. Milone
  • Patent number: 5902028
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher box is composed of a box body in which a base frame and a link mechanism are mounted. The base frame is fastened pivotally with a seat for locating the fire extinguisher in the box body. The link mechanism is composed of an upright rod fastened with the base frame, a first link rod fastened with the upright rod, and a second link rod coupled with the first link rod and a pull rod of a door of the box body. As the door of the box body is opened, the link mechanism is actuated by the pull rod such that the base frame is driven by the link mechanism to locate at an inclined position, thereby causing the fire extinguisher to locate likewise so as to enable a person to remove the fire extinguisher from the box body easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventors: Wen-Chien Hsu, Tin-Huang Hsiao
  • Patent number: 5800029
    Abstract: A cabinet for a sewing machine or the like defines a chamber having a front and a back including a back panel. A pull-out platform for the machine is supported in the chamber for motion inwardly and outwardly of the front thereof and defines a generally horizontal working surface. The back panel is flexibly connected to the platform for movement therewith from (A) a generally vertical position wherein the back panel closes the back of the chamber (e.g. during machine storage, the vertical position corresponding to an innermost position of the platform), to (B) a generally horizontal position wherein the back panel is in generally co-planar relation to the platform (to provide a large working surface) and the back of the chamber is open (to allow fabric etc. being worked on to be moved through the open back). The horizontal position also corresponds to an outermost position of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Suite Solutions Designs Ltd.
    Inventors: Joann Robertson, Andy Holisky
  • Patent number: 5755499
    Abstract: A device for separately storing items which are intended to be used together. The device has a pivotable front wall which exposes items stored therewithin when opened. As the pivotable front wall is opened, a linkage assembly between the pivotable frontwall and an elevating platform simultaneously raises an elevating platform and contents stored thereon, thereby allowing access to these items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Norman C. Hillesland
  • Patent number: 5746489
    Abstract: An improved desk for a computer system capable of maximizing the usable surface of the upper surface of the desk by selectively hiding the monitor under the desk, which includes a desk body internally provided with a monitor, the monitor being lifted or lowered; a monitor frame to which the monitor is engaged; a support member for fixing the monitor frame to the desk body; and a driving member for lifting/lowering the monitor frame, so that the monitor can be lifted onto the desk body or lowered under the table in cooperation with the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Jae-Nyun Moon
  • Patent number: 5474374
    Abstract: A sliding tray assembly for mounting in a kitchen cabinet or the like. The edges of the tray panel are received in guide channels, and a drawbar is attached to the cabinet door to automatically slide the tray in and out. The forward end of the panel is radiused off at one corner to clear the inside of the door, and the bracket for mounting the rearward end of the drawbar to the panel is configured to allow the panel to be inverted for left- or right-hand installations. The bracket also provides a backstop for retaining articles on the tray panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Dennis L. Sandvig
  • Patent number: 5425577
    Abstract: A storage file includes a cabinet enclosure with five closed and one open side. A tray is received in the cabinet enclosure. The tray is selectively moveable by sliding between fully opened and fully closed positions. A retractable door is mounted to the cabinet enclosure. A spring loaded linkage connects the retractable door to the tray. When the tray is opened, the door retracts, by operation of the linkage, into the cabinet enclosure exposing the tray and its contents. When the tray is closed, the door is closed by operation of the linkage thereby sealing the contents in the tray within the cabinet enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Gembler
  • Patent number: 5118175
    Abstract: A gun locker includes a housing having a rear wall and a front door. The door is pivotally opened. A locking mechanism enables the door to be opened for access to the interior of the housing. A gun holster is positioned in the housing. The holster is formed of a main gun cavity and a pair of end straps. The plane of the gun cavity and the end straps are perpendicular to the plane of the door when the door is opened. One of the straps is secured between the rear edge of the holster gun cavity and the rear wall of the enclosure and the other end strap is secured between the front edge of the holster gun cavity and the interior surface of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Costello Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Costello
  • Patent number: 5096317
    Abstract: A cover apparatus including a transparent housing overlying a computer keyboard, wherein the cover apparatus includes a plurality of forward and rear side walls defining rows of openings, wherein each row of openings is arranged overlying rows of computer keys. The openings are provided with cover housings to selectively cover individual or the plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys of the computer keyboard is positioned within the openings to provide selective covering thereof to minimize inadvertent pressing of such keys in usage of the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Kerin L. Phillippe
  • Patent number: 4740043
    Abstract: A device for preventing a food tray from falling into a waste can is mounted to a can housing and presents one or more hook arms which arrest the tray as it is being inserted into the housing for emptying into the can. The tray is retained in a position such that it is visible from and can be retrieved from outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Jack J. Kennamer
  • Patent number: 4627672
    Abstract: A rack formed by a window-like framework is adapted to support various holders for organizing articles in a cabinet and is adapted to be pulled from a stored position in the cabinet to an accessible position in which substantially the entire rack is disposed completely outside the cabinet. The rack is carried by a bottom-supported mounting assembly having pivoted arms which collapse toward one another as the rack is moved inwardly to its stored position and expand away from one another to form a double-triangular bracing structure as the rack is pulled outwardly to its accessible position. The arms coact with guide rollers on the bottom of the cabinet to hold the rack stable in each of its positions without need of any top support for the rack. One of the holders which is supported by the rack is a wire-grid book shelf equipped with an adjustable bookend which is held by the grids of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Amerock Corporation
    Inventor: William DeBruyn
  • Patent number: 4624511
    Abstract: A cabinet has drawers mounted for movement in and out of the cabinet to prevent the cabinet from tipping when one or more of those drawers are displaced outside the cabinet while still attached to the cabinet, a stabilizer leg is provided with an interlock. The interlock prevents the drawer from being removed and tipping the cabinet until the stabilizer leg is in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Oehme
  • Patent number: 4588236
    Abstract: A rotary file cabinet having two opposed open sides and two opposed walled sides mounted upon a rotatable base for selective rotation to present either its open or walled sides to face the user; the cabinet being of quadrate form adapted to be aligned in a row with similar cabinets and in spaced relation to each other so as to enable free unobstructed rotation of one relative to the other; the cabinet having a door hinged to each vertical side of each side wall thereof adapted in a closed condition to cover over one-half of the spacing between the cabinet and its neighbors so as to present with a similar condition of the neighboring cabinets a continuous wall appearance; and the cabinet including spring loaded lever means connecting diagonally opposed doors of the cabinet with each other, the lever means adapted upon an initial manual turning of a selected door to effect a corresponding turning of the opposed door and adapted upon the doors being turned approximately 90 degrees to react and cause both opposed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Frank Potter
  • Patent number: 4568132
    Abstract: A lift mechanism provides for movement of a platform, or the like, vertically within a cabinet between use and storage positions and is characterized as featuring a compact supporting and guide structure, wherein electrical controls defining the extent of vertical movement of the platform are carried for movement therewith. A safety mechanism is provided to interconnect cabinet lid lifting/lowering stay arms to the platform in a manner serving to prevent pinching of the fingers of a user by the lid, as the latter is moved into a cabinet closed position incident to movement of the platform into its storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Weber-Knapp Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Watt
  • Patent number: 4441770
    Abstract: A freestanding appliance cabinet of the type having a door hinged to swing outwardly to provide access to the inside of the cabinet has an anti-tip member supported within the cabinet for movement of the cabinet to a tip-preventing position. The anti-tip member is interconnected with the door so that it is moved outwardly to its tip-preventing position when the door is open. The anti-tip member is adapted to provide support to the cabinet whereby tipping of the cabinet in a forwardly direction in response to force exerted downwardly on the open door surface is prevented. The anti-tip member has means operable to lock the member to the cabinet in the event that a tipping force is exerted on some part of the cabinet other than the door to further prevent tilting of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bernard J. Brezosky
  • Patent number: 4325595
    Abstract: A device for storing index or file cards in which one wall of the device is pivotally mounted to the compartment containing the cards is disclosed. In addition, a cover hingedly mounted to the compartment serves to restrict travel of the pivotally mounted wall when the cover is lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Oxford Pendaflex Corp.
    Inventor: Jack Solomon
  • Patent number: 4283097
    Abstract: A cassette for banknotes and like valuable articles is provided with a displaceable lid (6) and locking means (10) for latching the lid of the cassette when the cassette is located outside a housing (25) in which it is intended to be placed. An operating means (8) is arranged to co-act with the locking means and with a latching element (15). The latching element is arranged to be released in dependence upon a pre-set program. A signal circuit is arranged to send a code signal to a detector circuit (23) when electrical contact elements on the cassette and the housing co-act with one another, which detector circuit, when the signal coincides with the signal program in the detector circuit, causes a signal to be sent for moving the latching means to a non-latching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Inventor: Leif Lundblad
  • Patent number: 4150861
    Abstract: An article of furniture for campers having a stationary first storage cabinet movable from a first rest position forwardly of the first stationary cabinet to a second rest position on top of the stationary or first storage cabinet. A linkage system connects the two cabinets and has two symmetrical rigid levers pivotally mounted on opposite end sides of the stationary storage cabinet. Each lever has a longer arm and a second shorter arm therewith offset a given angle less than 90.degree. from the longer arm thereof. The levers are pivotally mounted on respective opposite end sides of the movable storage cabinet at a position of junctions of the two arms of each lever. The pivotal connection is made in a plane in which the center of gravity of the movable storage cabinet is disposed. A lift bar for lifting the movable cabinet is secured to the lever arms so that the movable cabinet can be readily moved from one rest position to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Inventor: Michel Dufrancatel
  • Patent number: 4108517
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a desk with a roll-top door, slidably moveable along a pair of parallel guideways. The door includes a plurality of slats articulated to one another by a flexible backing sheet. Each of the guideways is formed with walls defining two slots: one for fixedly engaging an edge of the desk to which the guideway is mounted; the other slot for slidably receiving an edge of the door. The guideways are made of flexible plastic and are adapted to be bent and attached to the desk in a shape conforming to the desired arcuate path along which the roll-top door is to slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Roth American, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Tomalinas, Jr., Herbert S. Gurbst
  • Patent number: 4091918
    Abstract: A container having a hollow base and a lid pivotally mounted on the base can be constructed so as to utilize a carrier pivotally mounted on the lid adjacent to the rear of the lid. With this structure when the lid is moved from a closed to an open position the rear of the carrier is elevated. The front of the carrier is pivotally connected to the front of the base through the use of a link which accommodates movement of the carrier toward the rear of the container as the lid is opened. In a preferred utilization of the invention the carrier is shaped so as to carry a "load" consisting of a stack of index cards in such a manner that the index cards are capable of being moved between "storage" positions in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly of the carrier and "open" positions in which they extend upwardly toward the front of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Eldon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George Soulakis, Charles G. Mandala
  • Patent number: 4006950
    Abstract: A mesh adapted to be lowered on a group of dishes contained in a work-basket of a dish washing machine. The mesh is limp and drapes from its weight over and around the dishes to maintain them as deposited and apart from each other. A mechanized application locates the mesh overhead in the dish washing machine, and causes it to be lowered automatically as stated on the insertion of the dish-loaded work-basket into the machine and raised back to the overhead position on the withdrawal of the work-basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1977
    Inventor: James M. Murray
  • Patent number: RE30624
    Abstract: A container having a hollow base and a lid pivotally mounted on the base can be constructed so as to utilize a carrier pivotally mounted on the lid adjacent to the rear of the lid. With this structure when the lid is moved from a closed to an open position the rear of the carrier is elevated. The front of the carrier is pivotally connected to the front of the base through the use of a link which accommodates movement of the carrier toward the rear of the container as the lid is opened. In a preferred utilization of the invention the carrier is shaped so as to carry a "load" consisting of a stack of index cards in such a manner that the index cards are capable of being moved between "storage" positions in which they extend upwardly and rearwardly of the carrier and "open" positions in which they extend upwardly toward the front of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Eldon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George Soulakis, Charles G. Mandala
  • Patent number: RE36379
    Abstract: A tool chest includes a lidded base defining a storage compartment therein and a pegboard-type tool pallet adapted to carry tools on an obverse side thereof and shiftable between a first position overlying and covering the storage compartment with the obverse side up, and a second position upstanding from the rear end of the base with the obverse side forward and supported against the open lid for uncovering and providing access to the storage compartment. In one embodiment the pallet is pivotally connected to the base with a link arm and has handles for lifting the pallet between its first and second position. In a second embodiment the pallet is pivotally connected to the lid so that when the lid is opened it pulls the pallet up to its second position. The front end of the pallet has pins or rollers supported on guide rails for guiding movement between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Slivon, Nancy C. Rittmann Gasperi, Kenneth C. Happ, Erick E. Alfaro, Roman L. Bauer, Alex F. Burns, Jason Chak Chung Chan, Alois Kadlecek, George A. Niles