Patents Examined by Christopher E Garft
  • Patent number: 9566883
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trapezoidal component comprising a base element and two legs, which are each connected to the base element in a transition region. The invention further relates to a linear guide and to a head restraint having such a linear guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Gottwald, Thomas Dillinger, Robby Potisch
  • Patent number: 9568123
    Abstract: Improvements in a box and conduit hanger support that creates a unitary support bracket that allows for central mounting of an electrical junction box to said support bracket for suspended installations. Holes and slots located in extended portion of support bracket allowing for support of conduits connected to junction box using conduit clamps. In addition, bent tabs on perimeter of support bracket provide openings for a threaded rod to pass through, thus allowing for installation of support bracket in perpendicular alignment with ceiling. The features of this plate facilitate installation and maintenance of a hanging junction box, notably for applications with inadequate spacing between ceiling and floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Kai Zhang, Saeed Nikayin, Gilbert Loera, Andrew Choi
  • Patent number: 9565781
    Abstract: A holding apparatus includes a holding member that holds an electronic apparatus, a supporting member that is connected to the holding member and supports the holding member, and a first pushing member and a second pushing member which are disposed between the holding member and the supporting member. When the first pushing member is handled by the user, the first pushing member pushes the second pushing member in the first direction toward the holding member, and pushes the holding member in the second direction toward the supporting member and opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Mangement Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Asano
  • Patent number: 9562645
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a suspension bracket for a display device, relating to the technical field of a bracket structure. In at least some embodiments, the suspension bracket disclosed is made to solve the problem that the display device has a smaller visual range by being fixed in a fixing manner in the prior art. The suspension bracket comprises a suspension member and a mounting bracket rotatably fixed on the suspension member. The suspension bracket of the present disclosure is configured to hang a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiumin Wu, Jing Li
  • Patent number: 9556975
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a wire includes a first portion extending along a first axis. The first portion includes a body portion and an alignment portion. The alignment portion defines a first alignment opening through which the alignment portion receives a fastener. The first alignment opening extends between a first side and a second side. The first side has a first surface portion and a second surface portion. The first surface portion is separated a first distance from the first axis. The second surface portion is separated a second distance from the first axis. The first distance is different than the second distance. The structure includes a second portion defining a second alignment opening through which the second portion receives the fastener. The second portion is spaced a distance from the body portion to define a wire opening into which the wire is received for support by the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Preformed Line Products
    Inventors: Mark Burns, Lan-Ping Ling, David C. Sunkle
  • Patent number: 9551451
    Abstract: A skid structure for a powertrain includes a pair of longitudinally extending members disposed about a central axis and in a mutually spaced apart relationship with one another. Each of the members includes a top wall; a bottom wall disposed in a spaced apart relation with the top wall; and a side wall connected at corresponding edges of the top and bottom walls to define a pocket therebetween. The pocket is configured to extend longitudinally along a length of the member and laterally along a width of the top and bottom walls. The skid structure further includes multiple gussets that are disposed within the pocket and interspaced from one another along the length of the member. Each gusset is configured to connect with at least two of the top wall, the bottom wall, and the side wall. The gussets are configured to support a weight of the powertrain thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jess Daniel Wilson, James Leonard Blase, Grace Louise Madden, Michael Colarossi
  • Patent number: 9551437
    Abstract: A spacer clamp assembly includes a clamping body with a recess for receiving a cable and a bolt hole defining a passage. A resilient member on the clamping body has a bolt hole receiving a clamping bolt. The bolt is resiliently biased in the bolt hole of the resilient member to a clamping position. A keeper has a first end coupled to the first end of the clamping body and a second end with an open slot configured for mating with the clamping bolt in the clamping position. The keeper has a contact surface to contact the clamping bolt during closing of the keeper for guiding the bolt along the contact surface into the slot. The resilient member enables the clamping bolt to move when contacting the contact surface and bias the bolt into the slot to the clamping position in the closed clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert V. Defrance
  • Patent number: 9551183
    Abstract: A house clamp assembly having a fixed jaw and a slide bar mounted movable jaw, the fixed jaw opposing the movable jaw. A one-way drive means, by operation of a trigger handle grip, releasably engages the slide bar and advances the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw. The one-way drive means is incapable of moving the slide bar and movable jaw away from the fixed jaw. A return motion of the movable jaw (separating) is accomplished manually when the one-way drive means is disengaged. A braking lever, which is biased to bind the slide bar, prevents reverse motion of the slideable jaw away from the fixed jaw, except when the first lever is disengaged from the slide bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: David Michael Rudd
  • Patent number: 9546745
    Abstract: A roller assembly comprises a base; a pedestal movably positioned on the base; and a roller fixably positioned relative to the pedestal and movable axially relative to the base. A method of assembling a roller assembly comprises mounting a pedestal on a base of the roller assembly such that the pedestal is movable relative to the base; and fixably positioning a roller relative to the pedestal such that the roller is movable axially relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Carlos Costa
  • Patent number: 9541956
    Abstract: A supporting structure and a docking station using the same are provided. The supporting structure includes an elastic member, a sliding member, a lifting element and a damper. The sliding member having an inclined plane is connected to the elastic member. When the elastic member receives a force, the elastic member forces the sliding member to move along an axis line with the inclined plane facing to the lifting element. The lifting element is arranged over a travel path of the inclined plane and has an abutting portion. When the lifting element receives another force so that the abutting portion abuts against the inclined plane, the sliding member stops moving and the height position of the lifting element is fixed. The damper is mated with the sliding member to slow down the velocity of the sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD., UNIVERSAL GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Jen Chen, Kuo-Kuang Liu, Yu-Chen Chu, Chang-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9526357
    Abstract: A universal store frame bracket profile is provided for coupling to one of multiple different store frame openings. Embodiments of the bracket include a bracket body with a platform support surface, a first tooth feature, and a second tooth feature. The first and second tooth features extend in a first direction from an edge of the bracket body. In embodiments, the first tooth feature includes an upper and lower portion, while the second tooth feature includes a lower portion. A cavity formed between the first tooth feature and the bracket body, and the second tooth feature and the bracket body, provides a coupling mechanism for mating the universal bracket to one of multiple store frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Howard, Brian Lee Wegstein
  • Patent number: 9523407
    Abstract: An anti-vibration unit, which enables a reduction in man-hours to be achieved during manufacturing and a reduction in the number of parts, is provided. A boss member of an anti-vibration device is pressed into a press-fitting section of a second bracket so as to be firmly fixed. The omission of the bolt enables a corresponding reduction in the number of parts. Moreover, by omitting the bolt in this way, there is no need to form a female threaded section on the boss member of the anti-vibration device, thus enabling a corresponding reduction in man-hours during manufacturing. In addition, when chemically treating the boss member of the anti-vibration device, it is unnecessary to implement a step for protecting the female threaded section with a masking bolt, thus eliminating the need to attach and detach the masking bolt, which in turn enables a corresponding reduction in man-hours during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Oniwa, Tomoyoshi Edo, Kenichi Koshikawa, Hironori Kato
  • Patent number: 9526193
    Abstract: The invention particularly relates to a computer device (700) for a computer housing center that is transportable in a container. The computer device includes at least one computer cabinet. Said computer device is sized and arranged so as to be movable inside a container into which said computer device is to be placed, and which comprises an absorber system that is suitable, with regard to said computer device, for absorbing the transmission of vibrations to the at least one computer cabinet once the computer device is installed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BULL SAS
    Inventors: Fabien Demange, Nicolas Depret
  • Patent number: 9512954
    Abstract: Embodiments for a base and an assembly of a device and the base are provided. The assembly includes a device having at least one device alignment magnet along a surface of the device, and a base having, along an upper surface of the base, at least one base alignment magnet configured to act on the at least one device alignment magnet to align the device on top of the base, and at least one insert orthogonally plungable through the upper surface of the base. In a first position, the insert is below the upper surface of the base. In a second position, the insert protrudes the upper surface of the base and is contact with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gerlovin
  • Patent number: 9506598
    Abstract: A support system includes a stand having a first vertical member and a second adjacent vertical member; a first horizontal member and a second adjacent horizontal member; a first pole and a second pole extending from the second horizontal member; a first leg and a second leg extending from the first vertical member and the second vertical member; a first hook and a second hook extending from the second horizontal member; a sign removably attached to the first hook and the second hook; and an object, having a body; a first locking member configured to extend within the body and configured to engage with the first pole; and a second locking member configured to extend within the body and configured to engage with the second pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: April Zotz
  • Patent number: 9506582
    Abstract: A drop-in loop hanger includes a U-shape portion or saddle for receiving an object to be supported, such as a pipe run, and an arm that guides the object to be supported into the U-shape portion. The hanger may include a moving portion that pivots at a hinge to allow entry of the object, then closes off the entryway to help retain the object within the hanger. The hanger may include a threaded portion for receiving a threaded rod, for example to mount the hanger from a ceiling or other structure or objects. The object may be placed in a series of already-installed hangers, for example placing a run of pipe in a series of hangers that support the pipe at different axial locations along the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott E Anderson, Jeffrey A Wilson, Eric J Wilson
  • Patent number: 9506601
    Abstract: An adapter device for radiation protective garments includes a user engagement unit that is interposed between a lower member and an upper member via a connector. The lower member includes a generally curved main body having one or more shafts extending upward. The user engagement unit includes an upper shoulder strap having one or more shaft apertures. The upper member includes a generally curved main body having one or more shaft apertures and a protrusion extending from the top surface of the upper member. The lower member, upper member and user engagement unit are functionally secured by shaft connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: George Monir
  • Patent number: 9497879
    Abstract: A hard drive rack includes a frame. The frame includes a plurality of plates surrounding to form an accommodating space and at least one insertion opening. The plates include a bottom plate, a cover plate, and a supporting plate. The latch arm of the actuator assembly includes a first buckle part and is pivotally connected to the frame. The buckle arm includes a pivotal end and a hooking end, the buckle arm connects to the bottom plate through the pivotal end and is able to pivotally rotate. The hooking end is formed with a second buckle part which is selectively blocked by the first buckle part to encircle the insertion opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SUPER MICRO COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Chen, Ken-Sheng Lin, Kuo-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 9490524
    Abstract: A spring boot for use with an antenna comprises a cylindrical main body having an annular flange at the lower end thereof, and an annular rim at the upper end thereof. The flange has a plurality of mounting holes therethrough. The interior of the spring boot is hollow and is configured to match the shape of the antenna spring. When installed, the spring boot is fitted over the spring, and seated on an antenna mount, encircling the spring. Fasteners are installed through the mounting holes on the flange to affix the spring boot to corresponding bores in the mount. A washer is positioned atop the rim and is fixed between the antenna core and the spring. This configuration effectively constrains the spring boot between the core and the mount, so as to provide added damping to the antenna spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: R.A. Miller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Miller, Susan Kay Boelkins
  • Patent number: 9469438
    Abstract: A PIM holder for attaching a PIM device having a cable to a rail in a medical environment includes a holster and a clamping device. The holster includes an open end sized to receive a PIM device and includes a cable opening extending from the open end on a side adjacent the open end to a side opposite the open end. The clamping device is sized and configured to attach the holster to a rail. The clamping device includes a stationary jaw secured to the holster and a moving jaw disposed adjacent the stationary jaw. The stationary jaw and moving jaw form an opening that receives the rail in a lateral direction and forms a passage therebetween to capture the rail. An actuator is pivotable between an open position and a closed position to displace the moving jaw to open and close the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Nool