Patents Examined by Carmine Cuda
  • Patent number: 5274879
    Abstract: A two-wheel furniture caster has a body, a shaft projecting horizontally through the body along a shaft axis and having opposite ends projecting axially oppositely from the body, respective wheels rotatable on the ends of the shaft and having outer tread parts axially delimiting a space wholly containing the body and an upright pivot pin having a lower end projecting into the body offset from the shaft axis along a pivot axis. Bearings generally level with and closely juxtaposed with the shaft axis in the body supporting the pivot pin in the body for rotation therein about the pivot axis. A shield ring generally centered on the shaft axis wholly surrounds the body radially relative to the shaft axis, has axially opposite end edges closely juxtaposed with the respective wheels, and is formed with a hole traversed by the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Berthold Haussels
  • Patent number: 5272789
    Abstract: A spring biased hinge for refrigerator doors and the like includes a stationary mounting bracket, a bent-wire spring mounted between the door and bracket, and a pivot pin for pivotally mounting the door to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is reversible so that it can be used on either side of the door, and includes a slot for receiving an end of the spring, the slot and spring being located so that as the door is opened, the door travels through a first arcuate segment where the spring is compressed and oriented to bias the door closed, through a second arcuate segment where the spring is compressed and oriented to bias the door open, and a third arcuate segment where the spring is not compressed but rather slides in the slot allowing the door to swing freely open until an end of the slot is engaged to limit the maximum door open movement. The hinge is characterized by its low profile and low number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Quest Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry L. Mitchell, Todd A. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5272788
    Abstract: An interchangeable handle and utility tool head system where different tool heads are used with the handle. The different tool heads have similar shanks with a screw threaded end. The handle has a female coupling on one end to receive the screw threaded shank. A positive securing device prevents rotation of the tool head relative to the handle where a keyway and key system prevents the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Cecil G. Gilstrap
  • Patent number: 5271124
    Abstract: The invention provides a hinge suitable for use in a roof window assembly having a frame and a movable sash, connected to each other by a pair of hinges according to the invention. Each hinge includes a first hinge element connectable to the frame and a second hinge element connectable to the sash. A pair of linkages, each pivotally connected to both hinge elements is so arranged as to allow rotational movement of the sash through angles exceeding 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventor: Anthony C. Sandell
  • Patent number: 5269048
    Abstract: A hinge assembly capable of moving a panel or door between a flush, closed position and an outwardly opened position with at least 180 degrees of possible rotation of the panel. A housing is attached to the body at the edge of the door opening and locates a jack screw which drives a carriage in and out. On the carriage are located two idler shafts carrying fixed sprockets around which are wrapped a roller chain loop. The outer idler shaft is fixed to the panel and defines the hinge axis for the panel. One portion of the chain loop is fixed relative to the body such that, as the jack screw drives the hinge axis outwardly, the chain loop rotates the sprocket fixed to the outer idler shaft and the attached panel to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Ladislao Pazmany
  • Patent number: 5269043
    Abstract: The invention is a pneumatic hinge which makes use of the air pressure action and counter balance to produce a spring-free hinge structuring to improve the ability to interrupt an opening or closing door at one's disposal of the traditional spring hinge, to eliminate its disadvantage as well as to produce more practical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Ming-Hua Yang
  • Patent number: 5265307
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ergonomic handle which may be attached to any suitable object such as a briefcase, luggage, instrument cases, etc., which may then be adjustable through its vertical and horizontal axis and moved forward or backward on its mounting base to locate the most optimum balance point and the best ergonomic relationship between the fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventors: Harold L. Hull, Judith Aston
  • Patent number: 5265309
    Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a pair of continuous extruded channel members, one of which has an axially aligned tubular portion and the other an axially aligned keyway. The members are united by hinge clips having a leg insertable in the keyway and a gudgeon plate having an opening depending from the leg, and a hinge pin which passes through the gudgeon plate opening and the tubular portion. The keyway may be hidden within the other member, which may be transversely slotted to provide an access opening for the leg where this is to be supported intermediate the axial ends of the member. Similarly the tubular member may be transversely slotted to provide an access opening for the gudgeon plate. The other member may include one or more axially aligned extensions which form a labyrinth seal with the one member, making the hinge assembly particularly suited for use in shower doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Waterline Products Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Fred J. Oille
  • Patent number: 5265308
    Abstract: A jamb liner for a double hung window wherein a length of the jamb liner is mounted to and overlies each of the jamb sides defining the window opening. Each jamb liner has a front profile corresponding to the side of the associated sash to slidably retain and guide the sash. The jamb liner is extruded from a plastic material that is at least semi-rigid. Coextruded on the rear face of the jamb liner is are a pair of longitudinal spring hinge members each having a first portion contiguous with the jamb liner formed from a resilient material having a spring characteristic, and a second portion extending from the first portion formed from a plastic material that is at least semi-rigid. In mounting the window assembly into the jamb opening, the spring hinge members bendably and springably engage the associated jamb sides to generate a uniform biasing force on the sides of the sashes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Intek Weatherseal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. May, Gregory S. Mitsch, Nidelkoff J. Michael, Les L. Pallin
  • Patent number: 5265306
    Abstract: An automatic door closing device comprises a base and an oil guiding loop. The base is provided in the direction of a longitudinal axis thereof with a canal and is further provided in the direction of a short axis thereof with a through hole. A sliding block and a spring are received slidably in an outer end portion of the canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: King-Sung Yu
  • Patent number: 5263227
    Abstract: A door hinge assembly pivotably mounts a vehicle door member to a body structure member. The assembly includes a first hinge strap mounted to one of the members and having a vertical opening. A second hinge strap is mounted to the other member and has a spherical concave surface. A hinge pin is interposed between the hinge straps. The hinge pin has a portion received by the vertical opening of the first hinge strap. The hinge pin has a spherical convex surface for engaging the concave surface of the second hinge strap allowing variance in relative orientation of the hinge pin to the second hinge strap. The hinge pin is rotatably retained to one of the hinge straps allowing pivotable movement between the members. A removable retention bolt is carried between the hinge pin and the other hinge strap for retaining the hinge pin to the other hinge strap. The retention bolt allows removable retention of the door member to the body structure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hrbek, George E. Marks
  • Patent number: 5259089
    Abstract: A handle which includes a ribbon like metal strip, which has a center portion and at each end has a flat end plate. A covering is provided around the strip, which has integral end blocks to engage the strip end plates. The end plates have openings with grommets therein which extend above the end plates. A retainer pin extends through each end plate and into contact with a part of the vehicle or item, the pins nesting in recesses in the end blocks of the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: PHC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph J. Baur, Albert V. Cawthon
  • Patent number: 5259088
    Abstract: An improved chair caster comprises a main body, an upright tube, an elastic element, and a sustaining element. The chair remains stationary when no one sits on the chair, so as to enhance the safety of an office worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Su-Hua Yang
  • Patent number: 5253389
    Abstract: A foldable caster, particularly suited for use with a swimming pool reel support, is foldable approximately 270.degree. between an operative position and a stowed position and is magnetically or otherwise secured in at least the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Odyssey Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: George M. Colin
  • Patent number: 5245727
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge for pivotally connecting a door member to a receptacle member is disclosed. The hinge comprises a first structure having a pivotal male member; a second structure secured to the receptacle member, the second structure and the first structure being detachably connectable; and a third structure secured to the door member and having a female member with which the male member is latchedly engageable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Ohta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshito Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5243737
    Abstract: There is described an improved hinge including first and second spaced apart tangs, an aperture formed through each of the two tangs to be in axial alignment with one another, and a third tang disposed between the first and second tangs. A resilient grommet is supported by and extends axially through the third tang, spacing it from the first and second tangs. The grommet has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough for axial alignment with the apertures formed through each of the first and second tangs. A hinge pin is inserted through the aperture in the first and second tangs and the cylindrical aperture through the grommet, thereby interconnecting the first, second and third tangs in hinged relationship about the hinge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Innovation & Development Partners Inc./IDP Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Dainat
  • Patent number: 5239730
    Abstract: Described is a hinge with a rotary cup and a press-fit cup at the end of the hinge-joint, in which for assembly the rotary cup is inserted into the press-fit cup on the door side and for fastening is twisted in a bayonet-like manner. In order to prevent damage by parts projecting at the top, the press-fit cup is provided with lateral walls of reduced height in such a way that the press-fit cup is completely countersunk in the cup drilling on the door side and that from the bottom of the press-fit cup rise up bent portions which, through turning, are engaged by lugs of the rotary cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Grass AG
    Inventor: Alfred Grass
  • Patent number: 5237724
    Abstract: A hinge pin swing stop which is coupled to the hinge pin of a door hinge or other hinged object and acts to limit the rotating swing of that object about the hinge. The swing stop can include a section which acts as the replacement hinge pin, a first extension which bears upon the solidly backed structure of a door or other object, and an angular extension which is brought into interfering contact with a structurally solid support to which the hinged object is attached. The point at which swing stopping interferences are encountered is selectedly adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Byron Lee
  • Patent number: 5237722
    Abstract: A device for use in hand pulling of rope wherein the rope includes a fixed enlarged section such as a knot. The device has an elongated, graspable, rod-like body which has a transverse slot located at the approximate longitudinal mid-point of the body. The rope is to be slipped into the slot with the knot abutting against the inside surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: David L. Ott
  • Patent number: RE34433
    Abstract: A wheeled carriage has a chassis with a plurality of swivel casters, and a locking assembly actuated by a foot pedal located along the front of the carriage. Pushing down on the foot pedal rotates a cam that engages a cam follower on a "T" bar frame supporting two locking rings which respectively overlie two of the caster wheels to move the rings into a locking position in engagement with the wheels to lock the wheels and the casters in any position. The cam follower surface includes a ramp portion engageable by the cam for driving the rings to their locking position and a horizontal latch portion engageable by the cam in its "overcenter" position for holding the rings in their locking position. A lifter bar is engageable by the user's foot to rotate the cam back off the follower and permit the rings to resiliently return to their release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Heiligenthal, George R. Slivon, Jack A. Parise