Patents Examined by Carl D. Friedman
  • Patent number: 7264215
    Abstract: The inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for providing supplemental support for items used in manual tasks and may include one or more of the following features: a supplemental support apparatus, a supplemental support method, techniques for providing supplemental support in a compact manner, techniques for providing supplemental support in a variably-adjustable manner, techniques for correlating supplemental support to an overall workspace height, techniques for maintaining a parallel support surface through a variable-adjustment range, and techniques for retaining an item on a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Western Heat, LLC
    Inventor: Pete N. Niehoff
  • Patent number: 7264216
    Abstract: The present invention is a rigid or collapsible folding stand for a high fidelity amplifier or speaker. In general, the amplifier or speaker has a rear base edge placed on a two or more flexible straps. The amplifier or speaker is then tilted backward until it touches the amplifier or speaker stand at a single point. The rear surface of the amplifier or speaker, supporting legs and one or more lower flexible straps form a triangle that supports the amplifier or speaker. The stand holds the amplifier in an adjustably tilted position that is controlled by the length of the supporting legs and/or flexible straps used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: Jason O. Robling, Thomas S. Rotella
  • Patent number: 7263811
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide durable and substantially smooth surfaces comprised of a number of smaller pieces of surfacing material. For example, tiles of natural materials, such as marble or granite, are formed into larger unitary structures, wherein the surfaces of the tiles are substantially dead flat and the seams therebetween are diminished in size so as to minimize their visual impact. These unitary structures are preferably adapted to interconnection to thereby allow formation of substantially larger surfaces. Jig apparatus and methods for there use are disclosed for casting unitary structures of various shapes and configurations in such a manner that a dead flat surface with very little to zero lippage is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Clay E. Clemmer
  • Patent number: 7264214
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stock bar and T-bar coupling structure for mounting a sprinkler. In the present invention, a locking bracket is easily securely coupled to a T-bar using an elastic locking unit and a wing bolt. Furthermore, a stock bar made of standard rectangular pipe is coupled to the locking bracket by a first locking unit such that the stock bar crosses over the T-bar. Because this locking bracket is manufactured as a separate component from the stock bar, the present invention can be used without limiting the distance between the T-bars. Furthermore, the present invention has an advantage in that a standard rectangular pipe can be easily used as a stock bar merely by cutting the pipe to a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kofulso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-il Oh
  • Patent number: 7261268
    Abstract: A holder for a replaceable container of product includes a wall mountable support member having a longitudinal dimension. A holding sleeve extends transversely to the longitudinal dimension a first distance from a first region of the support member. The holding sleeve defines a bulbous recess. A foot extends transversely to the longitudinal dimension a second distance from a second region of the support member. The second distance is less than the first distance. The foot is spaced from the holding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, Allen D. Miller
  • Patent number: 7261264
    Abstract: A locking assembly for readily attaching and detaching a device to a surface such as a wall, non-planar surface, or a plurality of bars such as those found in a kennel. The locking assembly has a bracket assembly with a front and back plate that are fixedly attached to each other about portions of peripheries of the front and back plates defining an opening therebetween with a top slot and at least one side slot. The back plate is directly or indirectly fixedly attached to a surface. Positioned within at least one side slot is at least one pivoting release lever having an upper leg and lower leg movable about a pivot. The locking assembly further includes a yoke assembly having a yoke assembly plate of a size and shape to fit edgewise and be guided into the opening between the front and bottom plates via the top slot. The upper leg of the pivoting release lever and an exterior surface of the yoke assembly plate can be mateably restrained through a pair of interlocking notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Control Dynamics Inc.
    Inventor: Eric M. Moran
  • Patent number: 7261260
    Abstract: A golf bag bottom of the present invention includes a bottom base and a side frame. The bottom base has a transitional part; and the side frame is divided into two parts by the transitional part, and a notch is formed at a connection portion between the two parts of the side frame. The transitional part is formed on a ΒΌ position of the golf bag bottom along a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Fu-Hsing Tan
  • Patent number: 7260920
    Abstract: A mounting structure, for attachment to a building, for mounting articles such as satellite dishes, flags and other articles, comprises a unitary rectangular substantially flat panel having top and bottom flanges, side edges and an inner surface. Bosses are formed in each flanged spaced apart and adjacent side edges. A central embossed portion extends up from the flange at top and bottom. A central protrusion, and two side protrusions, extend inwardly from the inner surface of the panel, in lateral alignment. An inclined portion extends inwardly from the inner surface of the panel at each side and bending into the side ends of the upper flange. Flange portions extend between the central embossed portion and the bosses and between the bosses and the side edges at the top and bottom flanges. In position, the flange portions, central protrusions and the side protrusions contact the siding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Weir
  • Patent number: 7261262
    Abstract: A bucket brace holds a bucket in place while the bucket's contents are mixed or stirred. The bucket brace prevents the bucket from spinning due to the mixing. The bucket brace is an assembly made up of four parts: a base, a foot pressure portion, a front support, and a rear support. A handle is provided for carrying the base. The front and rear supports are of semi-circular shape, and are made of rigid or semi-rigid material, as are the base and the foot pressure portion. The foot pressure portion and the base are integral, preferably both parts being formed from the same piece of material. The foot pressure portion and the rear support preferably have surface grip portions. The handle may be made of any suitable material, preferably the same rigid or semi-rigid material as the other parts of the bucket brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: DPS, LLC
    Inventor: Jessie L. Dunson
  • Patent number: 7257933
    Abstract: In a water diversion system, in a preferred embodiment, a first fold of a deflector is disposed into a first hanger cavity and a second deflector fold is disposed into a second hanger cavity. The first fold of the deflector cooperates with the first cavity of the hanger to allow a resistance hinge-like action of the deflector. The deflector may be lifted open by compression of a curve of the deflector to remove the second fold of the deflector from the second hanger cavity. Methods are provided in which, in a preferred embodiment, a deflector-forming machine is disposed above a trough-forming machine and the deflector-forming machine is moveable forward and backward relative to the trough-forming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Senox Corporation
    Inventor: Arnold Bruce Walters
  • Patent number: 7257927
    Abstract: Frames are disclosed for mounting windows within the walls of enclosures for isolating or sealing substances such as radioactive or other hazardous substances from the surrounding environment. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a two-piece frame that is welded into the wall of an enclosure. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a three-piece frame that is clamped to the wall of an enclosure. The frame assemblies may also be used to mount structures other than windows to enclosure walls, such as ducts or pipes intended for passing power, gas, vacuum, or other utilities into the interior of an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Premier Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Sayer
  • Patent number: 7258316
    Abstract: An expansible anchor is adapted for inserting into a hole formed with a structure. The anchor includes a load cable and a first chock attached to an end of the load cable. A second chock resides adjacent to the first chock, and is adapted for movement between an anchor-contracting position and an anchor-expanding position. In the anchor-contracting position, the anchor is readily inserted into and removed from the hole of the structure. In the anchor-expanding position, the anchor is locked inside the hole of the structure. A chock-release column bears against at least one of the first and second chocks and has an enlarged head adapted for locating outside of the hole. The enlarged head defines a striking surface adapted for receiving a sudden force. This force is transferred through the chock-release column to the first or second chocks, such that the second chock is movable from the anchor-expanding position to the anchor-contracting position to thereby dislodge the anchor from the hole of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Eric W. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7257930
    Abstract: Exemplary methods and assemblies for preventing corrosion of metal connector devices, e.g., zinc-galvanized joist hangers and fasteners, used for assembling outdoor structures such as decks from wood components pretreated with alkaline copper quat (ACQ), ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ-B), copper azole (CA), or mixtures thereof. Membrane barriers separate metal from wood, and seal around fasteners thus minimizing corrosion of the connector devices and fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Antonio J. Aldykiewicz, Jr., Gerald L. Blay, Gregory N. Ciampa, Ann M. Jansen, Edwin C. Schaughency, Lawrence S. Shapiro, Albina N. Velikin, Walter W. Wydra
  • Patent number: 7258313
    Abstract: A device for leveling an object on uneven or sloping floors. The device is comprised of a housing with a substantially hollow portion having a worm gear, a driven gear, and an elevation shaft with threads on at least a portion of the shaft's external surface. The worm gear operably engages the driven gear, which in turn operably engages the elevation shaft. When the worm gear is rotated in opposite directions, concomitant rotations of the driven gear cause the elevation shaft to move axially up or down, thereby providing leveling motions to an object to which the device is attached. A pad may be attached to one end of the elevation to prevent scratching the surface on which the object rests. The hollow portion of the housing is configured to provide at least one load-bearing surface such that no separate bearings are required with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Gabriel
  • Patent number: 7258318
    Abstract: A rotary-releasing device for a power supply having two rotary arms arranged on one side thereof, and each rotary arm being coupled with the power supply by an axle end. The rotary-releasing device having: a latch bracket section, and a handle section. The latch bracket section is a suspending arm with a pressing surface, and a fixed end is coupled to a free end selected from one of the two rotary arms. The handle section has: a rotary axle body extending to a predefined height along a direction; a lifting handle extending from the rotary axle body, capable of receiving a force to enable handle section to perform a rotating movement using said direction as an axis; and a pressing arm extending from said rotary axle body to a predefined distance and connected to the lifting handle at a predefined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Lin-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7255312
    Abstract: A support post and safety fence assembly in which the post has a telescoping inner and outer tube and is supported on a threaded internal shaft coupled to a floor engaging end and ceiling engaging end preferably formed with claws that have a number of sharp penetrating points for firm engagement with a support surface. In one embodiment, a gravity lock assembly is provided for fixing the relative position of the inner and outer tubes. Dynamic adjustability of the support post is provided by internal compression springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Jonny J Melic
  • Patent number: 7254926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for attaching a deck to a building. The apparatus and method disclose a deck bracket with an L shaped bracket, a solid bar, preferably threaded at both ends, and a sheath which would surround a support member of the building. The solid bar could be of various lengths, depending upon the structure to which it will be attached. The L shaped bracket has a support piece fixedly attached to the back side of its long, vertical side, and has a threaded bore through the support piece and L shaped bracket, with which to accept one of the threaded ends of the solid bar. The short, horizontal side of the L shaped bracket would hold one or more of the deck rim joists or deck supporting beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Barry Eldeen
  • Patent number: 7254928
    Abstract: There are several advantages to installing roof insulation in industrial and commercial buildings from above, rather than from below after the roof is sealed. A reinforced facing sheet is used that can be rolled out between the purlins that support the steel roofing. This reinforced facing material is located at the bottom of an insulation system and is used to support the insulation from below. The reinforced facing sheet must be anchored to reduce pillowing of the insulation and provide a neat appearance to the insulation job. The anchoring system for the reinforced facing material is made up of a metal angle that is firmly affixed to the top of a rafter between purlins. The reinforced facing material is, thus, sandwiched between the angle and the rafter top, and securely anchored, there. A channel-shaped lower support member, usually vinyl, is located beneath the reinforced facing material and the angle is pressed, from above, into the open part of the channel shape as it is situated on top if the rafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Robert E. Fligg
  • Patent number: 7255313
    Abstract: A bracket assembly to suspend objects, having a bracket and a suspending tab assembly for organizing objects in a suspended manner. The bracket comprises a rear and front wall joined at a top edge and a bottom edge. An interior seam defines the interior area where the rear wall and the front wall join. The front wall comprises at least one aperture having a longitudinal channel defined by edges. The suspending tab assembly comprises a generally elongated torso having a first tab at its distal end. The first tab is shaped to snugly fit within the at least one aperture. Opposite the first tab, the torso has a second tab. The second tab has adhesive means. A peel-off sticker initially covers the second tab to prevent unwanted matter from sticking to the adhesive means. The rear face of the rear wall also has adhesive means and also has a peel-off sticker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Terry Lane
  • Patent number: 7252273
    Abstract: The invention discloses unique brackets, which form a bracket assembly that may be placed at any location of various components to form an assembly piece, such as furniture. An assembled furniture piece made of furniture panels interconnected with attached engaging and receiving brackets is provided. The engaging and receiving brackets are positioned on components to facilitate the connection of the components. A method to assemble furniture having preformed arm, base, seat and back components is provided. This method of assembly saves on shipment costs, and facilitates the repair of damaged furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Chris Lewellen, Larry Owens, James D. Hobbs