Patents Examined by Beth A. Stephan
  • Patent number: 8024823
    Abstract: A water conservation system comprising a reservoir for storing water; a toilet water tank for storing water, the toilet water tank is disposed below the reservoir; and a tube fluidly connecting the reservoir and the tank, wherein the tube is configured such that a first end of the tube reaches near a bottom surface of the reservoir, a second end of the tube reaches near a bottom surface of the tank, and an elevated portion with a crest that is oriented above the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Edward J. Sanaghan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8020355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a crossbeam and the respective crossbeam (1), intended to reinforce the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, guarantee its rigidity and support various devices, the said process being characterised by an alignment between only one main hollow metal body (2) with an elliptical cross-section and one secondary body (3) which is also metal and hollow and has an elliptical or circular cross-section, in that in this alignment the longitudinal axes of the said bodies are coaxial or parallel, in that also in this alignment the contour line of the outer wall of the secondary body is confined by the contour line of the inner wall of the main body, in that prior to this alignment the main body is conformed so as to adapt to the secondary body and in that, in the final phase, the two bodies are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sodecia-Centro Technologico, S.A.
    Inventor: Rui de Lemos Monteiro
  • Patent number: 6681530
    Abstract: A one-piece, watertight flashing having first, second, and third panels joined together by first, second, and third elongated, watertight regions of intersection. The elongated regions of intersection intersect at a watertight common corner. The first and second panels are at a first angle with respect to each other in the first region of intersection, the second and third panels are at a second angle with respect to each other in the second region of intersection, and the first and third panels are at a third angle with respect to each other in the third region of intersection. At least one of the angles is a non-right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Robert D. Givens
  • Patent number: 6601347
    Abstract: A method for making a catch-pit, such as the catch-pits often associated with underground pipeline junctions, manholes, or the like, where it is desirable to join a horizontal pipe with a larger-diameter, vertical, hollow, cylindrical works by means of a cottering or sleeve joint. The method includes the use of a removable profile component at the time the wall element of the pit or manhole is manufactured, to create a specially contoured opening in the wall to receive a correspondingly-shaped sleeve joint, which in turn receives the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Waco-Liesbosch Beton B.V., Ubo Engineering B.V.
    Inventor: Johan Van Den Tol
  • Patent number: 6564521
    Abstract: Rigid structural members, profiles, joints, and forms added to structural sandwich panels to provide higher strength, integral joining joint, and single facing sheet manufacturing. Facing sheets (20) and (22), rigid structural members (24) and (26), latch side and pin side cam-locks (34) and (32), fabricated wire truss assembly (48), and rigid structural headers (28) and (30) and an integrated top plate (29) are positioned into containment form assembly (58) in the proper position. Facing sheets (20) and (22) are placed in position in the containment form assembly (58) forming a structural sandwich panel assembly. A foam resin core material (40) is injected into the structural sandwich panel assembly and allowed to cure. The resultant structural sandwich panel includes rigid structural members (24) and (26) and elongated recesses (36) and (38) which also form a joint for joining abutting structural sandwich panels together and cam-locks (32) and (34) used to secure adjoining panels together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Paul A. Brown, Andrew Bennett Hansen
  • Patent number: 6543464
    Abstract: This invention relates to umbrellas in general. In particular it relates to umbrellas which automatically open and close. This automatic opening and closing of the umbrella in the presented embodiments is accomplished by means of the rotation of a threaded rod. A key improvement disclosed herein includes a simplification both in the construction of the umbrella itself and in the means for conveniently converting the umbrella to the ordinary manually opened and closed umbrella should the necessity occur. It has been discovered by experimentation that parts previously included in the assembly of prior art are unexpectedly not necessary with the proper choice of design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Clyde Calvin Grady, II
  • Patent number: 6508037
    Abstract: A flooring system is disclosed which utilizes prefabricated floor panels installed in side by side relationship. The floor panels support a series of upstanding pedestals. The pedestals are positioned such that they provide a geometric pedestal array. The pedestals support panels which collectively define fluid conduit, power cable and communications chases. Working floor panels are mounted atop the pedestals. A heat pump is connected to supply, return and condensate conduits installed in the conduit chase to supply cooling water from a cooling tower. Metal and plastic embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: David D. Owen
  • Patent number: 6505447
    Abstract: A foundation for a manufactured home having first and secondelongate support beams, each beam having a lateral flange, generally includes a ground pan for spreading out the load to a larger surface area to prevent sinking into the ground and for providing an anchor against horizontal movement, a cross brace assembly for supporting first beam and providing longitudinal bracing, and a lateral brace assembly connected between ground pan and second beam for providing lateral bracing. Cross bracing assembly includes front and back crossing braces of adjustable length, each having an upper end pivotally connected to a connector attached to first beam and each having a bottom end pivotally supported by the ground pan. A U-bolt assembly connects cross braces at their cross point, thereby preventing relative angular movement there between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventors: James Oliver, Evon Oliver
  • Patent number: 6502593
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of erecting a tent comprising two or more beam assemblies is provided. Each of the beam assemblies comprises a roof portion and a pair of legs for supporting the roof portion. A number of base members are secured to the ground at predetermined locations. The roof portions are pivotally connected to the base members and rotated upwardly from the ground while maintaining the connection to the base members. A first side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. A first leg is connected to the first side. The first leg is then connected to the base member. A second side of each of the roof portions is disconnected from an associated one of the base members and raised above the base member. The second leg is connected to the second side. The second leg is then connected to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: S & S Structures, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Stafford
  • Patent number: 6502594
    Abstract: Canopy structure for creating, selectively and removable, a free-standing, temporary canopy over a selected article, such as a food article. This structure includes, fundamentally, a thin flexible, and preferably transparent, sheet canopy material prepared, appropriately, into pre-selected sizes (typically squares or rectangles) and one or more elongate plastically and elastically bendable ribs, made, for example, of a suitable plastic or wire material, which can be bent to the shape of a vaulting arch, which shape is capable substantially of retaining, and which functions as a support over which the canopy sheet material is placed. Opposite ends of such a rib in use may be tucked into articles which form part of the environment of the article which is being covered, or they may be supported in removeably attachable feet that are reusable and are supplied with the rib and sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Caddy Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gail L. Gerstmar
  • Patent number: 6499498
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided having at least two panels, with each of the panels having a flexible loop member defining a closed loop and adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position, and a fabric for partially covering the loop member. The loop members of two adjacent first and second panels overlap each other at a first overlapping point along first edges of the loop members, and at a second overlapping point along second edges of the loop members, with the overlapping loop members defining a hinge portion about which the two loop members of the first and second panels are pivotable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6491050
    Abstract: A leg support for attachment to a crutch for supporting the affected leg of a user, and having a cushioned upper surface. The support is preferably adjustable to a variety of heights on the crutch, and adjustable to position the cushioned upper member at one or more preselected angles for enhanced comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Joe L. Whiddon
  • Patent number: 6491052
    Abstract: Collapsible panels are provided which incorporate two or more separate frame members. The frame members can be positioned at separate locations on the panel, or two or more frame members can be housed in the same frame retaining sleeve. One or more of the panels can be used to form collapsible structures. These collapsible structures can be easily and quickly folded and collapsed into a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6491051
    Abstract: A tent comprising: a) a fabric covering including a plurality of longitudinal walls and end walls, wherein a first longitudinal wall has an opening having around its periphery a panel attachment means and wherein said longitudinal walls are sewn to said end walls; b) a support means positioned in proximity to each of said end walls sufficient to cause said longitudinal walls to form a triangle when affixed to a support means; and c) a panel containing a phase change material sufficient to heat said tent's interior when cold and cool said interior when hot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventors: Richard Carter Pierce, Wanda Lynne Pierce
  • Patent number: 6481174
    Abstract: An auxiliary tool for filling of an organic and/or inorganic mortar mass in a bore (B) and cooperating with an injection tool (D) connectable with a delivery tube (E) or a delivery hose, with the auxiliary tool (1, 6, 12) including a filling member (2; 7; 13) having an axial through-bore (3; 9; 17) through which the mortar mass (M) is injected into the bore (B), and an outer diameter selected so that a back flow of the mortar mass (M) in a direction toward a bore mouth is prevented, and an element for pinning the filling member (2; 7; 13) on a free end of the delivery tube (E) or the delivery hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz Münger, Manfred Hartmann, Oliver Wolff
  • Patent number: 6481168
    Abstract: A utility panel system is provided for open office spaces, and the like. Each utility panel has a relatively thick, skeleton-like frame, with a foot and opposite sides shaped for interconnection with like panel frames to create a substantially freestanding utility panel system. Cover panels are detachably connected to the opposite faces of each panel frame to enclose the same, and provide ready access to the panel interior. Horizontal utility troughs extend continuously between the opposite sides of each panel frame in a vertically stacked relationship. The utility troughs have open ends located at the opposite panel sides, and are positioned such that when adjacent utility panels are interconnected in a side-by-side relationship, the utility troughs are aligned to form multiple raceways. Panel connectors are provided to connect the utility panels with one or more of a variety of existing partition panels, such that the utility panels act as a spine which supplies utilities to the existing partition panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Hodges, George V. Weller
  • Patent number: 6478037
    Abstract: A sunshade includes a supporting rod, a canopy support frame, and a canopy. An adjusting sleeve is slidably mounted around the supporting rod. A holding sleeve is pivotally connected to an upper end of the supporting rod. An arcuate tube is slidably extended through the holding sleeve. An elbow is mounted to a first end of the arcuate tube and a reel is mounted to a second end of the arcuate tube. A connecting rod is connected between the second end of the arcuate tube and the adjusting sleeve. An anchor is provided to be releasably engaged in an anchor room in the elbow to reliably retain the canopy support frame in a desired tilting angle relative to the supporting rod. The arcuate tube and the supporting rod can be folded to further reduce the overall volume of the sunshade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Pai Tung
  • Patent number: 6477816
    Abstract: A pit form comprising two substantially parallel side members having two ends and a substituting perpendicular rear member extending between proximate the same ends of the side members in use, each of the side members and the rear member having compatible male and female engaging portions to interconnect said members to form said pit form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Frommelt Industries of Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Di Biase
  • Patent number: 6474243
    Abstract: In an adjustable desktop for a personal computer, having a keyboard an a monitor, wherein the desk comprises a telescopic column supporting a top, the telescopic column having a static component and a mobile component, wherein an adjustment of different height levels of the desk's top is achieved by a relative movement of the mobile component with respect to the static component, the essentially the features that the monitor is supported by a platform connected to the desk's top, said platform being pivotable about an axle which is aligned parallel to the front edge of the desk's top, wherein an alteration of the pivoting angle of the platform with respect to the desk's top is achieved by way of a Bowden cable movable in response to an adjustment of height of the desk's top, have the effect that a pre-determined angle of inclination of the head of a user when looking on to a monitor screen is independent of a given adjustable height level of the desk's top and is therefore indepe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Grohse
  • Patent number: 6474732
    Abstract: The child's seat for airplanes comprises a mounting adapted to be fastened to a partition wall of an airplane, and a seat fastened to the mounting such that the seat can assume two different vertical positions. In an upper takeoff and landing position, the seat is located above the head strike arc of a person seated on an airplane seat, while in a lower communicating position, assumed during the flight, the seat is at chest level of the accompanying person. Thanks to the child's seat, the number of adult passengers normally occupying passenger seats of an airplane need not be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventor: Harald Merensky