Patents Examined by Andrew Roersma
  • Patent number: 8905496
    Abstract: A work station comprises a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to a surface. An upper arm and a lower arm are mounted to the mounting bracket for pivoting motion about a first vertical axis. A track is pivoted to the upper arm and the lower arm about a second vertical axis where the track supports a vertically displaceable carriage. The carriage may support a monitor and work platform where the work platform supports a key board tray. A lift system supports the carriage for vertical movement. Work station mounting systems are also provided for movably supporting a work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Roddy Burgess, Ian Cunningham, Robert Grant McRorie
  • Patent number: 8905498
    Abstract: A retracting device retracts a movably supported furniture part to the closed end position relative to a furniture body. The device includes a carrier, which can be detachably coupled to the movable furniture part and which is movably supported along a movement path that is linear at least in some sections, and at least one spring device for applying force to the carrier. The spring device can be tensioned by a spring retainer that is separate from the carrier, and the spring retainer is movably supported against or on the carrier. A coupling device is provided in order to couple motion between the carrier and the spring retainer. By the coupling device, the articulated attachment point of the spring device on the spring retainer falls back relative to the position of the moving carrier when the carrier is pulled out, so that the motion of the articulated attachment point of the spring device on the spring retainer is slower than the motion of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Hammerle
  • Patent number: 8899702
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a shell base, a shell cover and a latch mechanism including an operating component, a pivot axle and a driving axle. The operating component has an access portion and two support portions extending through the shell cover. The pivot axle extends through the support portions, and has two end parts disposed at opposite lateral sides of the support portions and coupled rotatably to the shell cover. The driving axle extends through the support portions and is received in a limit groove of the shell base. The access portion is pivotable about the pivot axle from a closed position to an open position while the driving axle is positioned in the slide direction, thereby moving the pivot axle and the shell cover relative to the shell base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong-Hui Mao, Dong-Ying Chen, Zhang-Rong Jin, Hung-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 8899701
    Abstract: A household item (12), such as a microwave oven, can be moved from a lowered storage position to a raised usable position. In the storage position the moving surface lid (14) is flat with the surrounding work surface (10) having been lowered by a manual force and held in place by a suitable catch or latching mechanism. The household item can be raised by pushing the housing slightly downwards, thus releasing the housing from its anchored position. A counterweight (15) greater than the weight of the household item is suspended by way of a wire and pulley system (1a, 1b, 1c) that in turn powers the platform and displaces the lid, on which the household item is located, upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cardinal IP Limited
    Inventor: Elaine Claire Walker
  • Patent number: 8864250
    Abstract: A refrigerator which includes a refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator drawer assembly disposed within the cabinet, the assembly including: (a) a refrigerator drawer body with a bottom and a plurality of upright walls operatively connected to the bottom; (b) a perimeter frame with front, back and opposite portions; (c) a support member having a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and a plurality of walls, the support member interchangeably connected to the front and back portions of the perimeter frame; and (d) a refrigerator drawer subassembly configured to support and allow for movement of the refrigerator drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy M. Anderson, Todd E. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8857931
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body having a storage space. The body includes an inner case having the storage space, an outer case having an inside surface spaced a predetermined gap from an outside surface of the inner case to house the inner case, a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case sealed to maintain a vacuum state for heat insulating between the inner case and the outer case, a supporting portion provided to contact with the outside surface of the inner case and the inside surface of the outer case to maintain a spaced state of the vacuum space, and a dewing preventive unit adjacent to the supporting portion for preventing dewing from taking place at the outer case by suppressing surface temperature drop of the outer case caused by cold conducted from the inner case to the outer case through the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wonyeong Jung, Myungryul Lee, Sung Jhee
  • Patent number: 8851586
    Abstract: An automatic full-open type sliding box mounting structure includes a sliding box, a sliding track assembly mounted at the bottom side of the sliding box, and a first opening and closing device and a second opening and closing device and a reset device mounted at the top side of the sliding box in such a manner that the first opening and closing device and the second opening and closing device are capable of automatically moving the sliding box to the full-open position and, the reset device is capable of reset the first opening and closing device and the second opening and closing device when the user pushes the sliding box back to the close position for a next sliding box opening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nan Juen International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8833877
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for pivotably attaching a door to a domestic appliance. The hinge assembly includes a damper cylinder; a rod partially located inside the cylinder and partially located outside the cylinder, the rod having an outer surface and being slidable relative to the cylinder in a reciprocating motion between a fully contracted position and a fully extended position; and a coil spring positioned inside the cylinder and around the rod such that the rod extends through a center of the coil spring, the coil spring having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the rod contacts the inner surface of the coil spring to prevent the outer surface of the coil spring from contacting the inside surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Suad Elkasevic, George May
  • Patent number: 8833881
    Abstract: A parts storage drawer system is described having part bin dividers that are easily adjusted by sliding the divider along a rail or divider enables changing of divider location without removal of the divider from the drawer. A parts identification card may be coupled to a divider, such as by insertion into a slot within a divider. Furthermore, a parts identification card may be inserted into and removed from a divider without removing or repositioning the divider. A parts storage drawer system may be an insert tray that may comprise one or more molded parts. The parts storage drawer system provides an organizational method for the storage, separation, identification and availability of a variety of parts through the utilization of mechanical means, including dividers having clips that extend over partitions or rails for coupling thereto. Partitions and/or rails may include a plurality of locking segments for detachably attaching dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Forte USA
    Inventors: Mark L Manniso, James L Manniso
  • Patent number: 8833568
    Abstract: To provide a controller stand device capable of stably standing any of two controllers having different thickness. A controller stand device has a pedestal having a support concave formed thereon, the support concave having a size large enough to accept the first controller inserted therein. The controller stand device has a support member to be pressed onto the external surface of the controller inserted in the support concave to thereby stand the controller. The support member is capable of moving between a first support position in which the support member is pressed onto the external surface of the first controller when the first controller is inserted in the support concave and a second position in which the support member is pressed onto the external surface of the second controller when the second controller is inserted in the support concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyasu Tsunezumi, Takamasa Araki
  • Patent number: 8827390
    Abstract: An appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A container is received within the chamber. A biasing member is configured for urging the container upwardly along a vertical direction. By urging the container upwardly, the biasing member can lift the container and facilitate access to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ross Benson Wehner, Ronald Scott Tarr, Raymond James VanAssche, Joseph Emil Gormley
  • Patent number: 8827384
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an apparatus casing and a fixing structure disposed in the apparatus casing. The fixing structure includes a mounting base, close to a main board inside the apparatus casing and thereon forming a sliding slot, and a detachable bracket, including a frame and a guiding part connected to the frame fixedly. The guiding part is capable of being slid into the sliding slot so as to mount the detachable bracket on the mounting base. The frame forms an accommodating space in the apparatus casing. The opening of the accommodating space is toward the opening of the apparatus casing; a removable power module is capable of being inserted into the accommodating space through the openings. Thereby, the invention can reduce the installation complexity of a conventional fixing structure for removable power module efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8807670
    Abstract: A piece of furniture has an actuating arrangement for a flap of the piece of furniture. An actuating arm arrangement includes a lever arrangement for moving the flap and a main spring that acts in the closing direction (SR) to hold the flap closed. The piece of furniture also has an ejecting device for ejecting the flap in the opening direction (OR) by overpressing the flap in the closing direction (SR). At least one support spring acts in the opening direction (OR) and is separate from the ejecting device, and supports the ejecting motion of the ejecting device. At least in an overpressed closed position (US), the spring forces (A, U) are together greater than the closing force (Z) which acts on the flap and which is provided by the main spring acting in the closing direction (SR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Blum
  • Patent number: 8777166
    Abstract: A modular, self-contained optical box is provided. The optical box has a back plate fixedly attached to a front wall. Optical sensors, such as infrared cameras, visible cameras and optical pointers, are fixedly attached to the front wall and the back plate. Distal, round ends of the optical sensors are captured by translation plates. Each translation plate is capable of moving the distal end of the optical element in two directions to or in a planar fashion to align the optical element to the optical box, or to adjust the line of sight of the optical sensors relative to the optical box, before securing the distal end of the optical element. The optical box is designed to be incorporated into a gimbal, and the front wall forms a part of an outer housing of the gimbal. In one embodiment, the optical box is rotatable about one axis relative to the gimbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Hebert
  • Patent number: 8777340
    Abstract: A pull-out guide for drawers includes a body rail to be fastened to a furniture body and at least one pull-out rail that can be moved relative to the body rail. The guide also includes an adjustment device by which a position of a drawer that is connected or can be connected to the pull-out rail can be adjusted. The adjustment device includes at least one retaining pin that can be inserted in a provided borehole of the drawer and a bearing part mounted on the pull-out rail. The bearing part is arranged at the rear end of the pull-out rail and extends at a distance to an upper side of the pull-out rail in a substantially horizontal direction in the longitudinal direction of the pull-out rail, wherein the bearing part is mounted adjustably inside the retaining pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Greussing
  • Patent number: 8764133
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a hinge bracket that is installed on a cabinet between an upper door and a lower door, which are configured to individually open and close an upper portion and a lower portion of a cabinet, respectively, and rotatably supports the upper door and the lower door, the hinge bracket coupled to a connecting member through a reinforcing bracket, which is installed at an inner side of a wall forming a heat insulation space of the cabinet, thereby enhancing the sealing performance of a filler unit configured to seal between the upper door and the lower door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yong Park, Hyun Tae Chu, Hyoung Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 8764136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device for detachably connecting a drawer to a movable rail of a drawer pull-out guide. The coupling device includes at least one movably mounted coupling part for detachably connecting the coupling device to the movable rail of the drawer pull-out guide. The coupling device includes an adapter device, so that the height position of the coupling part relative to the draw bottom can be adjusted. The adapter device includes a bearing part to be fastened to the drawer, and an adjustment part is connected to the coupling part. The adjustment part is adjustably supported in a direction substantially at a right angle to the drawer bottom in order to adjust the height position of the coupling part relative to the bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Simon Grabherr
  • Patent number: 8757738
    Abstract: A mechanism for closing sliding doors of furniture. The mechanism includes at least two rotatable closing elements, each associated with a respective door. A locking body is associated with the closing element for rotating and locking the closing element in either an open position or a closed position. The closing element also includes a locking portion that, through the rotation of the closing element, can pass from a first position in which the locking portion prevents the translation of the sliding doors of the furniture, to a second position which allows the translation of the sliding doors. The closing mechanism also includes a synchronization bar that makes the closing elements rotate as a unit, ensuring the simultaneous locking of the sliding doors in the closed or open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Unifor S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Fiori
  • Patent number: 8740168
    Abstract: A focal plane assembly facilitates a molybdenum base plate being mounted to another plate made from aluminum. The molybdenum pin is an interference fit (press fit) in the aluminum base plate. An annular cut out area in the base plate forms two annular flexures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventors: William E. Hunt, Jr., Michael P. Chrisp
  • Patent number: 8733855
    Abstract: Modular bucket assemblies enable selective configuration of switchgear compartments for conformance with selective levels of personnel accessibility to energized switchgear. The bucket assemblies can be configured to enable personnel access to energized compartments while service doors are open, such as for instrumentation compartments. Interiors and the front face of instrumentation compartment bucket assemblies are isolated from potential infiltration of hot arc gasses in the switchgear cabinet. Other compartments can be configured to enable personnel access to the front face of a fully closed door energized circuit breaker compartment by isolating the compartment door exterior and venting any hot arc gasses out of the compartment interior in a direction away from the front and other peripheral sides of the switchgear cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry W. Josten, Keith Flowers, Rahul Rajvanshi