Patents Represented by Attorney Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett
  • Patent number: 7494356
    Abstract: A wireless raceway (100) employs bus bars (121), instead of cabling or other types of wires. The raceway (100) includes a pair of junction blocks (102). A bus bar assembly (116) holds the individual bus bars (121). The raceway (100) also includes a pair of modified Hterminals (122) having a central bus bar terminal (124) connected to each of a pair of receptacle terminals (126). The modified H-terminals (122) connect the individual bus bars (121) to external electrical assemblies through the junction blocks (102) without the need of wires or cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7481029
    Abstract: An access floor line distribution system that includes a low profile access floor system with a low profile switch box placed inside a switch box vault formed in the floor system. The access floor system is designed to be six inches or less in height and includes support props formed in a grid pattern and covered by floor panels. The props are sufficiently spaced apart to form a vault in the floor system designed to house the switch box. Formed on the switch box is a telecommunication cable opening, and a duplex electrical plug opening. Formed on the opposite side of the switch box is a plurality of knockouts opening through which network cables extend. A plurality of air vents are formed on the sides of the box to increase air flow and heat distribution. Located inside the switch box is a low profile network switch. The network switch includes a main telecommunication input port and a power cable on one surface and plurality of network ports on an opposite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce McQuilken
  • Patent number: 7465178
    Abstract: A raceway system (500) includes a junction block (502) having a housing (503). The housing (503) includes a first recessed area (520) having lower receptacle channels (576) and upper receptacle channels (578). An electrical receptacle block (542) includes a lower tab (580) and an upper tab (582) which selectively engage one of each of the lower receptacle channels (576) and upper receptacle channels (578). The selective engagement determines how far laterally outward the receptacle block (542) extends, relative to the junction block (502).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7455535
    Abstract: A rail system (100) is disclosed which may be employed within a commercial interior (102). The rail system (100) comprises a series of primary-tracks (130) in a spaced apart configuration. The rail system (100) also comprises a series of cross rails (132) releasably interconnectable to the primary tracks (130). The rail system (100) permits electrical and mechanical interconnections and reconfiguration of electrical and mechanical interconnections, for various functional accessories and communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Insalaco, Russel Howe, James B. Long, W. Daniel Millis
  • Patent number: 7428270
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unique system and method for recognizing the type of modulation embedded in an unknown complex baseband signal, comprising a receiver section for extracting the complex baseband signal from a modulated signal having a carrier frequency, and comprising an orderly series of signal processing functions for (a) estimating the bandwidth of the unknown signal, (b) removing the out-of-band noise and correcting gross carrier frequency errors, (c) discriminating between constant envelope and irregular envelope signals, (d) estimating and correcting residual carrier frequency errors, (e) classifying a constant envelope signal into one of the following modulation formats: {Continuous Wave (CW), Frequency Modulation (FM), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)}, and (f) classifying an irregular envelope signal into one of the following modulation formats: {Amplitude Modulation (AM), Double Sideband Suppressed Carrier (DSB-SC), Binary Shift Keying (BPSK), Quaternary Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), ?/4-shifted QPSK, M-ary
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Dubuc, Daniel Boudreau
  • Patent number: 7410379
    Abstract: A multiple circuit receptacle system (100) is disclosed. The receptacle system (100) includes a junction block (102) having an incoming female connector set (122) adapted to be engaged with a cable assembly (180) for supplying incoming power to the junction block (102). He junction block (102) also has a further female connector set (154), electrically coupled to the incoming female connector set (122), through which power is supplied from the cable assembly (180). The incoming power is in the form of four separate circuits, each circuit having hot, neutral and ground terminals. An electrical outlet receptacle block (160) includes a series of outlet receptacles (159) and connector sets (179, 181) selectively connectable to the further connector set (154) of the junction block (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7341480
    Abstract: A latching device (200) is disclosed for use in supporting a junction block (202) on a supporting bracket (204). The latching device (200) includes a horizontal support (230) coupled to a hinge (232). A first cantilever beam (234) is coupled to the hinge and to a ledge structure (240). The ledge structure (240) includes upper and lower ledges (242, 244). The supporting bracket is adapted to releasably engage either said upper ledge (242) or said lower ledge (244), dependent upon the desired position of the junction block (202) relative to the supporting bracket (204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7328600
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for extruding aluminum into products, wherein aluminum logs are first heated to a predetermined temperature in a furnace, then are cut into billets of predetermined lengths, and then the billets, while still hot, are extruded into predetermined products in an extruder. In the process, the logs are cut into billets with a cross cut circular saw immediately after the logs are heated and before the logs are permitted to cool to a temperature below a suitable extruding temperature. The circular saw is cooled and lubricated during the cutting to as to restrain the saw from sticking in the heated aluminum and so as to maintain the temperature of the log at the cut within a predetermined range wherein the aluminum is relatively easy to cut and waste is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Belco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Kohn
  • Patent number: 7318262
    Abstract: A casket and urn display has a floor, a top, and a perimeter sidewall. A viewable portion in the top or sidewall includes a recess in which a memorial display is mounted. The display includes a mounted butterfly mounted in a container having a viewable display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Joshua Florea
  • Patent number: 7277930
    Abstract: A correlation system (100) is disclosed, for use with a lighting system (102). The lighting system (102) is associated with one or more wands (104) so as to initially configure or reconfigure relationships and correlation among switches and lights of the lighting system (102). The lighting system (102) includes a plurality of lighting units (106). The lighting system (102) also includes a plurality of switch units (128). The wand (104) includes an IR emitter (160) to transmit signals to said lighting units (106) and to said switch units (128) so as to effect controlling relationships among the switch units (128) and lighting units (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Russel Howe
  • Patent number: 7185480
    Abstract: A flexible band is tensioned between fingers, capable of gripping together, of a gripper. In the bunching of plant stems, the band is held in an opening between fingers of the gripper behind a pair of rollers. The plant stems are carried along between the pair of rollers and received in the flexible band. After a bunch has thus been gathered, the ends of the fingers are brought towards each other, and the stems in the gripper are moved away from the rollers. Subsequently, the stems are tied together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Germaco B.V.
    Inventors: Michiel Peter Oderwald, Andreas Gerardus Vis
  • Patent number: 7182633
    Abstract: An adapter kit (100) includes adapters (102) formed in adapter pairs to accommodate couplers and jacks of various sizes. The adapters (102) are secured to a spline (114) in a releasable manner. The spline (114) includes a central post (116) with cross bars (118). Blanks (112) are secured to an angled cross bar (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7047784
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for extruding aluminum into products, wherein aluminum logs are first heated to a predetermined temperature in a furnace, then are cut into billets of predetermined lengths, and then the billets, while still hot, are extruded into predetermined products in an extruder. In the process, the logs are cut into billets with a cross cut circular saw immediately after the logs are heated and before the logs are permitted to cool to a temperature below a suitable extruding temperature. The circular saw is cooled and lubricated during the cutting to as to restrain the saw from sticking in the heated aluminum and so as to maintain the temperature of the log at the cut within a predetermined range wherein the aluminum is relatively easy to cut and waste is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Belco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Kohn
  • Patent number: 7036253
    Abstract: A three sided label structure (100) is disclosed, having three interconnected label sections (101, 102, 103). The label sections (101, 102, 103) are provided with relevant information about a plant supported in a container (120). Hinge sections (105, 106) are provided to facilitate a bending of labels so as to form triangular label structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: International Master Products Corporation
    Inventor: Gregg Edward Minaebo
  • Patent number: 7026018
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose means to inhibit the growth and migration of bacteria, mildew and fungus by applying various coatings which contain an inorganic anti-microbial agent onto metal, glass, and plastic substrates. The substrates are used in the manufacture of components for the interior of refrigerators and freezers, which include wire (100) and glass shelving (200, 300), plastic crisper baskets (500) and other articles within the food storage area. The coatings include the inorganic anti-microbial agent combinet with a matrix resin which are applied by electrostatic powder coating (916), roller coating (810), or robotic spraying (710), and then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: SSLO Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Kranovich
  • Patent number: 7025229
    Abstract: An assembly of a package that includes a flexible sheet-like foil material containing a viscous material, with apparatus for metered emptying of the package. The apparatus includes a frame, a guide, and a substantially flat two-part supporting surface. A metering control is movable along the supporting surface. The guide holds the metering control in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the supporting surface. The metering control empties the package by nipwise pressing the package flat onto the supporting surface. The frame includes a stationary part and a movable part, which parts form a continuous, uninterrupted supporting surface in a first position and which parts close off an open package by squeezing it shut in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Intercon Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Victor Robert Bochno, Cornelis Willem Blom
  • Patent number: D518974
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sligh Furniture Co.
    Inventors: James O. Kelley, Ralph J. Byma, Gregg J. Persons, Errol S. Pearsons
  • Patent number: D564457
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Eoin Billings, Duncan Jackson
  • Patent number: D564976
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Eoin Billings, Duncan Jackson
  • Patent number: D585204
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Blair W. Wieland, Anthony J. Warncke, Benjamin J. Beck, Baron C. Brandt, Oliver B. McLachlan