Patents Examined by Blair Johnson
  • Patent number: 5609434
    Abstract: A rigid assembly of at least two intersecting constituent members which form between them at least one engagement canal made of two opposite holes in two brackets of one constituent member, each with an inwardly converging wall, and a registering transversal bore with divergent end portions in the other constituent member. A tightening device is accommodated within each engagement canal which comprises a first cylindrical member with a centrally bored frusto-conical head portion, a second cylindrical member slidably accommodated therein and having a screw-threaded central bore and a frusto-conical head portion, and a tightening screw connecting both cylindrical members, each of said frusto-conical head portions being of smaller size than the associated bracket hole and having a slant matching that of the side wall of the latter. When the tightening screw is tightened, the first and second cylindrical members of the tightening device are drawn together and the constituent members are fastened to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Defence, The Rafael Armament Development Authority
    Inventors: Oded Yehezkieli, Israel Kehaty
  • Patent number: 5607102
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant cash box combination including a cash box support structure defining a storage cavity accessible through a front opening, a closed cash box sized to fit snugly into the structure containing a front panel for fitting flush with the structure front opening, the front panel forming a first slot therethrough for passing currency and the like into the box, a bolt inside the cash box in slidable engagement with the front panel, the bolt defined by a top end and a bottom end, and a lock on the cash box front panel for moving the bolt upward to cover the first slot and downward through a second slot formed in the bottom of the cash box into a third slot formed in the bottom of the structure to lock the cash box in the structure where actuation of the lock in one direction locks the cash box in the structure and simultaneously opens the currency-passing first slot for access to the interior of the cash box and actuation of the lock in the other direction unlocks the cash box from the structure for r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventors: Michael J. Walsh, Gerald R. Gerent
  • Patent number: 5603370
    Abstract: A versatile and user friendly display system. First and second sets of panel frames and a plurality of header frames are interchangeably connected so that the header frames are optionally above, between, or below the first and second sets of panel frames. The frame segments are connected by key members to allow relatively easy field repair and the adding or subtracting of additional frames. A hinge for hingedly connecting a pair of frames comprises at least one pair of straps composed of a flexible material. One strap is attached to the front edge of an elongate segment of one frame and the rear edge of an elongate segment of the other frame. The other strap is attached to the rear edge of the elongate segment of the one frame and the front edge of the elongate segment of the other frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Edmond J. Boer
  • Patent number: 5603369
    Abstract: A window covering is described wherein at least one translucent or transparent sheet is suspended vertically and has a plurality of parallel vertically extending vanes projecting rearwardly therefrom. The vanes are formed from fabric material which has either been rigidified with a rigidifying compound or rigidified by the formation of a pocket into which a rigid slat is inserted. Variations are provided for varying the flexibility of a hinge defined along a juncture line between the vanes and the fabric sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Richard N. Anderson, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • Patent number: 5603368
    Abstract: An improved expandable and contractible window covering comprising a series of elongated cells is disclosed. Each cell is formed by joining a pleated sheet of material with an unpleated sheet in an area of creases on the pleated sheet. The rear wall of the cell is of less height than the front wall of the cell and the material of the cell is chosen to be relatively soft and flexible so that the front wall of each cell droops downwardly and outwardly away from the rear wall. The covering is mountable on a roll bar so as to be retracted by rolling about the roll bar and extended by unrolling from the roll bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Raymond N. Auger
  • Patent number: 5603580
    Abstract: A positive fastener-angling device for positioning an elongated fastener with respect to the face of a sheet metal connector and a wood member only at a preselected angle which is substantially less than 90.degree. by forming a slit-cut in the sheet metal connector by means of a die which progressively at the same station, forms a fastener guideway in the shape of a half cone. The fastener opening and the guideway are dimensioned so that the fastener can only penetrate the sheet metal connector at a preselected angle set at the factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5601130
    Abstract: A shutter blade comprising a center portion having a receiving and a hooking end. The receiving end has a first opening which connects with a hooking end of another shutter blade. The first opening surface fits into and conforms with the first opening and there is continuous contact therebetween when the hooking end of the other shutter blade and the first opening surface are in a folded state. Alternatively, whether the first opening surface is of opposite shape as the hooking end surface or not, the receiving end can have a second opening separated from the first opening by a common wall. The shutter blade contacts a track mechanism through the second opening. Such shutter blades can be used in a shutter blade assembly in which a plurality of shutter blades are foldably connected in series and movably connected to the track mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventors: Robert I. Werner, Gennady Z. Plavnik, Eric C. Horne, Fred L. Murrin
  • Patent number: 5598743
    Abstract: An end fitting for a cable assembly including a conduit and a core wire slidably positioned within the conduit. The fitting includes a housing, an elongated guide member, and a locking clip. The housing includes a rear wall having an aperture, a forward wall having an rear wall aperture axially aligned with the aperture, a lock window positioned between the rear and forward walls, and a forward window spaced forwardly from the lock window. The guide member is secured at its rear end to the core wire and is slidably received at its forward end in the housing apertures. The guide member includes a plurality of axially spaced serrations and a head portion at its forward end which is radially compressible to allow the guide member to be passed through the apertures in the walls whereafter the head member expands to preclude withdrawal of the guide member from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Hi-Lex Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 5598883
    Abstract: My invention realtes to an automobile shading device which includes a pair of extendable channels pivotally joined at their respective inner ends to a 45 degree center portion. As a result, the channels can open and close in a horizontal fashion.The device can be removably attached to a window by suction cup located on the outside of the center portion and by velcro between the channels and the dashboard. Each channel includes an arm and a plurality of pleats. Each arm is pivotally joined to the channel at its inner end, and it opens and closes in a perpendicularly circular fashion, thus, when open unfolding the pleats in an angular shape covering the entire window. The top and bottom pleats are attached to the arm and the channel respectively by two-sided tape.When the pleats are unfolded the angular shape is obtained by a uniformally asymmetrical cutting method in a zig-zag fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Kostas I. Platsis
  • Patent number: 5597025
    Abstract: A sectioned window cornice may be adapted to various widths of windows and drapery support rods thereon. The cornice may be easily assembled from several identical, repeating panels with symmetrical attachment ends to provide for universal assembly of the panels to form a cornice of the desired length. The cornice may include a decorative bas relief or other pattern thereon, which pattern preferably repeats with each panel and is adapted to match exactly with the pattern of an adjoining panel, to avoid any unsightly perceived mismatch of shapes and patterns on the assembled cornice. The assembled modular sections are secured to the front surface of a drapery support rod or the like by hook and loop fastening material, thereby providing for assembly and installation without need of any tools and enabling the cornice to be assembled and installed by unskilled labor in a minimum amount of time and effort, and enabling an installed cornice to be removed and replaced easily, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Sharon A. Forkner
  • Patent number: 5595362
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting an electrical box on a wall stud including a sheet metal plate having front and rear faces and a large central opening therein. A pair of screw opening formations is provided in the plate generally adjacent diagonally opposite corners of the central opening in the plate. Each formation includes a relatively narrow screw shank clearance slot which receives the shank of a respective box mounting screw. The plate is so configured that an electrical box may be moved to a first position in which the front of the box is closely adjacent the rear face of the plate, and then to a second position in which the shanks of the mounting screws are received in the screw shank clearance slots of respective screw opening formations and in which the front opening of the box is generally in register with the central opening in the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: B-Line Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Rinderer, Martin L. Witherbee
  • Patent number: 5595231
    Abstract: A flexible, storable suspended shutter having the general appearance of a rigid shutter door frame having a head rail, shutter blade suspensions and raise cords, shutter blades assemblies having two ends, substantially coextensive with the ends of the head rail, two sets of blade suspensions, each having upright portions with inner and outer edges, and the upper ends secured to the head rail, and with the outer edges coextensive with the ends of the head rail to simulate a door frame, each shutter blade assembly being supported by respective suspensions, in parallel spaced apart generally horizontal relation, and end openings in the shutter blade assemblies, with the raise cords extending through the openings. Also disclosed is a shutter blade assembly having a blade member, openings at opposite ends of the blade assembly for receiving the raise cords, and suspension engagement members on the blade members, for engagement by portions of the suspension means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Norbert Marocco
  • Patent number: 5595233
    Abstract: The hurricane shutters are formed from double-skinned panels that are strengthened by including a rod extending through the end channels. The panels are mounted side by side to cover the expanse of the window or door being protected. In another embodiment a cable is attached to the ends of the rod and tightened to bow the rod and panels. The ends of the panels on the extremity are left unbowed if air flow through the space between the window and panels is not desired. In other embodiments the ends of the panel are constructed to form a hinge to receive the rod which then acts as a hinge and the structural enhancement member and may extend beyond the end of the panel and serve as an attachment in a retracting and deployment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Teddy A. Gower
  • Patent number: 5593049
    Abstract: A support structure of the kind used in supermarkets and other self-service shops comprises a series of slotted upright members 12 and brackets 16 which are connected to the upright members by having teeth which enter into the slots. Conductor tracks 36 extend along passages 32 in the upright members, and electrical contact with conductors carried by the conductor tracks is established by means of electrical connectors 48 having tongues 50 which enter into the passages through slots which are unoccupied by teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Howden W. Farham
  • Patent number: 5593143
    Abstract: A universal post connector is disclosed for interconnecting fence posts and braces either of which may be a pipe post or tee post at any horizontal or vertical angle and at any position along the length of each. The universal connector is also adaptable to tee posts and pipe posts of all standard cross-sectional sizes. The preferred embodiment includes a pair of sleeves and a pair of collars to interconnect two tee posts. At least one sleeve is slipped onto each tee post and fastened thereto at any position along the length of the tee post using a fastening device. A collar encircles each sleeve and is clamped at any position along the length of the sleeve. A coupler pivotally interconnects the collars and locks the collars at variable angles with respect to each other. In the case where a pipe post is used in place of a tee post, the collar can be directly clamped to the pipe post without using a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: James A. Ferrarin
  • Patent number: 5591106
    Abstract: A support system for use in adjusting the incline of exercising equipment such as treadmills is disclosed. The system includes a pair of linked support legs pivotally mounted to one end of the equipment's frame. A length-adjustable gas spring is pivotedly associated with the linked support legs and the treadmill. Control means are provided to adjust the orientation of the spring, thereby controlling the elevation of the exercising equipment and hence its incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Dalebout, S. Ty Measom, Scott R. Watterson
  • Patent number: 5590973
    Abstract: A connector for detachably connecting a first body and a second body together. The connector includes an insert which is attached to the first body. The insert has a first edge which features an outwardly inclining portion and further features an opposing edge which includes a protrusion. The connector further includes a base member attached to the second body. The base member includes a rotatable shaft which is adjacent the first edge of the insert when the insert is seated in the base member. The base member further includes an overhang which is adjacent to the opposing edge of the insert when the insert is seated in the base member and is directed toward the shaft. The shaft of the base member is shaped so as to alternately secure the insert by confining the inclined edge and the protrusion of the opposing edge of the insert member and release the insert, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: State of Israel Rafael-Armament Development Authority
    Inventor: Yehuda Don-Yehiya
  • Patent number: 5588773
    Abstract: Device for connecting a machine element to a structural member, which is movable about a longitudinal axis thereof, so that the machine element and the structural member are secured against relative rotation, includes a tension band firmly connected to a machine element and embracing more than 180.degree. of a circumference of the structural member, and a thrust piece having an inner side matching the circumference of the structural member, the thrust piece extending across a part of the circumference of the structural member other than a part thereof embraced by the tension band, and at least one clamping device to which the tension band is fixed for radially clamping the thrust piece against the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jens Friedrichs, Karl-Heinz Helmstadter
  • Patent number: 5588475
    Abstract: A water diversion channel for the joint between door sections of a sectional door. The water diversion channel is formed in the leading face of the tongue portion of the tongue and groove of the joint. The leading face of the tongue is formed with a slight undercut so as to provide the water diversion channel with a triangular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Door Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: David O. Martin
  • Patent number: 5586833
    Abstract: Articulated fitting for seats having an adjustable backrest, in particular motor vehicle seats. The articulated fitting arranged on each longitudinal side of a seat has a stationary articulated part associated with the seat part and a swivelable articulated part associated with the backrest, these articulated parts being connected with one another via a swivel axle. The position of the two articulated parts relative to one another is determined by an adjusting and fixing device constructed as a gear unit. The swivel axle has an eccentric portion for supporting one articulated part and the swivel axle of each articulated fitting has a central receptacle serving to connect with a transmission rod so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative thereto, which transmission rod couples the two articulated fittings of a seat with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gregor Vossmann, Dirk Angermann