Patents Assigned to Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11871846
    Abstract: An assembly is to be mounted on a drawer slide to provide dampening to a drawer for an enclosure. The enclosure includes a front wall having a cutout area with merging lower and side edges. The drawer slide includes a stationary member mounted to the enclosure and a sliding member attached to the drawer. The assembly includes; a dampening mechanism having front and rear ends, the dampening mechanism configured to prevent slamming of the drawer during closing and to maintain the drawer in a closed position, the dampening mechanism having a hook that engages an activator mounted on the drawer; a front mounting bracket attached to the front end of the dampening mechanism, the front mounting bracket configured to mount to and engage the side edge of the cabinet and the stationary member of the drawer slide; and a rear mounting bracket attached to the dampening mechanism rearwardly of the front mounting bracket, the rear mounting bracket configured to mount to and engage the stationary member of the drawer slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TENN-TEX PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: William Duggins
  • Patent number: 11812849
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a drawer slide to a cabinet rear wall includes: a main panel; at least one lower guide attached to an extending from a lower edge of the main panel; at least one upper guide attached to the main panel above the lower guide to form a gap configured to receive a drawer slide; a latch extending from the main panel adjacent to the lower guide, the latch including an upwardly-extending hook; and openings in the main panel sized and positioned to receive fasteners to fasten the bracket to a rear wall of a cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Duggins, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 11707133
    Abstract: A shelf support includes: a generally planar main body with front and rear faces, the main body further having upper and lower openings with a cross-beam therebetween; a support flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front face; a mounting dowel extending generally perpendicularly from the rear face; a capturing finger mounted at an upper edge of the upper opening, the capturing finger extending forwardly and downwardly at a first oblique angle to the front face; and a centering finger extending forwardly and downwardly from the cross-beam at a second oblique angle to the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Duggins, Thomas R. Marsh
  • Patent number: 11653760
    Abstract: An undermount slide bracket includes: a panel with upper and lower edges; a nub extending from a first side of the panel; a shelf extending from a second, opposed side of the panel; a lower panel extending downwardly from the shelf; a plurality of pairs of wings extending from the lower panel, the pairs of wings being arranged in stacked, spaced apart relationship, such that a gap is formed between adjacent pairs of wings; and a stop located in the gap between the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: William Duggins
  • Patent number: 11633042
    Abstract: A ball bearing drawer slide bracket includes: a vertical panel with upper and lower edges; a nub extending from a first side of the vertical panel; a rear wall positioned generally parallel to and fixed relative to the vertical panel; and a generally C-shaped channel fixed to and extending forwardly from the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: William Duggins
  • Patent number: 11503908
    Abstract: An undermount slide bracket includes: a vertical panel with upper and lower edges; a nub extending from a first side of the vertical panel; a horizontal floor fixed relative to the vertical panel; and two pairs of wings extending forwardly from the floor, each pair of wings extending laterally in opposite directions from a foundation, the pairs of wings being arranged in stacked, spaced apart relationship, such that a gap is formed between vertically adjacent wings. The foundation has an alternating series of ribs and recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: William Duggins
  • Patent number: 9549613
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket attached to a drawer slide. The recess is configured to receive and capture a nub extending from the panel of the mating bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 8911037
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: a main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket that is attached to a drawer slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 8616664
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a sliding drawer or tray to a frame includes: a main panel; a front panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a floor panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a front lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel; and a floor lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel. In this configuration, the bracket can facilitate precise but simple mounting of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7984954
    Abstract: A mounting member for a cabinet tray or drawer includes: an elongate body portion having a front mounting surface and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures located in the front mounting surface. The body portion is a unitary structure and being formed of a polymeric material. This mounting member can be employed in cabinets to mount trays or drawers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7780206
    Abstract: A device for protecting first and second con fronting furniture components includes a base member having opposite first and second faces. The first face is adapted to contact the first furniture component, and the base member has a cushioning projection that extends outwardly from the second face of the base member and covers a void within the base member. The projection is adapted to contact the second furniture component as it confronts the first furniture component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Tenn Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7547080
    Abstract: A connector for supporting one or more mounting members that may be used in mounting a drawer within a cabinet includes: a vertically elongated base configured to abut an interior face of a wall of the cabinet and vertically elongated first and second mounting panels that are connected to and projecting outwardly from the base. The second mounting panel may be spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the first mounting panel, and the first and second mounting panels may extend from a base panel that extends perpendicular to the first and second mounting panels. The connector may also include an end panel that connects the distal end of the first mounting panel to the distal end of the second mounting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7178886
    Abstract: Connectors for attaching a false front panel over an opening in an object comprise a post piece that is configured to attach to the object and a clip piece that comprises a base that is configured to attach to a rear face of the false front panel and at least one snap clip projecting from the base that is configured to receive the post. The post piece of these false front connectors includes a post that has a non-circular cross-section (e.g., a diamond shape), and the interior of the snap clip may also have a non-circular cross-section that is matched to the cross-section of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6881469
    Abstract: A protective device that may be used to shield the corner and/or edges of an object from damage during shipping, storage, handling or the like comprises a cap member, first and second outer arms and first and second inner arms. The arms are connected (either directly or indirectly) to the cap member and extend downwardly therefrom. The first and second inner arms are located generally opposite the first and second outer arms, respectively. The first and second inner arms may each include a protrusion that projects toward the first and second outer arms, respectively. Additionally, the first and second outer arms may be positioned so as to define an obtuse angle (e.g., 135 degrees) opposite the vertical plane defined by the downwardly extending first inner arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6840590
    Abstract: A mounting member for a cabinet tray or drawer includes: an elongate body portion having a front mounting surface and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures located in the front mounting surface. The body portion is a unitary structure and being formed of a polymeric material. This mounting member can be employed in cabinets to mount trays or drawers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6835022
    Abstract: A connector for an enclosure comprises: a main panel having inner and outer surfaces and a front end; a toe kick support panel extending generally perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of the inner surface of the main panel; a toe kick retaining flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front end of the inner surface of the main panel, the toe kick retaining flange, the toe kick support panel, and the main panel inner surface defining an open toe kick channel; and a side edge retaining flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front end of the outer surface of the main panel. In certain embodiments, the toe kick retaining flange and the side edge retaining flange are directly opposite each other across the main panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6729664
    Abstract: A device for protecting first and second confronting furniture components includes a base member having opposite first and second faces. The first face is adapted to contact the first furniture component, and the base member has a cushioning projection that extends outwardly from the second face of the base member and covers a void within the base member. The projection is adapted to contact the second furniture component as it confronts the first furniture component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: D494057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: D753465
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Marsh
  • Patent number: D784790
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TENN-TEX PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Marsh