Patents Examined by Anita M. King
  • Patent number: 11018620
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Rossi, Ethan Ely
  • Patent number: 11006770
    Abstract: A self-locking device for hanging objects on a mounting surface is disclosed. The self-locking device includes a mounting bracket and a locking arm member engaged with a track portion of the mounting bracket. The track portion comprising a pair of guide portions, a pair of lip portions extending from a lower end of the guide portions, a pair of rotation portions extending from an upper end of the guide portions, and a slot extending between the pairs of guide portions, lip portions and rotation portions. The arm member being mated with the track portion such that the arm member is translatable along the track portion. The arm member comprising a tip portion, a base portion positioned at least partially within the slot, and at least two pairs of projections extending from the base portion that engage with one of the pairs of guide portions, lip portions and rotation portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Ryan Richman
  • Patent number: 11001202
    Abstract: A method of assembling a mirror head for an interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a mirror casing, a prismatic reflective element at the mirror casing, and a toggle mechanism. A pivot mount of the toggle mechanism is inserted into an upper or lower receiving portion of the mirror casing, and a body portion of the toggle mechanism is separated from a toggle lever of the toggle mechanism via breaking a frangible portion of the toggle mechanism. After breaking the frangible portion of the toggle mechanism, a second pivot mount of the toggle mechanism is inserted into the lower or upper receiving portion of the mirror casing, whereby corresponding engaging surfaces of the body portion and the toggle lever engage one another such that, when the toggle lever pivots relative to the lower receiving portion of the mirror casing, the mirror casing pivots relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew V. Steffes
  • Patent number: 11001184
    Abstract: A beverage container holding device includes a housing member for housing a beverage container, a movable floor attached to the housing member for supporting a beverage container bottom, a movable floor biasing member for upwardly biasing the movable floor, and a movable floor locking mechanism for securing the movable floor at a predetermined height against the movable floor biasing member. The housing member has a guide groove, and the movable floor has a branch portion extending through the guide groove to an outside of the housing member, and a claw portion extending horizontally from the branch portion. The movable floor locking mechanism includes an annular member which is rotatably mounted below a bottom member, at least one column member extending upward from the annular member in parallel to the guide groove, and a lock piece integrally formed on each column member for suppressing an upper surface of the claw portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MORIROKU TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Kotsuji
  • Patent number: 10994409
    Abstract: Described herein is an arm supporting exoskeleton, comprising an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link, a distal link, an arm coupler, and a variable force generator. The distal link is rotatable relative to the proximal link. The arm coupler is adapted to couple an upper arm of a person to the distal link. The variable force generator comprises a first spring and a second spring, configured to create a torque between the proximal link and the distal link. In the first force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a first stiffness rate defined by the first spring that supports the upper arm of the person against gravity forces and. In the second force mode, the variable force generator exhibits a second stiffness rate defined by the first spring and the second spring that supports the upper arm of the person against the gravity forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Logan Van Engelhoven, Homayoon Kazerooni
  • Patent number: 10993778
    Abstract: A medical device support system including a central shaft, an extension arm, a brake clamp assembly, and a brake actuator. The extension arm has a support for a medical device and a hub at its proximal end mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft. The brake clamp assembly is secured in the hub for rotation therewith and includes first and second clamp portions. The brake actuator includes a cap, a plunger coupled to the cap for reciprocable axial movement relative to the cap, and a spring disposed between the cap and the plunger and configured to exert a biasing force against movement of the cap axially toward the plunger. The cap is adjustably mounted to the hub and coupled to the plunger to selectively urge the first and second clamp portions either toward or away from the central shaft to respectively increase or decrease a frictional braking force to the central shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Lance Clark Bellows, Christopher Roy Mohr
  • Patent number: 10993886
    Abstract: A bottle holder, which is secured on a supporting surface, comprises a receiving base and a telescoping shaft inserted into the receiving base. A portion of the shaft is elastic, such that it can be flexed (bent and/or twisted) to a comfortable close position of the bottle, held by the bottled holder, to the user who will be consuming the bottle's contents, without the aid or assistance of another individual. When the user finishes drinking from the bottle and releases the bottle, the shaft springs (snaps) back to its initial, unbiased position, where the supported bottle is angled upwards in such a way that any contents left in the bottle will not spill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Zedco Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Black, Zoe Black, Michael Paloian, Anthony Orchard, Joe Toro
  • Patent number: 10988982
    Abstract: A roller shade mounting element comprising: a bracket having a first end configured to couple to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly; a first surface carried by the first end configured to bear against the support surface; a second end included in the bracket substantially opposite the first end; a second surface carried by the second end disposed between the first end and the second end, the second surface configured to support an end of the roller window shade assembly; and a member coupled with the bracket and configured to engage the roller window shade assembly, and the member configured to limit rotation of at least a portion of the roller window shade assembly; and, wherein the combination of the bracket and the roller window shade assembly completely obscures at least a portion of the bracket to an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: GeigTech East Bay LLC
    Inventor: James Geiger
  • Patent number: 10988197
    Abstract: A retaining assembly to attach one or more mobile devices to a mobile object. The retaining assembly may include a mounting plate that attaches to the mobile object by way of a mounting bracket or scorecard clip-on. The mounting bracket provides dovetails for selecting engaging the mounting plate in different orientations. The mounting plate facilitates various magnetized components to removably attach to the mobile device. If the mobile device has a third-party extensible grip, a retaining ring may be employed to attach the mobile device or the extensible grip modified to one of the various magnetized components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventors: Leslie Ronald Hamilton, John Carr
  • Patent number: 10986941
    Abstract: An interchangeable fastener system for use in combination with a perforated board or other surface on a vertical plane includes a main fastener including a base for supporting the main fastener on the perforated board; the base surrounding a channel defined by an inner surface including opposing ramp surfaces to facilitate tightening of an attachment member, and a mechanical stop adjacent each ramp surface to prevent over rotation of the attachment member; and the attachment member including an elongate member having opposing ends, wherein the elongate member is sized and configured for selective passage through the channel from the front surface through the rear surface and wherein the attachment member may be selectively rotated so that opposing ends of the elongate member are each in engaged abutment against a corresponding one of the opposing ramp surfaces and mechanical stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Zalme
  • Patent number: 10989333
    Abstract: In an example, an adjustable clamp system includes a base, a clamp assembly, and a first eccentric bushing. The base includes an anchor portion configured to couple the base to a support structure, a first clamp-support portion extending from the anchor portion, and a second clamp-support portion extending from the anchor portion. The clamp assembly includes a clamp defining a bore, a first flange extending from a first side of the clamp and coupled to the first clamp-support portion, and a second flange extending from a second side of the clamp and coupled to the second clamp-support portion. The first eccentric bushing couples the first flange to the first clamp-support portion. The first eccentric bushing is rotatable relative to the first flange to translate the clamp assembly in a first direction relative to the base and adjust a distance between the clamp and the anchor portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael Wallace Bailey
  • Patent number: 10980340
    Abstract: A tray holds a media device in a substantially facedown position. The tray may have a transparent bottom surface or a window, permitting content on the media device to be viewed from below, through the transparent surface or window. The tray may optionally be angled, at a fixed or adjustable angle, for optimal orientation during viewing. The tray may be secured to a wall, cabinet, table, or other surface or object, either in a fixed or adjustable position. The tray may include a lip around its edges, to ensure that the media device does not slide off during normal operation. Optionally, additional mechanisms can be provided to further secure the media device within the tray; these can include, for example, elastic strap(s), hook-and-loop fastener(s), adhesive fastener(s), magnet(s), tension clip(s), spring(s), a lid, and/or the like. The tray may also include cutouts to enable access to features of the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Melissa Narula
  • Patent number: 10975988
    Abstract: A fastening device for hoses including two fastening parts two fastening parts adapted to be joined with each other and each having at least one recess which, in the joined state of the fastening parts, form at least one passage for at least one hose. The fastening parts are each formed by a fastening body with an elastic fastening component, wherein the fastening body has a lower elasticity than the elastic fastening component. The elastic fastening component respectively forms a recess surface in the recess. The elastic fastening component is molded to the fastening body to form a chemical bond with the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hamm AG
    Inventors: Ronny Pieske, Holger Wolfrum
  • Patent number: 10975511
    Abstract: A support for household appliance comprises a hydraulic plate with an internal liquid flow passage; a sheath fixedly connected with the hydraulic plate; a regulating support arranged in the sheath and axially movable relative to the sheath; and an accommodation chamber formed by the hydraulic plate, the sheath and the regulating support. A flexible accommodation body accommodates a liquid medium in the accommodation chamber, and extends and retracts to drive the regulating support in the sheath for leveling under the action of pressure. The flexible accommodation body is provided with an opening part mounted on the hydraulic plate in a sealed manner and communicates with the liquid flow passage. Th A hydraulic medium in the flexible accommodation body can circulate into the liquid flow passage and flow to the liquid outlet nozzle through the liquid flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10968559
    Abstract: A support for household appliance comprises a hydraulic plate internally provided with a liquid flow passage, a sheath fixedly connected with the hydraulic plate, a regulating support arranged in the sheath and axially movable relative to the sheath, an accommodation chamber is formed by the hydraulic plate, the sheath and the regulating support. A flexible accommodation body that accommodates a liquid medium in the accommodation chamber extends and retracts to drive the regulating support to move in the sheath for leveling under the action of pressure. The flexible accommodation body is provided with an mounted on the hydraulic plate through the sheath in a sealed manner and communicates with the a liquid flow passage. The hydraulic medium in the flexible accommodation body can circulate into the liquid flow passage and flow to the liquid outlet nozzle through the a liquid flow passage, and thus, among household-appliance-used bottom feet for automatic leveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10968088
    Abstract: The shingle installation jack devices may be mounted once at a first roof level, providing support for the walk board. When installation or repair of the shingles is complete at the first level of the roof, the shingle installation jack devices may be operated in tandem to raise the level of the walk board to a second level of the roof. Shingle installation and/or repair may then be carried out at this second roof level without the need to re-mount the walk board supports at the second level. The shingle installation jack devices may also be run in reverse to lower the walk boards. The shingle installation device includes a frame and utilizes a winch motor to adjust the effective length of a cable and thus adjustably raise or lower the walk boards to any desired roof level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Mathias Dorsey, Joseph Anthony Wills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10967760
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for coupling a component to a vehicle including a bracket body including a C-ring retainer that is adapted to translatably engage and retain a T-shaped guide rail coupled to one of a crossmember and floor structure of the vehicle, wherein the bracket body defines a hole or includes an attachment structure adapted to receive and retain the component. The bracket body further includes one or more flanges adapted to secure the bracket body to the crossmember or floor structure of the vehicle via bolting and/or welding. Optionally, the bracket body includes: a front attachment arm; a rear attachment arm; one or more intervening structural reinforcement members; a bottom portion coupled to the attachment arms; and a cap structure coupled to the attachment arms opposite the bottom portion; wherein the bottom portion includes the C-ring retainer and the cap structure defines the hole or includes the attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Rebecca Andersson, Austen Clark, Jonatan Tågerud
  • Patent number: 10961671
    Abstract: A support system for a sign mountable on at least two spaced apart foundation members, the system comprising: i) a base, preferably a length adjustable base, having a first end and a second end; ii) a vertical sign support having a first end and a second end wherein the second end is connected to the base; iii) a first foundation member bracket for connection to a first foundation member, the first foundation member bracket proximate the first end of the base; and iv) a second foundation member bracket for connection to a second foundation member distant the first foundation member, the second foundation member bracket proximate the second end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: AMG Metals, Inc., Powell (Richmond Hill) Contracting Limited, Stinson Equipment Limited o/a Stinson Owl-Lite
    Inventors: Ben Powell, John David Pierson, James Harold Delamere, Mohammad Bagher Vakili
  • Patent number: 10960279
    Abstract: The invention discloses a golf bag fixing device for a golf cart. The golf bag fixing device for a golf cart includes a base and two fixing assemblies, wherein the two fixing assemblies are arranged at the left end and the right end of the base, each fixing assembly includes a clamping arm and a fixing buckle, the clamping arms are rotatably arranged on the base and are connected with the fixing buckles, a clamping space is formed between the base and the clamping arms of the two fixing assemblies, the clamping arms can be stressed to overcome an acting force from the fixing buckles so as to rotate relative to the base, and the fixing buckles can be stressed to be separated from the clamping arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NINGBO WENTAI SPORT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 10962256
    Abstract: A nesting equipment support pad is disclosed, in particular an outdoor air conditioner compressor pad. The pad comprises a parallelogram upper surface which contacts the compressor and descending side walls from each edge of the parallelogram upper surface. Two side walls include a notch to accommodate a matching notch of another identical support pad when placed in a nesting arrangement. These notched corners are at diagonally opposing corners of each pad permitting the nesting arrangements. Additional, support rib members and protrusions are located within the cavity formed by the four side walls to provide strength and rigidity. These rib members and protrusions are placed in an offset manner to permit the nesting arrangement without interference with the mating pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Rectorseal, LLC
    Inventor: Zhengyi Xu