Patents Assigned to Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
  • Publication number: 20140069006
    Abstract: A plant container stabilizer. The stabilizer has a frustoconical body formed by a hollow wall. The body includes an open top in which a container for a plant can be disposed. Ports are provided along the exterior of the body to enable installation of a ballast material into the hollow wall. A collar is provided about the open top of the body and includes bayonet-style slots disposed therein. Tabs may be provided on an exterior sidewall of the container for engagement with the slots of the collar to provide a locking engagement between the container and the stabilizer. The wide base of the stabilizer and the added weight provided by the ballast material increase the resistance of the container to tipping or toppling over such as when subjected to winds. The stabilizer is further configured to enable nestable stacking of a plurality of the stabilizers for shipment or storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: NICOLAY FAMILY ENTERPRISES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 8616597
    Abstract: A handle assembly is disclosed for tools such as shovels and the like having a primary handle and an auxiliary handle. The primary handle includes first and second legs, each of which has a first end that is securable to a tool head such that the first and second legs extend outwardly from the tool head in generally parallel relation to one another. A primary grip or handlebar extends between the legs at the ends opposite the tool head. The auxiliary handle is slideably connected to the first and second legs so as to be moveable toward and away from the primary grip. The auxiliary handle is removeably connectable to the legs and may be stored in a generally planar alignment between the legs to facilitate stacking or the auxiliary handle may be shaped to facilitate nesting of adjacent auxiliary handles of stacked handle assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Publication number: 20120324676
    Abstract: A handle assembly is disclosed for tools such as shovels and the like having a primary handle and an auxiliary handle. The primary handle includes first and second legs, each of which has a first end that is securable to a tool head such that the first and second legs extend outwardly from the tool head in generally parallel relation to one another. A primary grip or handlebar extends between the legs at the ends opposite the tool head. The auxiliary handle is slideably connected to the first and second legs so as to be moveable toward and away from the primary grip. The auxiliary handle is removeably connectable to the legs and may be stored in a generally planar alignment between the legs to facilitate stacking or the auxiliary handle may be shaped to facilitate nesting of adjacent auxiliary handles of stacked handle assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: NICOLAY FAMILY ENTERPRISES, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Publication number: 20110049920
    Abstract: A handle assembly is disclosed for tools such as shovels and the like having a primary handle and an auxiliary handle. The primary handle includes first and second legs, each of which has a first end which is securable to a tool head such that the first and second legs extend outwardly from the tool head in generally parallel relation to one another. A primary grip or handlebar extends between the legs at the ends opposite the tool head. The auxiliary handle is slidably connected to said first and second legs so as to be moveable toward and away from the primary grip. The auxiliary handle is removably connectable to the legs and may be stored in a generally planar alignment between the legs to facilitate stacking or the auxiliary handle may be shaped to facilitate nesting of adjacent auxiliary handles of stacked handle assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: NICOLAY FAMILY ENTERPRISES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Guerra, Kent R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7124474
    Abstract: A tool handle assembly adapted to be connected to a tool head comprises a leg with an inner grip handle connected to the leg between first and second ends thereof, an outer grip handle connected to the first end of the leg and a tool head connector connected to the second end of the leg. The inner grip handle includes a grip extending perpendicular to the leg. The outer grip handle preferably pivots about an axis extending perpendicular to an axis extending through the leg. The inner grip handle is preferably pivotal between a storage and use position and is slidably connected to the leg. The leg of the tool handle preferably telescopes and comprises a pair of parallel extending legs connected together by cross-members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lewis A. Mendelson, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 6708473
    Abstract: A handle assembly for an appliance such as a lawnmower having front and rear wheels includes a handlebar having a pair of legs pivotally connected to the appliance at front mounting points proximate the front wheels. The handlebar extends upwardly and rearwardly until it terminates with a push bar adapted for gripping by the operator. The handlebar preferably includes a front crossbar connected between the legs forward of the center of gravity of the appliance. The handle assembly also includes a handle height control mechanism which is connected at a lower end to the lawnmower proximate the rear wheels and at an upper end to the handlebar. The handle height control mechanism allows the handlebar to pivot about the front mounting point through a limited range of movement while the lawnmower is being propelled by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 6592160
    Abstract: A handle is disclosed for tools such as shovels and the like. The handle includes first and second legs, each of which has a first end which is securable to a tool head such that the first and second legs extend outwardly from the tool head in generally parallel relation to one another. A handlebar is connected to second ends of the first and second legs. The handlebar is curved to accommodate a normal orientation of a user's wrists. A lower handle is slidably connected to the first and second legs so as to be moveable toward and away from the handlebar and pivotable between a retracted position and an operating position. In the operating position the lower handle extends outward from a plane defined by the first and second legs. A slide lock is provided for selectively securing the lower handle to the first and second legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Jonathon K. Kemnitzer, Mrako A. Fenster, Dale R. Jamieson, Jonathan C. Ochenas, Lewis A. Mendelson, Yutaka Kazamaki
  • Publication number: 20020189225
    Abstract: A handle assembly for an appliance such as a lawnmower having front and rear wheels includes a handlebar having a pair of legs pivotally connected to the appliance at front mounting points proximate the front wheels. The handlebar extends upwardly and rearwardly until it terminates with a push bar adapted for gripping by the operator. The handlebar preferably includes a front crossbar connected between the legs forward of the center of gravity of the appliance. The handle assembly also includes a handle height control mechanism which is connected at a lower end to the lawnmower proximate the rear wheels and at an upper end to the handlebar. The handle height control mechanism allows the handlebar to pivot about the front mounting point through a limited range of movement while the lawnmower is being propelled by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: D709404
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: D719874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lawrence E. Guerra