Spring Biased Patents (Class 403/109.3)
  • Patent number: 11849717
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a lift arm assembly and a boom including at least one support member. A first support member of the at least one support member is coupled to the lift arm assembly. Further, the first support member includes a tube and a hinge inserted into a first end of the tube. The hinge includes an extension portion disposed within the hollow tube and a hinged portion extending upward from a first end of the extension portion. The first end of the extension portion is adjacent the first end of the tube. Further, the first support member is coupled to the lift arm assembly by way of the hinged portion of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Roy A. Bittner
  • Patent number: 11691059
    Abstract: A golf club has a first shaft coupled to a club head, a second shaft configured to slidably engage a portion of the first shaft, a grip coupled to the second shaft, and an adjustable length shaft assembly received by the second shaft and configured to allow a portion of the first shaft to slide in relation to the second shaft in a first configuration, and to restrict a portion of the first shaft from sliding in relation to the second shaft in a second configuration. The grip is restricted from rotation about the first shaft or the second shaft as the first shaft slides in relation to the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Travis D. Milleman, David S. Kultala, Anthony D. Serrano, Eric V. Cole, David L. Petersen, Les J. Bryant, Richard D. MacMillan, Rick Solesbee, John A. Solheim, Evan R. Greer
  • Patent number: 11370473
    Abstract: An interface structure includes a sleeve, a wedge and a biasing member. The sleeve is arranged between the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube and the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube. The sleeve includes at least one fixing portion fixed to a first tube that is one of the outer tube and the inner tube, at least one contact surface configured to come into contact with a second tube that is the other of the outer tube and the inner tube, and a wedge mating surface configured to be mated with the wedge. The wedge is arranged between the first tube and the sleeve and is mated with the wedge mating surface of the sleeve. The biasing member biases the wedge so as to engage the wedge between the first tube and the sleeve while allowing the sleeve and the second tube to slide on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa, Jessica Elaine Lipa
  • Patent number: 10986903
    Abstract: A walking stick may include a tube body, a first telescopic tube, a second telescopic tube, and a third telescopic tube. The tube body is a hollow tube, and at least a positioning hole is formed thereon, and a top end and a bottom end of the tube body respectively connect to a handle and a locating sleeve. The first telescopic tube upwardly inserted into the tube body comprises a first locating piece. Also, the second telescopic tube upwardly inserted into the first telescopic tube has a second locating piece while the third telescopic tube upwardly inserted into the second telescopic tube comprises a third locating piece. A user only needs to press the first locating piece when the walking stick needs to be retracted, and the second telescopic tube and the third telescopic tube are sequentially retracted, which is convenient for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Shih-Chieh Liu
  • Patent number: 10967218
    Abstract: An apparatus having an accessory carrier that slides along an exercise rack and repositions an accessory through one-handed operation. A stationary handle fixedly mounts to the accessory carrier by first spacers. A moving handle mounts to the accessory carrier by second spacers. Each second spacer includes a barrel having an open end a closed end. A shaft extends through the barrel and the closed end and is mounted to the moving handle. As the moving handle moves to an engaged position, a pin end of the shaft slides out of the open end of the barrel and engages the exercise rack. This engagement prevents relative movement of the accessory carrier with respect to the exercise rack and fixes the accessory carrier at a selected position. A biasing member biases the moving handle to automatically engage the pin end and lock the accessory carrier in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Arsenal Strength LLC
    Inventors: Jason Murrell, Bryan Schmidt, Steve Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10734940
    Abstract: A drive shaft includes an extruded internal tube having teeth formed thereon. The drive shaft also includes an extruded external tube having teeth formed therein and coaxially receiving the internal tube. The teeth of the internal tube engaging the teeth of the external tube, wherein the internal tube and the external tube are aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NEAPCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Lange, Richard Schneck
  • Patent number: 10680549
    Abstract: A drive shaft includes an extruded internal tube having teeth formed thereon. The drive shaft also includes an extruded external tube having teeth formed therein and coaxially receiving the internal tube. The teeth of the internal tube engaging the teeth of the external tube, wherein the internal tube and the external tube are aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NEAPCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Lange, Richard Schneck
  • Patent number: 10625992
    Abstract: The invention provides a bearing. In particular, the invention provides a bearing for allowing a column of a davit to be rotatably mounted on a substantially upright shaft. The bearing has a body shaped to correspond to an internal profile of the column. The body has a first bore for receiving a component on which the bearing bears and a first pair of parallel, spaced second bores, narrower than the first bore, which extend across the first bore in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the first bore and are configured to receive retaining pins which engage with a groove in the component received in the first bore. A single bearing can be used to rotatably couple the davit to the shaft, or king post, with a plurality of different-spaced bores to account for different diameters of shaft. This improvement allows the davit to be manufactured easily and erected easily by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: REID LIFTING LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Italiano
  • Patent number: 10443658
    Abstract: A propeller shaft with a locking device includes a locking device for selectively coupling an exterior hub and an interior hub thereof. The propeller shaft has a structure that enables sliding between the interior and exterior hubs including a spline portion while the locking device is released by the load during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Su Yoo, Won Jun Choi, Jang Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10156865
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device includes a main body pin and a retaining element coupled to the main body pin. The retaining element includes an attachment body and at least one flexible member extending therefrom, and the at least one flexible member is configured to compress toward the attachment body when the retaining element is inserted into an anti-rotation pin opening of a steering column jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Chet A. Hickmott, Kathleen M. Brown
  • Patent number: 9850665
    Abstract: A stair assistance device for use with a handrail, the device comprising a sleeve engageable with and slideable relative to the handrail, and a brake element to hinder or prevent sliding movement of the sleeve, wherein, when the sleeve is engaged with a handrail, the brake element is resiliently biased towards the handrail, to hinder or prevent movement of the sleeve when the device is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: STAIRSTEADY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ruth Amos, Reginald Copeland
  • Patent number: 9592847
    Abstract: A steering column arrangement has a sliding sleeve and a universal joint yoke, which has a receiving section in which the sliding sleeve is included at least in sections and coaxially. The covering outer surface of the sliding sleeve and the covering inner surface of the receiving section have molded components for the positive connection. A torsion damper element is arranged between the sliding sleeve and the receiving section of the universal joint yoke. This is an annular arrangement, including an inner carrier ring, an outer carrier ring and an elastomer ring arranged between them. The inner carrier ring and outer carrier ring are elastic in a radial direction and rigid in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Detlef Hansen, Torsten Harms, Horst Hartmann, Frank Rohwer, Marco Schwieger
  • Patent number: 9469331
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle capable of adjusting an operating position of a steering wheel with respect to a vehicle body, includes: a steering column supporting the steering wheel at a rear end, arranging a center of oscillation with respect to the vehicle body in front thereof, and supporting the steering wheel so as to oscillate around the center of oscillation; a fixing bracket holding the steering column between opposing holding sections extending to a lower part and fixing an upper part to the vehicle body; and a support mechanism interposed between the holding sections and the steering column and supporting the steering column to in a manner that the steering column is slidable, wherein the support mechanism includes a spring member interposed between one of the holding sections and the steering column and a rigid body interposed between the other of the holding sections and the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Soichiro Iwanaga, Yasuaki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9416806
    Abstract: A latching device for insertion into a tube provides two large flat buttons one on each side to lock the tube relative to an outer tube or to two parallel plates. A tubular housing with open ends slides into the tube between the side walls of the tube with the ends of the housing substantially butting inside surfaces of the side walls. The buttons are mounted on respective slide members mounted in the housing spring biased apart so that the buttons can be depressed. One or two set screws acting as stop members can be inserted after the housing is moved to the required location in the tube to prevent depression of the buttons to a position inward of the inner surface of the tube so that the housing is held in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Tuffbuilt Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Vetesnik
  • Patent number: 9358678
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a telescopic handle that includes a shank, a tube and a positioning unit. The shank includes bores. The tube is movably supported on the shank and includes an aperture. The positioning unit includes a shell, a button, a spring and a ball. The shell is supported on the tube and includes a pocket. The button is movably inserted in the pocket and includes a shallow recess and a deep recess. A first portion of the ball enters one of the bores via the aperture when a second portion of the ball is placed in the shallow recess as the button is kept in an upper position by the spring. The button can be pushed to allow the second portion of the ball to enter the deep recess so that the first portion of the ball can escape from any of the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Shih-Hao Lai
  • Patent number: 9290157
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal groove on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connection piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part, wherein said joint part comprises at least one resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in said oscillating arm, and wherein said resilient tongue is rotatable along an hinge axis between an outward position retaining the wiper blade onto the oscillating arm and an inward position relea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 9163391
    Abstract: A modular connector element has a hook, a catch, and fittings for connection to an end of a hollow log for assembly into a wall or building superstructure. In assembling three such connector elements in a sequence conforming a corner between two structural walls, the hook of the middle connector element makes a click connection with a catch formed on a second such connector element positioned on one side of the middle connector element, and the catch of the middle connector element makes a click connection with a hook formed on a third such connector element positioned on the side of the middle connector element opposite the second connector element. The connector elements with their respective logs are thus rapidly, securely and manually click-locked together to erect walls and building superstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Alejandro Stein
  • Patent number: 9027952
    Abstract: A lower leg rest device includes an engaging member and a support member having a length adjusting mechanism. An end of the support member is pivotally connected to the frame of the baby carriage at a pivot point. The engaging member is disposed on another end of the support member. The support member is used for supporting a child safety seat. The length adjusting mechanism is used for adjusting a length between the engaging member and the pivot point. When the lower leg rest device pivots to a position below the frame body, the length of the support member can be shortened so as to support legs of a baby seated in the baby carriage. When the lower leg rest device pivots to a position above the frame body, the support member can be lengthened so that the engaging member can be engaged with and support the child safety seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Wanquan Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150048642
    Abstract: A slidable conveying assembly may include a latch frame and a latch rod rotatably engaged with, and extending at least partially through the latch frame. The latch rod may include a latch paddle at a first end. The assembly may also include a notch frame configured to slidably engage with the latch frame and a notched bar that may extend at least partially through the front notch frame and that may include multiple notches. The assembly may also include a biasing mechanism operably coupled to the latch frame and the latch rod and configured to bias the latch paddle into the multiple notches such that the latch paddle is biased into removable engagement with the multiple notches as the latch frame slides along the notch frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick G. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 8950968
    Abstract: A mirror assembly system for use in automotive vehicles is provided. In one embodiment of the presented invention, a first connecting member has the form of a tubular flange member, with a first contact surface and a first groove being provided inside the flange member. A second connecting member is adapted to be introduced with play into the tubular flange member, with the second connecting member comprising a base body. On the base body a first retaining boss for engagement in the first groove and a guide surface arranged behind the retaining boss are provided, with the guide surface being associated to the first contact surface. A clamping device passes through the flange member and, when actuated, presses against a first pressure surface on the base body so that the inclined guide surface presses against the first contact surface, to thus jam the mounting member inside the flange member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Richard Reimchen, Jochen Denkfelder, Albrecht Popp
  • Patent number: 8931973
    Abstract: An accessory part to be connected to an operating table has a connecting element (12, 16) and a component part of the operating table has a receiving area (14) for receiving at least an area of the connecting element (12, 16). An engagement element (22, 24) projects laterally from the connecting element (12, 16). The receiving area (14) has at least one guideway (18, 20) with which the engagement element (22, 24) engages during insertion of at least an area of the connecting element (12, 16) into the receiving area (14). When deformed, an elastically deformable element (52) exerts a force on the engagement element (22, 24). By the force exerted on the engagement element (22, 24) and by the course of the guideway (18, 20) a force (FA) is exerted in the direction of insertion (P2) on the connecting element (12, 16) when the accessory part and the operating table are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Maquet GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan Donat Olszewski
  • Patent number: 8926214
    Abstract: A stick has a first tube member and a second tube member connected to each other in the length direction; and a connection member connected to one end portion of the second tube member, wherein the first tube member is selectively locked to or unlocked from the connection member, the second tube member is rotatably connected to the connection member. When the first tube member is locked to the connection member, the first tube member and the connection member are fixed to each other, and the second tube member is freely rotatable relative to the first tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Jeh-Kun Lah
  • Patent number: 8922451
    Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a lockdown mechanism for an electric drive screw telescoping mast. The lockdown mechanism comprising a plurality of elongated tube sections which are telescopingly attached to each other, each tube section comprising a substantially hollow body. An elongated drive screw is disposed within the hollow body and includes a plurality of threads for extending and retracting the elongated tube sections. A lock subassembly includes a housing and a center hub, the housing comprises a load bearing top and a hollow cavity, the lock subassembly being rigidly attached to said center tube and axially aligned along a central axis with said plurality of elongated tube sections. The center hub is movably engaged within the hollow cavity of the housing and includes at least one locking pin adapted to the center hub that is movably engaged to the structural envelope when the mast is in the lockdown position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
    Inventor: Michael James Kardohely
  • Publication number: 20140376990
    Abstract: A collapsible tubular rod includes a tubular rod body which has first and second rod segments and which is convertible between collapsed and assembled states, a socket body fixed in the first rod segment, a plug member configured to be brought into rotatable engagement with the socket body, a guiding sleeve sleeved on the plug member, and a spring-loaded pin received in the plug member so as to extend outwardly of the guiding sleeve, and a connecting cord. When the tubular rod body is in the assembled state, the plug member and the guiding sleeve are guided by the socket body to permit the spring-loaded pin to extend outwardly of an outer surface of the first rod segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Hsin-Yuan Lai
  • Patent number: 8876211
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a guide bushing. The guide bushing has an opening for receiving a support post. First and second engagement features are provided that are configured to engage the support post. The first engagement feature is configured to flex in response to a biasing force exerted by a biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Achim Tscherbner, Frank Kunert, Michael Menges, Dhananjay Lachyan
  • Patent number: 8831474
    Abstract: A developing roller including a housing containing toner; and a developing roller installed in the housing and supplies the toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor, the developing roller including a cylindrical unit in the form of a hollow pipe and a power transmission unit connected to one end of the cylindrical unit and connected to a power transmission member for rotating the developing roller. Both ends of the cylindrical unit are supported by the housing and the power transmission unit is not restricted by the housing. Both ends of the cylindrical unit are supported by the housing and the power transmission unit is not restricted by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-hwa Joo, In-cheol Jeon, Woong-yong Choi, Ki-jae Do, Jun-ho Kim, Sang-jin Park, Jong-uk Kim
  • Patent number: 8806720
    Abstract: A rack type telescopic handle of horticultural shears includes a fixed handle with a rack, a movable handle sheathed on the fixed handle, and a control device installed at an end of the movable handle, a movable gear pivotally coupled to the control device, and the control device controls an engagement and a separation of the movable gear with the rack, so that the movable handle can slide to an appropriate position on the fixed handle before the movable handle is fixed to the fixed handle so as to adjust the length of the handle of the horticultural shears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Green Guard Industry Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuang-Pin Wang
  • Patent number: 8684620
    Abstract: A retractable bar using a positioning spring leaf and a control device to control positioning between an inner tube and an outer tube is disclosed. The control device includes a movable member, a push button, and a linking device connected between the movable member and the push button. When the push button is not pushed by an external force, the positioning spring leaf will be pushed by the movable member to force its positioning protrusions into engagement with locating notches of the inner tube to lock the outer and inner tubes. When the push button is pushed by an external force, the linking device will be forced to move the movable member away from the positioning spring leaf, causing the positioning spring leaf to disengage the positioning protrusions from the locating notches of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Lin
  • Patent number: 8678944
    Abstract: A variable length golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft includes a hollow lower shaft with a plurality of holes, a hollow upper shaft with at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface that is sized to fit within the plurality of holes, and an unlocking bar. The shaft length can be adjusted by sliding the upper shaft over the lower shaft and using the unlocking bar to release the protrusion from the holes to allow overall shaft length adjustments. In another embodiment, the variable length shaft includes a hollow lower shaft, a hollow upper shaft, an engaging insert, and a locking bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Broadus Perry Wall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8641314
    Abstract: A quick coupling for a shaft includes a male coupling having a locking portion with a locking groove formed thereon. A female coupling includes a female body having an interior surface bounding a socket. A tapered port is formed on the female body and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface thereof. The locking portion of the male coupling is received within the socket so that the tapered port is aligned with the locking groove. A ball bearing is disposed within the tapered port so that a portion of the ball bearing can project into the socket and into the locking groove. A locking sleeve is slidably mounted along the female body so as to cover and interact with the ball bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: HyClone Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Thacker, Derik R. West, Whitt F. Woods
  • Patent number: 8617064
    Abstract: An adjustable surgical retractor clamping mechanism for attaching mechanism to an operating table. The mechanism includes an upper jaw, lower jaw, a drive member, an adjustable frame support post and a releasable clamp for adjusting the height of the surgical retracting frame. The upper portion of the lower jaw has a plurality of slots cut into the sidewalls of upper jaw to form at least one flexible finger. The clamp is in close sliding relationship to the upper portion of lower jaw member. The clamp includes a cam lever. Movement of the cam lever to its closed position compresses the clamp causing the flexible fingers to grip the adjustable post locking its longitudinal movement. Rotation of the cam lever to the open position releases the compressive force on the clamp, unlocking the adjustable post allowing the post to be longitudinally adjusted relative to the clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Thompson Surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Farley
  • Patent number: 8596899
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for releasably locking two rail elements (10, 11), which are supported displaceably relative to each other, of a telescopic rail or a linear guide and for adjusting the motivity to be applied for the displacement, comprising a housing (1) which is fastened to a first one of the rail elements (11) which are supported displaceably relative to each other, at least one locking element (5) and at least one locking force spring (4) which is supported against the housing and biases the locking element (5) against the second of the rail elements (10) which are supported displaceably relative to each other, at least one friction element (7) and at least one friction force spring (6) which is supported against the housing and which presses the friction element (7) in biased relationship against the second of the rail elements (10) which are supported displaceably relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Accuride International GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Braun, Thomas Quirein
  • Publication number: 20130243521
    Abstract: A latching device for insertion into a tube provides two large flat buttons one on each side to lock the tube relative to an outer tube or to two parallel plates. A tubular housing with open ends slides into the tube between the side walls of the tube with the ends of the housing substantially butting inside surfaces of the side walls. The buttons are mounted on respective slide members mounted in the housing spring biased apart so that the buttons can be depressed. One or two set screws acting as stop members can be inserted after the housing is moved to the required location in the tube to prevent depression of the buttons to a position inward of the inner surface of the tube so that the housing is held in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jan Vetesnik
  • Publication number: 20130236237
    Abstract: A multi-section telescoping pole including a tubular first section having a female end and an interior which defines an axial path. A second section has a male end slidably engaged within the interior of the first section through the female end and being slidable along the axial path. An internal annular groove is provided adjacent a distal end of the pole section remote from a proximal end and having a button receiving opening in the annular groove. The annular groove is configured to capture the button when the first and second sections are telescopically extended so that once the button has been captured in the groove, all that the user need do thereafter is to rotate one pole section relative to another to align the button now captured in the groove with the button receiving opening to secure the two pole sections together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Mark A. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 8491215
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a connector for selectively coupling a first member and a second member that are configured to move relative to each other. Each of the first member and the second member includes an opening. A connector that includes a flexible body that has a projection may be inserted within one of the members. The projection is configured to extend through the openings of the members to couple the first member to the second member. The connector also includes a mechanism that selectively couples the connector relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Young
  • Patent number: 8485751
    Abstract: A latching device for insertion into a tube provides two large flat buttons one on each side to lock the tube relative to an outer tube or to two parallel plates. A tubular housing with open ends slides into the tube between the side walls of the tube with the ends of the housing substantially butting inside surfaces of the side walls. The buttons are mounted on respective slide members mounted in the housing spring biased apart so that the buttons can be depressed. One or two set screws acting as stop members can be inserted after the housing is moved to the required location in the tube to prevent depression of the buttons to a position inward of the inner surface of the tube so that the housing is held in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tuffbuilt Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Vetesnik
  • Patent number: 8469423
    Abstract: A multi-section telescoping pole for manipulating a tool. Sections of the pole have apertures. A pinch safety locking assembly includes a button configured for movement by a digit on a user's hand to a first position by a first resilient member when received in aligned first and second apertures to restrain the second section from moving relative to the first section and to a second position against a resistance provided by the first resilient member and against an elastic stop to permit relative longitudinal movement between the first and second sections. The pinch safety locking assembly is additionally configured to facilitate assembly by movement of the button by use of an excessive force to a third position against a combined resistance of the first resilient member and the elastic stop to permit relative movement between the pinch safety locking assembly and the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hastings Fiber Glass Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Crowley, Jr., Gary L. James, Mark A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130149025
    Abstract: A telescoping mechanism includes a base, a movable member, a support member, and a resisting assembly. The base defines a receiving groove. The movable member is slidably connected to and opposes the base. The support member is rotatably connected with the base. The support member includes a first support portion engaged in the receiving groove and a second support portion connected with the first support portion. The second support portion defines an engaging groove. The resisting assembly is mounted on the second support portion. To lift the movable member, the first support portion is lifted and resists against the movable member, and after the movable member is brought down to the base, the movable member latches in the engaging groove, and the resisting assembly resists against the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: QING-SONG WEN
  • Patent number: 8448303
    Abstract: A belt adjustment mechanism incorporated into a belt that allows an individual to adjust the overall length of the belt, which includes a primary component and an adjustable component that slides within the primary component. Both the primary component and the adjustable component have a pair of tracks and number of holes A hook on each side of the belt adjustment mechanism is placed through tracks of both components and a hole on each of the components to temporarily place the adjustable component into a fixed position in relation to the primary component. A belt is attached to both the primary component and the adjustable component, allowing the actual waist size of the belt to be varied slightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Henry Wall
  • Patent number: 8444095
    Abstract: Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Ferris, Timothy J. Haataja
  • Patent number: 8388254
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning structure of a shaft member contains an inner tube including a plane having plural holes, an outer tube including a cutout to receive the inner tube, an adjustable positioning device including a fixing seat, and a retaining block formed in a twisted piece shape and axially defined between two extending sides of the fixing seat. The retaining block includes a pressing portion and a bore fixed on one end thereof, and includes a lock tab extending outward from another end thereof. A stop switch is covered by the fixing seat and includes a shoulder to be inserted in the bore to stop the retaining block to be pressed and to operate. An resilient element is defined between the retaining block, and the stop switch to contact with the retaining block, so that the lock tab is retained in one of the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Bike Rack Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Huang
  • Patent number: 8376646
    Abstract: An adjustable pole comprising an upper pole telescopically engaged with a lower pole. The adjustable pole further comprises a locking unit secured to an upper end of the lower pole. The locking unit comprises a housing having a lower bore engaged with the upper end of the lower pole. The housing further comprises an upper bore disposed above the lower bore for freely receiving the upper pole into and out of the lower pole. The housing further comprises a channel disposed adjacent the upper bore. The locking unit further comprises a lever rotatably supported within the channel between a locked position where the upper pole cannot move relative to the lower pole and an unlocked position where the upper pole may be moved. The lever comprises a tooth catch engaged with the upper pole and substantially shielded by the channel between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ToolLab, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Melino, Sr., Charles Melino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8296989
    Abstract: A rifle barrel adapter that ensures adequate mounting overlap for muzzle mounted grenades for proper firing alignment is described, which adapter is formed of only four parts: (1) an elongated unitary body with a narrowed cylindrical front section upon which the muzzle mounted grenade is mounted, which elongated unitary body has an enlarged rear section that is mounted about the muzzle end of the rifle barrel over the flash suppressor; (2) a unitary locking mechanism to secure the elongated unitary body to the muzzle end of the rifle; (3) a bias spring to maintain the unitary locking mechanism in place, and (4) a locking pin to hold the unitary locking mechanism in place within the unitary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Anthony Hawthorne, Kenneth R. Jones, Richard A. Beckman
  • Patent number: 8297336
    Abstract: Barrier means are provided having a frame including a plurality of frame members, movable between a first substantially erect condition and a second substantially folded condition. At least one of the frame members including two or more telescopically mounted portions capable of relative movement to allow expansion and/or contraction of the length of the frame member. Locking means are associated with one or more of said frame portions to allow the portion or portions to be locked at a required length. The locking means are movable between the locked and/or unlocked position by relative movement of the frame portion or portions with which the locking means are associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Yates
  • Patent number: 8262311
    Abstract: A mast arrangement having two elongate individual masts. The first elongate individual mast comprises a hollow connector comprising an inner diameter. The second elongate individual mast comprises a protruding connector end. The protruding connector end telescopically engages with the hollow connector end. The mast arrangement also comprises a pin and slot arrangement and collars to connect the masts together and minimize unwanted disengagement of the masts from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Trice
  • Patent number: 8246267
    Abstract: A safety post mountable in a post holder includes an elongate tubular member and a locking device arranged inside of the tubular member. The locking device includes a lever and a bias spring device biasing the lever against an inner surface of the wall of the tubular member. The lever has a lock protrusion and a release protrusion extending through a first and second aperture portions of the wall, respectively. The lock protrusion is retractable to a release position inside of an outer surface of the tubular member by operation of the release protrusion in a counter biasing direction. The release protrusion has a support surface arranged to support the safety post against a support surface of the post holder, and the release protrusion is related to the lock protrusion such that, in the release position, the release protrusion is still protruding from said outer surface to an extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Combisafe International AB
    Inventor: Joakim Svedberg
  • Patent number: 8186633
    Abstract: Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Ferris, Timothy J. Haataja
  • Publication number: 20120107037
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning structure of a shaft member contains an inner tube including a plane having plural holes, an outer tube including a cutout to receive the inner tube, an adjustable positioning device including a fixing seat including two extending sides, a retaining block formed in a twisted piece shape and axially defined between the two extending sides of the fixing seat, including a pressing portion and a bore fixed on one end thereof, and including a lock tab extending outward from another end thereof, a stop switch covered to the fixing seat and including a shoulder to be inserted in the bore so as to stop the retaining block to be pressed and to operate, an resilient element defined between the retaining block and the stop switch to contact with the retaining block so that the lock tab is retained in one suitable of the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Huang
  • Patent number: 8156628
    Abstract: A holding device for holding a structural component for aircraft to a further structural component; may be coupled to one of the components and is moved from a holding mode, where the first component is held to the second component by the holding device, to a release mode using a magnetic force. Furthermore, a method for deinstalling two components is disclosed, where carrying out deinstallation merely requires pressing a first component against a second component, and placing a magnetic key on or over one of the components in the region of the holding device, where at least some method-related steps may take place at substantially the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Roth
  • Patent number: 8136780
    Abstract: An electronic device holder is revealed. By the electronic device holder, an electronic device is supported in a preset position so that users can operate the electronic device conveniently. The electronic device holder consists of holding units on tow sides thereof and a connection member connecting the two holding units. By the stopping and clipping of the two holding units, the electronic device is held and supported firmly in a preset state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Jow Tong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Hung Lin