Rotary Operator Patents (Class 312/319.7)
  • Patent number: 11555269
    Abstract: A duplex washing machine with an automatically openable drawer comprises a base, a drawer, and an automatic ejection device. The drawer is positioned in a housing of the washing machine; an opening through which the drawer is pulled and pushed to be opened and closed is formed in the housing; the automatic ejection device is arranged under the drawer and comprises a device body and a telescopic rod; an extension end of the telescopic rod is fixed with the drawer; the other end of the telescopic rod extends into the device body; the device body is fixedly connected to the base of the washing machine; and the device body drives the drawer to move into or out of the housing through the telescopic rod. According to the duplex washing machine, a user can open or close the drawer through one-click operation, such as simply pressing a button or touching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: CHONGQING HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenwei Li, Shaolei Yi, Yongshun Hou
  • Patent number: 11511437
    Abstract: A wheeled base includes a housing, two driven wheeled mechanisms positioned on a bottom of the housing and on opposite sides of the housing, at least one passive wheel positioned on the bottom of the housing, actuated feet positioned on the bottom of the housing and configured to move up and down, sensors, and a battery pack arranged within the housing. The two driven wheeled mechanisms each includes a damping mechanism, and each damping mechanism includes at least two dampers configured to absorb impact caused by an upward movement of the housing, and absorb impact caused by a downward movement of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Marten Byl, Chengkun Zhang, Raymond Ma, Muhammed Rasid Pac, Huan Tan, Youjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 11466500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of a drive device on a door that can be arranged such that it is pivotable on a housing of an appliance, particularly a cooling and/or refrigerating appliance, in which the drive device designed to pivot the door in relation to the housing is mounted on the door, said drive device comprising: a hinge comprising at least one first hinge part attached to the door and at least one second hinge part which is attached to the housing; at least one drive motor; at least one transmission element which is coupled to the hinge in an at least indirectly articulated manner and can be at least indirectly driven by means of the drive motor; and a coupling device that can switch between at least one coupling state in which the transmission element is coupled to the drive motor and at least one uncoupling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Apparatebau Gronbach S.r.l.
    Inventor: Gerold Meurer
  • Patent number: 11243025
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; a drawer door assembly including a front panel door part and a drawer part that defines an accommodation space; a rail that movably configured to connect the drawer door assembly to the cabinet and enable the drawer door assembly to insert into and withdraw from the cabinet; a driving device located at the front panel door part and configured to provide power; and an elevation device located in the drawer part and configured to be coupled to the driving device and elevate a portion of the drawer part relative to the front panel door part. The driving device includes: a motor assembly configured to provide driving force; a screw assembly configured to perform an elevation operation based on the driving force; and a lever that connects the screw assembly to the elevation device and that is configured to rotate based on the elevation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kwanghyun Choi
  • Patent number: 11098700
    Abstract: An enclosure and a dynamic heat dissipation method for a heat source inside the enclosure and a dynamic heat dissipation system are provided. The dynamic heat dissipation method includes: acquiring a relatively low temperature area of the enclosure; and driving the heat source to move to the relatively low temperature area. A heat source, which is conventionally at a relatively fixed position, is artificially and actively transformed into a mobile heat source, so as to allow the heat source to be self-adapted to the temperature field; a relatively low temperature area inside the enclosure is searched, taking advantage of the characteristics of temperature differences, the position of the heat source is adjusted and the heat dissipation layout is adjusted, thereby providing the heat source with an optimal heat transfer direction from inside to outside and an enclosure environment where the heat is dissipated at a maximum rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Beijing Goldwind Science & Creation Windpower Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shengjun Ma
  • Patent number: 11060268
    Abstract: A modular plumbing system having one or more carriers each attached to a carrier mount that may be joined to one or more base rails. The modular plumbing system may be transported to a construction site fully assembled and ready to be installed by anchoring the plumbing system to a floor and connecting plumbing lines within the plumbing system to existing plumbing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Conivate IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Snyder, Jr., Michael Richard Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10876789
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator. Specifically, a refrigerator that is capable of enabling a user to easily introduce or remove goods into or from the refrigerator is disclosed. More specifically, a refrigerator that is capable of enabling a drawer for receiving goods to be more conveniently used is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Daejin Choi, Donghoon Lee, Changwoan Yang, Dongjeong Kim, Wonsup Bae, Jinsung Kim
  • Patent number: 10612836
    Abstract: A refrigerator that is capable of enabling user to easily introduce or remove goods into or from the refrigerator is described. More specifically, a refrigerator that is capable of enabling a drawer for receiving goods to be more conveniently used is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Daejin Choi, Donghoon Lee, Changwoan Yang, Dongjeong Kim, Wonsup Bae, Jinsung Kim
  • Patent number: 10159398
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A motor may drive the dishwasher rack. The motor may be coupled to the dishwasher rack by a rack and pinion, a worm screw, and/or the like. The dishwasher rack may be in a manual configuration and/or automatic configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 9682011
    Abstract: A movable medical case includes a medical case housing, a medicine box and drawers. The drawers are installed inside the medicine box. The medicine box is installed inside the medical case housing. Drawer driving devices are installed in the medical case housing. The drawer driving devices pass through the medicine box and are detachably connected with the drawers, and the drawers are driven to get out of or enter the medical case housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: WUXI ROBUST MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tianle Zhang
  • Patent number: 8926028
    Abstract: Display cases for displaying one or more automobile tire rims and related can include a frame and at least one set of rollers disposed on the frame. The set of rollers can include at least one driver roller that is rotatable by a driver. The rollers of the set of rollers are positionable at a distance relative to each other to support a tire rim on the rollers within the housing so that the tire rim is rotatable upon the rotation of the at least one driver roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Norwell Sourcing Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick W. Bach, William D. Bach
  • Publication number: 20140354131
    Abstract: A device and a system may facilitate access to communication connectors, adapters, and/or ports that are supported within a housing, e.g., a rack or cabinet. The system may include one or more of the devices. The system may also include a device that manages, e.g., guides and supports cables that are operatively coupled to the connectors, adapters, and/or ports. The ports may be on a tray that is engaged with the housing. A retainer arm may have first end, and a second end pivotably coupled to the tray. A cable retainer may be coupled to the retainer arm. An actuation mechanism may operably couple the tray to the retainer arm. The actuation mechanism may be configured to move the cable retainer from a first position over the tray to a second position extending beyond a side of the tray as the tray is pulled out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takeuchi, Haiguang Lu
  • Patent number: 8837122
    Abstract: A front panel apparatus improves aesthetic qualities while avoiding interference between a display panel and a surrounding member. The front panel apparatus includes a display panel capable of pivoting in opening and closing directions, power transmission mechanisms that operate in tandem with the opening and closing operations of the display panel, and a lock mechanism that locks the display panel in a closed state and unlocks the display panel. Each power transmission mechanism includes a biasing lever linked to the rear surface of the display panel and capable of advancing and withdrawing, a driving gear, a pivot lever provided on a driving gear and linked to the biasing lever, an intermediate gear that interlocks with the driving gear, and a rack member that interlocks with the intermediate gear and is capable of ascending and descending. The rack members support corresponding pivot support shafts of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Shibuya, Masahi Endo, Kiminori Yabuki
  • Patent number: 8690269
    Abstract: A device for fastening a functional unit in a furniture body includes a support and two retaining elements, wherein the functional unit is pre-installed on the support and the two retaining elements are installed on the furniture body, wherein the retaining elements retain the preferably elongated support at the ends, wherein one retaining element is designed as a hinge and wherein the support is pivotably connected to the retaining element installed on the furniture body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Röck
  • Patent number: 8662606
    Abstract: A cabinet, a drawer assembly and an associated method are provided for controllably limiting the slideable extension of a drawer relative to a cabinet body. The cabinet is configured to store a plurality of medications and includes a cabinet body and a drawer assembly that, in turn, includes a drawer slideably disposed within the cabinet body and an extension control rod. The drawer may include a plurality of pockets for storing respective medications. The drawer may also include an outwardly extending engagement member. The extension control rod may include a plurality of outwardly extending projections that are arranged helically about the rod. As such, engagement of a projection of the extension control rod with the engagement member of the drawer limits further slideable extension of the drawer relative to the cabinet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: McKesson Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Santmyer, Todd Kijowski
  • Patent number: 8653767
    Abstract: The embodiment relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator. The method for controlling a refrigerator including: inputting an opening signal to open a selected door of a plurality of doors; rotating a driving motor to open a selected door; and opening the selected door by pushing the selected door of the plurality of doors by one of a plurality of push members by the rotation of the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myung Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20130257247
    Abstract: A pullout mechanism for a drawer device includes a first and second guide surfaces, each extending from a first end to a second end, and first and second wheels which run on the respective first and second guide surfaces. The wheels are connected together in a rotationally fixed manner by a shaft mounted to the drawer device. The guide surfaces are provided for attachment to or formation on a frame, such as a frame of an interior trim part of a vehicle. Alternatively, the wheels can be connected to the frame and the guide surfaces to the drawer device. The pullout mechanism further includes first and second pulling devices such as cables, each of which at least partially encircles the first and second wheels, respectively, and is fastened in a pre-stressed manner to the two ends of the respective first and second guide surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Volker Doll, Karl-Friedrich Wingert
  • Patent number: 8393694
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a main body provided with a chilly storage, a refrigerator door rotatably coupled to the main body, a home bar at the refrigerator door, the home bar being provided with an opening, and a basket on an inside of the home bar, the basket being configured to store an object, wherein the home bar includes a home bar door rotatably provided on a side of the opening, and a driving device providing a driving force to vertically move the basket according to rotation of the home bar door. A gear assembly is operated while the home bar door is opened or closed, so that the home bar basket can easily move upward or downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yongsoo Ha
  • Patent number: 8336940
    Abstract: A lifting system can be used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a structure such as a vehicle or home. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, workbench, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20120313495
    Abstract: A container data center includes a housing, a driving device, a gear device, and a rope. The hosing includes a sidewall, and the gear device and the driving device are received within the housing. The gear device includes a winding member, one end of the rope is connected to the winding member, and the other end is connected to the rotatable sidewall. The winding member is mechanically connected to the driving device, the driving device drives the winding member to wind or unwind the rope, and the sidewall is closed or opened according to the rotation direction of the winding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: XIAO-YU FAN
  • Patent number: 8297725
    Abstract: A refrigerator equipped with a door opening device opening doors by driving a motor and a method of controlling the same. In the method of controlling the refrigerator includes a door opening device including a plurality of sliding bars selectively opening first and second doors, a motor opening the first door or the second door by moving back and forth the sliding bars in directions opposite to each other, a plurality of position detectors detecting at least one protrusion provided at one side of the sliding bar, a switch unit inputting door opening signals, and a controller controlling operation of the first door and the second door according to the door opening signals. If door opening signals used to open the first and second doors, the door opening device is controlled so that the first and second doors are easily open/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Hyun Kim, Jin Ho Kim, Seok Jun Son
  • Patent number: 8277004
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an opening/closing apparatus. In the refrigerator and opening/closing apparatus, an extendible cabinet with shelves is accommodated in a storing compartment. Therefore, food or other items can be loaded in the cabinet and taken out from the cabinet more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 8096629
    Abstract: Presented herein is a novel sliding door system that that enables adjustment of at least two sliding doors relative to each other such that surfaces of the sliding doors create a substantially flush surface a support onto which the sliding door mechanism is mounted. The system includes at least one inner and outer sliding door slidably coupled to corresponding guide rails. The guide rail that is coupled to the outer sliding door is selectably moveable by a sliding door mechanism between a first and a second position. In the first position, a user can slide outer and inner sliding doors along said guide rails, whereas in the second position, a surface of the outer sliding door is substantially flush with a surface of said inner sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hardoor Mechanism Productions Ltd.
    Inventors: Amos Halfon, Mordechai Harari
  • Patent number: 8061789
    Abstract: A storage device. The storage device has at least one pivot arm that is pivotally mounted to a support frame. A storage rod is attached to the pivot arm(s). The pivot arm(s) control the movement of the storage rod between a conveniently accessible lower use position and an upper storage position. In a preferred embodiment the storage device is mounted inside a closet and is used in conjunction with storage drawers that rest on the floor. Also, in a preferred embodiment a linear actuator is connected to the pivot arm and controls the pivoting of the pivot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Krueger
  • Patent number: 8056992
    Abstract: A coupling is provided for detachably connecting a mobile part of a piece of furniture to a drive. The coupling includes a coupling element that can be moved between the mobile part of the piece of furniture and the drive in a limited manner in at least one direction, in order to compensate for position tolerances in relation to the at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Simon Gassner
  • Publication number: 20110196538
    Abstract: A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Michael
  • Publication number: 20110089795
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cover member attached to and detached from a main body in a sliding manner, and achieves power transmission from the main body to driving elements of the cover member through an electronic clutch, thereby simplifying a power transmission structure and improving reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyung Won Yoon
  • Publication number: 20110050061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture drive with a drive unit which comprises an electric motor and a roller that is rotatable about an axis, the roller having a surface for attaching or winding up a flexible force transmission means. According to the invention, the radial distance of the surface changes in the rotational direction of the roller for forming at least one control cam for the force transmission means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Ingo GASSER
  • Patent number: 7841677
    Abstract: A tool box includes a body with drawers and the body is rotatably connected to a base. A brake unit is received in the base and includes a first board fixed to the base and a second board movably located on the first board by connection plates pivotably connected between the first and second boards. A brake disk is rotatably located on the first board and the shaft is securely connected to the brake disk so that the brake disk is co-rotated with the body. The second board is controlled to move and contact the brake disk on the first board by a clutch pedal. When the second board contacts the brake disk, the body together with the base is moved as one piece, and when the second board is disengaged from the brake disk, the body can be rotated independently relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7780251
    Abstract: A retracting device for a drawer, including a pulling device which can be connected to the drawer, a drive unit having an electric motor, and a roller drivable by the drive unit for winding up the pulling device, wherein the drive unit is activatable by a rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Fredi Dubach, Klaus Brüstle
  • Publication number: 20100090571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture drive with a drive unit having an electric motor, a pull-out guide for drawers, a chassis track, a middle track and a drawer track. The middle track and the drawer track are mechanically interconnected and forcibly controlled. The drive unit drives the middle track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Ingo GASSER
  • Patent number: 7690317
    Abstract: A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Joel R. Dral, John C. Groelsma, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Publication number: 20100072868
    Abstract: An automated door system comprising a plurality of overlapping horizontal slats; wherein the plurality of overlapping slats are individually selectably removable. The plurality of overlapping horizontal slats further comprise an inward stair-step configuration. In addition, the system further comprises a control module, wherein the control module includes a touch screen interface. Furthermore, the system still further comprises a lifting system coupled to the plurality of slats and in communication with the control module; wherein the lifting system is configured to raise and lower the plurality of slats. The lifting system further comprises a rotor coupled to a stepped wheel and a pulley system configured to raise and lower the plurality of slats. The lifting system further comprises a plurality of tracks configured to guide the plurality of slats when raised and lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ANVIL CONSTRUCTION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Randy O. Deem, Kip W. Deem, Russell O. Deem, Nathan R. Deem, John W. Packer, Dustin E. Yates, Ryan B. Eddington, Tim B. Bair, Nathan D. Hall
  • Publication number: 20090261704
    Abstract: A kitchen device, in particular, a refrigerator or freezer, with an interior, in which at least one height-adjustable support for accommodation of goods is provided, wherein at least one transport carriage running along guide rails is provided on the kitchen device, wherein said transport carriage may be fixed to the support and adjusted in height by a drive with a height adjustment. The invention is characterised in that the shell surface may be particularly simply and easily adjusted for height without the need to remove the goods from the kitchen device operation of the kitchen device being particularly simple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Benz, Michael Krapp
  • Publication number: 20090160297
    Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator, includes a drawer mounted within a cabinet for movement between an opened position and a closed position. A driving mechanism, including an electric motor and a transmission assembly, connects to the drawer for driving the drawer between the opened position and the closed position. The driving mechanism has an engaged state wherein the drawer is power driven by the driving mechanism between the opened and closed positions and a disengaged state wherein the drawer is manually movable between the opened and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Mark W. Wilson, Solomon Muthumani
  • Publication number: 20090127990
    Abstract: A retracting device for a drawer, comprising a pulling device which can be connected to the drawer, a drive unit having an electric motor, and a roller drivable by the drive unit for winding up the pulling device, wherein the drive unit is activatable by a rotation of the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Fredi Dubach, Klaus Brustle
  • Publication number: 20070258200
    Abstract: A display rotation and extension apparatus and a control method thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Won Choi, Jae-Kyung Kim, Chil-Sung Lee, Kyoung-Shin Park
  • Patent number: 6902243
    Abstract: The present invention is a sub-cabinet readily insertable and removable from a larger decorative cabinet. The invention is comprised of a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto, and a control module disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto. The control module receives commands from a limit switch so as to stop the lift motion when filly retracted or extended. Furthermore, the control module regulates electrical power to a display device fastened to the lift based upon the direction of travel of the support unit. The control module receives function commands from either a wireless remote or a switch. An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a safety strip attached about an edge along one or more panels adjacent to a movable lid hinged to a decorative cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Wieslaw Bober
  • Patent number: 6877825
    Abstract: A vertically adjustable modular kitchen system includes a modular appliance and/or storage unit including a first frame section, a base unit including a second frame section having arranged therein a plurality of vertically adjustable supports and a control. The modular appliance and/or storage and base units are designed to interconnect one with the other forming a kitchen system. The control, provided with each base unit, enables a consumer to adjust the vertical height of the kitchen assembly associated with the particular base unit by raising or lowering the vertically adjustable supports. The appliance and/or storage and base units are further designed to integrate into either wall assemblies or kitchen island assemblies. The modular appliance and/or storage units will include a variety of configurations such as storage modules and appliance modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Mostafa Michael Khosropour, Evelyn M. George
  • Patent number: 6802576
    Abstract: A protected display case for securely displaying items and for securely storing the items out of view. The display case having a top section that has at least one transparent window and a bottom section. A lifting mechanism raises and lowers a shelf containing items for viewing. The lifting mechanism uses a motor, a gear assembly, and at least two guides that are spaced apart and fixed in a vertical position. The shelf travels up or down in relation to the guides. In the raised position, the items are in the top section and on display for viewing by way of at least one shatter resistant viewing window. In the lowered position, the items are stored within the bottom section and a panel assembly creates a barrier between the top and bottom sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Bradley D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6769752
    Abstract: Apparatus for displaying objects having a lower part fixed to an underframe and an upper part pivotally attached to the lower part. The upper part includes front, rear, right, left and upper side parts, of which at least the upper side part consists of a glass pane and wherein the upper part can be moved by an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Glasbau Hahn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Till Hahn, Thomas Otto Hahn
  • Patent number: 6752476
    Abstract: A structure of a garbage-box having a container body and a collection container, a moving door module being provided to the garbage inlet of the container body, characterized in that a sensor is provided to a top plate of the container body to sense the approaching of a person to open the moving door on the container body, another sensor is located within the container body, a pair of corresponding inverted L-shaped guiding rail seat are provided at the inner wall of the container body, the transmission shaft is pivotally mounted to the two guiding rail seats, the two ends of the transmission shaft are respectively mounted with a zigzag gear to drive flexible moving door, the bottom end of the flexible moving door, corresponding to the micro-touch switch, is provided with a pushing block so as to sense the opening of the flexible moving door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Chung Jen Lin
  • Patent number: 6733094
    Abstract: A parallelepiped lifting device mounted under a computer desk in a storage position is disclosed. Prior to using a computer, the device is activated by starting a motor in a clockwise rotation to lift an LCD of the computer from under the desk by means of a mechanism comprising chain wheels, bars, and adjusting screws. A lowering of the device into the desk is performed by starting the motor in a counterclockwise rotation by means of the same mechanism. The invention can save desk space for other purposes in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Chun-Chung Chang
  • Publication number: 20040041500
    Abstract: A rotary filing cabinet with a wardrobe has a cabinet housing with at least a front opening. A rotor is mounted for rotational movement within the housing about a vertical axis. A vertical dividing panel of the rotor has at one side a plurality of filing shelves and at an opposite side a plurality of compartments forming the wardrobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Richards-Wilcox, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Appino
  • Patent number: 6692093
    Abstract: Device for adjusting a mounting angle of an LCD for a refrigerator including an LCD rotatably mounted on a front surface of a door of a refrigerator by a hinge, and mounting angle adjusting means in rear of the LCD for rotating the LCD to an angle centered on the hinge shaft, thereby permitting the user to watch the most clear image, and improving a freedom of design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Koo Park, Sang Ho Seo, Young Hoon Roh
  • Patent number: 6682157
    Abstract: A panel driving device turns an openable panel inside out by rotating the openable panel by 180° about a rotation center shaft and moving the rotation center shaft upward or downward during a specific period while the openable panel is rotated. The panel driving device is provided with a rotating mechanism for supporting the openable panel on a rotatable end of a rotary arm and rotating the openable panel, and a torque converting mechanism for converting part of a driving force of the rotating mechanism into a rotating force for rotating the rotary arm only during the specific period to rotate the rotary arm upward or downward. The openable panel can be turned inside out by a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Ito
  • Patent number: 6591765
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the removal of cassettes from an automated teller machine along their guide paths includes mountings and a plurality of retainers, each associated with its respective cassette. Each retainer is securable in an operational position on the mountings to extend into the guide path of its respective cassette to prevent removal of the cassette. Further, each retainer is movable from the operational position to allow removal of its respective cassette. The retainers may be removable from the mountings to allow removal of the cassette and lockable to the mountings. Two or more locking devices may be used in which the locks are operated separately or remotely. The retainer may be a suitably shaped elongate member such as a locking bar. Multiple bars can be used to retain a cassette. The retainers may guard the face of the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Secure Options Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Braddock
  • Patent number: 6564659
    Abstract: The present invention includes a first positioning assembly and a second positioning assembly respectively mounted on the bottom housing of the scanner. The first positioning assembly defines a first clamping groove, and the second positioning assembly defines a second clamping groove. A toothed belt is used to drive the chassis of the scanner to move reciprocally. The toothed belt includes a first end and a second end respectively locked in the first clamping groove of the first positioning assembly and the second clamping groove of the second positioning assembly. The toothed belt can be mounted directly, without having to additionally perform a working process, thereby reducing the machining processes, and thereby decreasing the cost of fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Devon Shyu
  • Patent number: 6540311
    Abstract: A display case security apparatus comprises a housing, a plurality of platform guide tracks, a platform, an elevating mechanism, and a closure. The housing includes a lower storage section and an upper display section disposed above the storage section. The storage section has an opaque exterior wall and the display section has an exterior wall which is at least partially transparent. The platform guide tracks are disposed on the interior of the housing. The platform is disposed within the housing and includes a generally horizontal portion for supporting articles to be displayed. The platform is selectively movable between a first position, wherein any articles supported on the platform are displayed in the display section of the housing, and a second position, wherein any articles supported on the platform are stored in the storage section of the housing. The platform interfits with the platform guide tracks so as to constrain the movement of the platform to vertical translation only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Faubion Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Canedy, Leo Faubion, Paul Lenox, Larry G. Stanford
  • Patent number: 6513517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved structure of an oven rack of a gas stove, employing a controller to automatically memorize and learn to change the flame from a gas source, such that when the height of the oven rack is adjusted, the flame is also adjusted in such a way that the flame at the bottom of a cooking utensil is always at the best position to provide maximum heating effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hanaqua Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Jye Jiang, Te-Yang Chiang