Patents Examined by B. Dayoan
  • Patent number: 6345422
    Abstract: A combination vault and casket assembly constructed of a vacuum formed polystyrene material and incorporating ballast stabilization during underground interment. A body includes a bottom, first and second upwardly extending side walls and first and second interconnecting end walls within which are defined inwardly vacuum formed depressions and which define in combination an upwardly facing perimeter. An arcuately shaped lid includes a downwardly facing perimeter edge capable of being matingly engaged with the upwardly facing perimeter edge to secure the lid to the body. A substantially planar shaped platform base has an upper face and a lower face, the upper face being configured about an outer raised and perimeter edge to receive the bottom of the body in slidably resistive fashion. An interior canyon of the platform base further includes a plurality of individual raised surfaces defining upper projections and reverse faces of the projections define corresponding recessed surfaces within the lower face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Greenwood, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Darby
  • Patent number: 6343737
    Abstract: A mail slot door immobilizer for immobilizing a mail slot door within a main door, including an interior portion located on an interior side of the mail slot door and overlapping the mail slot door and the main door, and an exterior portion located on an exterior side of the mail slot door and overlapping the mail slot door and the main door. A fastener removably fastens the interior portion to the exterior portion to clamp the mail slot door and the main door between the interior and exterior portions and to prevent movement of the mail slot door with respect to the main door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Security Accessories Corp.
    Inventor: Dwayne Roger Adams
  • Patent number: 6341438
    Abstract: An advertising display device usable for the collection and temporary retention of waste is defined by a hollow container having a movable front panel for accessing the interior. A frame in the interior provides for the emplacement of at least two trash bags to enable separable depositing of different sorts of waste thereinto to increase ease of recycling. At least one transparent layer mounted to the front panel cooperates therewith to define a pocket therebetween for removable emplacement of advertising media therewithin. The device is attachable to a post or other stanchion. In an alternate embodiment, the device is unitary in construction, a hinged top wall provides access to the interior, and multiple removable canisters in the interior enable separable depositing of different sorts of waste thereinto to increase ease of recycling. In the alternate embodiment, at least one divider may be used to separate the interior into multiple compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Evangelo Sianos
  • Patent number: 6339891
    Abstract: A picture frame comprises mitred metallic frame sections, each of which has a locking channel and a rearwardly facing opening, and a corner piece in each corner of the frame to lock adjacent frame sections together. Each corner piece comprises an L-shaped locking plate and an L-shaped backing plate, with the legs of each plate extending into the locking channels of adjacent frame section. In one embodiment, each locking plate has a single threaded aperture at the junction of the two legs which form the L and a screw extending through the aperture into engagement with the associated backing plate. The screw is accessible through the rearwardly facing opening of adjacent frame sections at their mitred junction. In a second embodiment, a cam positioned at the junction of the legs of the two plates is rotated to force the plates apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Nielsen & Bainbridge L.L.C.
    Inventor: Eugene Cox
  • Patent number: 6340180
    Abstract: A releasable coupling assembly for use within a vehicle fuel line including a first elongate and internally hollowed tubular member exhibiting an annular projecting lip from an exterior surface of the first tubular member and at a specified distance from an exposed end. A second elongate and internally hollowed tubular member terminating at one end in a longitudinally extending receptacle portion which is communicable with the second tubular member. The receptacle portion having an annular side wall and an annular end wall defining an open interior and capable of receiving the exposed end of the first tubular member an axially inserted distance. A retainer clip includes an apertured base and first, second and third circumferentially arrayed and deflectable legs. Each of the legs further includes a straight portion and a reverse angled bend portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: David M. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6338211
    Abstract: A memorial marker that includes a cap, that is attached to the uppermost end of a rod and is a conventionally-oriented five point star that has a pair of lowermost pointed arms that depend skewly outwardly from the rod, and which equidistantly straddle, and clear, the uppermost end of the rod, and as a result thereof, allows a left half to be releasably captured between the pair of lowermost pointed arms and the uppermost end of the rod so as to maintain the card in a closed mode thereof when a left half of the card is folded onto a right half of the card, and the card is moved vertically upwardly on the rod, and the left half of the card is flexed and engaged between the pair of lowermost pointed arms and the uppermost end of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Mary Lou Carney
  • Patent number: 6334636
    Abstract: A remotely controllable lock includes a turn knob rotatably mounted to a main housing. The turn knob includes an axle rod with a non-circular hole through which a spindle of the lock extends. A power element is mounted in the main housing for driving a relatively larger gear of a power device. The relatively larger gear and a relatively smaller gear are integrally formed on a common shaft that has two ends to which two slide blocks are pivotally mounted, respectively. The slide blocks are mounted in a receiving hole in the main housing and a receiving hole in a fixing plate. The slide blocks are biased by elastic elements. One of the slide blocks includes a stub that extends beyond the associated receiving hole to come in contact with a sensor. The sensor sends out a signal to stop the power element. The relatively smaller gear meshes with a control gear of a control device. The control gear is rotatably mounted around the axle rod of the turn knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chih-Cheng Huang, Jo-Chiao Wang
  • Patent number: 6334635
    Abstract: A latch bolt mechanism of a tubular lock allows adjustment in backset by using an extension casing. The latch bolt mechanism has a latch bolt housing having a latch bolt mounted therein, the latch bolt being movable beyond a face plate or retracted into the face plate. Two plates are connected together and mounted to an inner end of the latch bolt. The plates includes aligned two first positioning holes, aligned second positioning hole, and aligned openings. An actuating plate is mounted between the plates and includes an end operably connected to the latch bolt. The other end of the actuating plate includes two teeth each having a block formed thereon. The blocks are pressed against by a follower plate that also includes two teeth. When either tooth of the actuating plate or the follower plate is pressed against by a spindle of the lockset, the latch bolt is retracted. An extension casing is mounted around the plates and movable toward or away from the latch bolt housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 6332285
    Abstract: A plastic tab for indexing or marking a folder or an edge portion of an article such as an organizer or storage system. The lower portion of the tab has two downwardly extending walls, between which an edge of the folder or other article may be placed. The downwardly extending walls are configured and adapted to create an interference fit when the folder or other article is inserted between the walls of the tab. The interference fit enables the tab to remain securely in the desired position along the edge portion. The tab is made of a flexible polymeric material so that it may be mounted, re-positioned or removed easily. Removal of the tab from a wall edge causes the walls to flex apart and thereby eliminate or minimize the interference fit between the tab lower walls and the article on which the tab is mounted. Removal of the tab is therefore a smooth and simple operation that minimizes breakage of the tab or damage to the folder, organizer or storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Esselte Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Aaldenberg, Lee A. Boy, Michael Birch, Robert D. Seiler, James J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6332284
    Abstract: A panel display having a stretchable structure made of articulated, tubular elements collapsible together with an internal elastic cord. The elements are articulated on a central assembling support for mounting. Some relatively rigid elements are fixed on the support while obliquely diverging away from it so as to form feet with a ground footprint shaped as a regular polygon. Other elements form relatively flexible bows each of which will respectively support at its free end a suspendible panel in its middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Tafforeau
  • Patent number: 6328344
    Abstract: A pipe fitting includes a slider disposed in an insertion hole of a main body so as to be axially moved and includes a pressed portion which a falling-off preventing flange of a pipe abuts so that the slider is pressed axially when the pipe is inserted into the insertion hole. A fitting checker includes a pair of spreading legs having respective claws, the fitting checker being detachably attached to the main body so that the legs hold the main body. The claws engage the body and the slider so that the fitting checker is not allowed to be detached from the body when the legs are closed. The legs are spread so as to release the claws from engagement with the body and the slider so that the fitting checker is allowed to be detached from the body. Releasing protrusions are formed to protrude from inside portions of the legs of the fitting checker, the releasing protrusions being pressed so that the legs are elastically deformed in respective opening directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tozaki, Masatoshi Harada
  • Patent number: 6328205
    Abstract: An interlocking door seam provides a stronger seam for double doors, making them less subject to attack by prybars and the like. Particularly for central mail stations (CMS) and central box units CBU, double doors present there are subject to attack by prybars and the like that force the locks and allow thieves to rifle the contents of the enclosed mail boxes. Attachment of interlocking door seam to the first edge of the first double doors protects that first edge from prybar attacks. The adjoining edge of the second double door then releasably fits into a convex strip that protects the adjoining edge of the second double door, thereby protecting it from prybar attack. The interlocking door seam allows normal operation of the double doors while decreasing the risk to the central mail station of prybar attack at the seam between the double doors. Flanges present along the free edge of the convex strip provide easy engagement of that free edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: CanAm Marketing Corp.
    Inventors: C. Dale Noblet, Stephen R. Packer
  • Patent number: 6327804
    Abstract: A garden marker device has a cover, a back and a stake. The cover is transparent and has a periphery bounded by a top margin, a bottom margin and a pair of side margins. The back is connected to the top margin and the pair of side margins of the cover, so as to define an enclosure between the cover and the back extending between the side margins. The stake is connected to the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: James H. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6324737
    Abstract: A casket or coffin is provided with a drawer to receive an urn or other vessel containing ashes of a decedent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: The York Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chamness, Barry Alvey
  • Patent number: 6324868
    Abstract: A user customizable pendant that includes a frame with a hole, a transparent front window, and a back member, which may or may not also be transparent. The front window and back member couple to the frame to form a vessel with an inner cavity. The pendant includes a funnel coupled to the frame, with a hole at the bottom that provides access to the inner cavity ofthe pendant. The user customizes the pendant by placing real or simulated birthstones, other simulated stones, charms, or other small objects into the inner cavity through the funnel such that they are visible through the front window. In one embodiment, the funnel includes two aligned, transverse holes, through which a necklace, bracelet, chain, cord, ribbon, or other structure can be threaded that captures the objects inside the pendant. In another embodiment, the funnel is located at the side, and the pendant may or may not include a plug capable of being removably coupled to the funnel to block the bottom hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: PAJ, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Yuan-Chi Chen, Joseph A. Corso, Samuel Schildcrout
  • Patent number: 6324869
    Abstract: A system and method utilizing a display apparatus for enhancing the viewed brightness of a precious or semi-precious stone. The system and method includes a display container having an outer body, a back cover, a transparent front cover located a distance from the back cover, at least one metal bearing having a facetted exterior lower surface and sized to fit within the container between the back cover and the front cover. The metal bearing is adapted to pin or nail a precious or semi-precious stone thereby retaining the stone and the height of the metal bearing and stone is less than the distance between the front and back covers. The distance between the front and back covers is such that the stone containing metal bearing is able to rock or tilt from side to side without falling completely on its side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Vanli Kuyumculuk Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi
    Inventor: Murat Vanlioglu
  • Patent number: 6322273
    Abstract: Joint restraint assembly for connecting pipes which includes a substantially annular body, at least one segment, and at least one bolt. The annular body is configured to fit around a pipe and has at least one pocket formed adjacent the pipe and at least one bore disposed through the body into the pocket. The segment is configured to fit in the pocket. The bolt extends through the bore engaging the segment abutting same against the pipe. In addition, the bolt has a stop ring formed thereon limiting the length the bolt can extend through the bore to a defined length sufficient for retaining the annular body around the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: The Ford Meter Box Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachary J. Gentile, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6322111
    Abstract: An air duct installation joins the ends of two air ducts together using a self-seal coupling connector. The coupling connector has a band with first and second edges and inside and outside surfaces. First and second gaskets are provided, with each gasket being wrapped around a respective edge of the band. Each gasket has a first portion that is interposed between the band and the respective air duct. The first portion of each gasket has seals or lips that extend into contact with the respective air duct. In addition, the first portion of each gasket has a bead that serves as a mechanical stop. The air duct is installed by sliding onto the gasket, wherein the end of the air duct contacts the bead. In addition, the first portion of each gasket is inclined between the lips and the bead. This inclination results in an increasing gasket thickness toward the bead, wherein another seal is provided and the joint is snugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lewis & Lambert, L.L.L.P.
    Inventor: Larry V. Brady
  • Patent number: 6321476
    Abstract: A kit and method for creating an article display includes a frame having two openings. The completed display includes a clay tablet having an impression formed therein located within one of the frame openings and a picture located in the other frame opening. The kit is suitable for making impressions of baby's hands or feet and displaying a picture of the baby along with the tablet carrying the impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Mark J. Parini
  • Patent number: 6318627
    Abstract: A one-piece upright hollow vending cabinet is formed by rotomolding a thermoplastics material and includes an upper portion supported by an integrally connected lower portion. The upper portion has internal walls defining a first chamber for receiving a stack of paper publications, and a pivotal front door provides access to the chamber and publications. The lower portion of the cabinet defines a second chamber for receiving a flowable ballast material such as sand or gravel, and includes a flared base portion having a bottom wall with an inverted funnel portion. The funnel portion has a top port for pouring the ballast material into the second chamber when the box is inverted, and a removable plug closes the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Richard R. Koebbe