Patents Assigned to Metro Industries, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20070063063
    Abstract: A shelving system includes at least two parallel lengths of track, at least two pair of end pieces disposed on opposite ends of each of the at least two lengths of track, and a stationary shelving unit attached to one of the at least two pair of end pieces, with the stationary shelving unit including a plurality of posts and a shelf supported by the plurality of posts, and a mobile shelving unit, which includes a plurality of posts, a shelf supported by the plurality of posts, and a plurality of wheels adapted to roll on the at least two lengths of track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: METRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Welsch, James Janick, Robert Welch, Joseph Petcavage
  • Publication number: 20070057131
    Abstract: A shelf support system includes a sleeve or wedge member and a collar adapted to be secured to a generally cylindrical support post, that is one that is circular when viewed in radial cross-section. The sleeve has an inner surface that is configured to embrace the support post and an outer surface formed with a first axially outwardly inclined wedge portion and at least one second axially outwardly inclined wedge portion that, when viewed in such radial cross-section, extends at an angle to the first portion. Additionally, the collar is adapted to be secured to a member to be supported and to embrace the sleeve. The collar has a first wedge surface formed to mate with the first portion of the outer surface of the sleeve and at least one second wedge surface formed to mate with the second portion of the outer surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Welch, David Reppert, John Welsch
  • Patent number: 7143474
    Abstract: A shelving system includes at least two parallel lengths of track, at least two pair of end pieces disposed on opposite ends of each of the at least two lengths of track, and a stationary shelving unit attached to one of the at least two pair of end pieces, with the stationary shelving unit including a plurality of posts and a shelf supported by the plurality of posts, and a mobile shelving unit, which includes a plurality of posts, a shelf supported by the plurality of posts, and a plurality of wheels adapted to roll on the at least two lengths of track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Welsch, James J. Janick, Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage
  • Patent number: 7143534
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sign holder for displaying a sign relative to a workstation. The sign holder has a support pivotably coupled to an arm. The arm in turn is pivotably coupled to a signboard. The sign holder may be pivoted between a first position to provide enhanced visibility and a second position to increase the available workspace at the work station while maintaining visibility of the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20060226313
    Abstract: A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the support post, or a wedge member associated with the support post, when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: METRO INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert Welch, James Hill, Jeffrey Olson, Robert Steele, Cheryl Kniffin, Katherine McGillivray
  • Patent number: 7086633
    Abstract: A support system includes a support post and support means for adjustably supporting a member to the support post. The support means includes a locking mechanism movable between a first position for press-fitting the support means, directly or indirectly, against the support post and a second position for releasing the press-fitting. The locking mechanism has a surface that abuts the support post, or a wedge member associated with the support post, when in the first position thereby to effect the press-fitting and that is released from the support post when moved to the second position to release the press-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, James D. Hill, Jeffrey C. Olson, Robert R. Steele, Cheryl Kniffin, Katherine McGillivray
  • Publication number: 20060032491
    Abstract: A banquet cart including a cabinet, a plurality of chimneys, an information center, and releasably lockable swivel casters. The plurality of chimneys are positioned inside the cabinet at different corners of the cabinet. The information center includes at least two of (a) a thermometer display indicating the temperature inside of the cabinet; (b) a display indicating time information from a programmable timer; and (c) an information board for displaying text. The releasably locking swivel casters are unlocked to allow swivel action of the casters when a user actuates a foot-operable lever at the front of the cabinet, and are locked when the user releases the lever and the casters are rotated to a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Olson, James Kilgallon, Wayne Killian, Willard Sickles
  • Patent number: 6918341
    Abstract: A support adapted for use between first and second panels at a joint includes a distal end including a flange, an anchoring end including a flange and an anchor, and an intermediate section connecting the distal end and the anchoring end. The intermediate section is shaped to mate with adjoining edges of the first and second panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Welsch, Robert Welch, Willard J. Sickles, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20050097796
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sign holder for displaying a sign relative to a workstation. The sign holder has a support pivotably coupled to an arm. The arm in turn is pivotably coupled to a signboard. The sign holder may be pivoted between a first position to provide enhanced visibility and a second position to increase the available workspace at the work station while maintaining visibility of the sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Applicant: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Kaminski
  • Publication number: 20040256339
    Abstract: A shelving system includes at least two parallel lengths of track, at least two pair of end pieces disposed on opposite ends of each of the at least two lengths of track, and a stationary shelving unit attached to one of the at least two pair of end pieces, with the stationary shelving unit including a plurality of posts and a shelf supported by the plurality of posts, and a mobile shelving unit, which includes a plurality of posts, a shelf supported by the plurality of posts, and a plurality of wheels adapted to roll on the at least two lengths of track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Welsch, James J. Janick, Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage
  • Patent number: 6732662
    Abstract: A tray includes a compartment with a bottom surface and perimeter sidewalls, and a passive stop arrangement is provided in the compartment. The passive stop arrangement includes at least a first notch in one of the sidewalls and a stop disposed proximate to the first notch. The tray is especially useful in a tray support system including a chassis having at least two laterally-spaced and vertically oriented racks each having spaced rungs in a mirror-image relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage, Rakesh T. Patel, Robert K. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6698364
    Abstract: A folding work station includes a work surface and a frame supporting the work surface. The frame includes at least one rolling support and is selectively expandable to an open configuration, in which the frame supports the work surface in a working orientation, and foldable to a substantially flat closed configuration having a vertical orientation, in which the frame supports the work surface juxtaposed on the frame. In addition, the work station is movably supported on the rolling support(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph P. Jones, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan R. Grula
  • Publication number: 20030106473
    Abstract: A tray includes a compartment with a bottom surface and perimeter sidewalls, and a passive stop arrangement is provided in the compartment. The passive stop arrangement includes at least a first notch in one of the sidewalls and a stop disposed proximate to the first notch. The tray is especially useful in a tray support system including a chassis having at least two laterally-spaced and vertically oriented racks each having spaced rungs in a mirror-image relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: METRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Joseph R. Petcavage, Rakesh T. Patel, Robert K. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20030024444
    Abstract: A folding work station includes a work surface and a frame supporting the work surface. The frame includes at least one rolling support and is selectively expandable to an open configuration, in which the frame supports the work surface in a working orientation, and foldable to a substantially flat closed configuration having a vertical orientation, in which the frame supports the work surface juxtaposed on the frame. In addition, the work station is movably supported on the rolling support(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metro Industries, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Josehp P. Jones, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan R. Grula
  • Patent number: 6443318
    Abstract: A structural support system such as a cantilevered shelving system for use in cooperation with a wall that faces an opposing surface includes a standard to which at least one shelf can be mounted. The standard is positionable in a generally upright orientation against the wall so as to support the shelf. A buttress, which is preferably adjustable in length, is positioned to span the distance between a point on the standard and the opposing surface so as to abut both the standard and the opposing surface and brace the standard in the generally upright orientation against the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Welsch
  • Patent number: D512246
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan Grula, David Barsigian
  • Patent number: D462541
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Welch
  • Patent number: D464185
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Olson
  • Patent number: D489205
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Droppers, Carl Dymond, Robert Napkori
  • Patent number: D498618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Metro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Welch, Douglas J. Kaminski, Robert R. Steele, Robert K. Swartz, Alan Grula