Patents Examined by Darnell M Jayne
  • Patent number: 8469204
    Abstract: A remote control organizing system includes a base that has a front edge. A lip is attached to and is coextensive with the front edge. The lip is angled back over a top side of the front edge. A panel has a bottom edge and a coupler releasably attaches the bottom edge to an upper edge of the lip. A plurality of the remote controls each has a back side. A plurality of securing members releasably attaches the back sides to a front side of the panel. At least one spacer is provided. The at least one spacer is attached to the panel and positioned between a raised portion of one of the back sides and the panel to approximately position a longitudinal axis of the associated ones of the remote controls into a parallel alignment with a plane of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Clifford Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 8371454
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for a rack is provided. The rack has a plurality of holes. The bracket assembly includes a bracket having multiple bracket holes, a base securely connected to the bracket, and a fastening member pivotally connected to the bracket. The base includes multiple connection members corresponding to the bracket holes. The fastening member includes a resilient leg and a fastening arm. The fastening arm has at least one fastening portion. One of the connection members is inserted into one of the holes of the rack. The fastening portion of the fastening arm is hooked to the rack so as to connect the bracket to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ching Chen, Shun Ho Yang, Chien Li Huang, Chun Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8365926
    Abstract: A sliding type tool storage structure includes an open-close switching unit clamped between a first storing element and a second storing element slideable relative to each other. When the first storing element slides relative to the second storing element to change their relative position, stopping portions on the open-close switching unit will open or close tool storing grooves on the respective storing elements. Being a simple structure, the sliding type tool storage structure is easy to carry. Furthermore, since the tool storage structure can be operated simply by sliding of the first and second storing elements, it is very convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 8186778
    Abstract: The portable electronic device includes a body, a bottom panel configured for supporting the body, at least two linear wheel assemblies assembled to the bottom panel in the body corresponding to the at least two first opening, and a directional wheel assembly assembled to the bottom panel in the body corresponding to the second opening. At least two first opening and a second opening defined in the bottom panel. Each linear wheel assembly and the directional wheel assembly include a wheel member and a driving member respectively. The driving member of each linear wheel assembly drives the wheel member of the corresponding linear wheel assembly to extend through the corresponding first opening and retract in the body. The driving member of the directional wheel assembly drives the wheel member of the directional wheel assembly to extend through the second opening and retract in the body and to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yeung Sip, Xiong Li
  • Patent number: 8172345
    Abstract: A self-moving device for movable furniture parts includes a movable part which is movable with respect to a stationary part. The movable part includes first and second connecting portions. A closing mechanism includes a slide base which is movable in response to a force generated by a first elastic member. A locking member connected to the slide base is adapted to engage with the first connecting portion so that the movable part is urged by the first elastic member to be self-closing with respect to the stationary part. An opening mechanism includes a push member urged by a second elastic member to act on the second connecting portion. The movable part may be pushed by an external force to disengage the locking member from the first connecting portion so that the movable part is urged by the second elastic member to be self-opening with respect to the stationary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Chiang Liang, Ken-Ching Chen, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8155815
    Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a motor torque command for a transmission in a hybrid powertrain system includes calculating motor torque commands for the torque generating machines. Torque corrections for the motor torque commands are determined. The motor torque commands are adjusted based upon the torque corrections. The adjusted motor torque commands are verified based upon an estimated output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operation LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: William R. Cawthorne, Hanne Buur, Paul A Stanowski
  • Patent number: 8147016
    Abstract: A can receiving apparatus is disclosed. More particularly, disclosed is a can receiving apparatus for a refrigerator, in which a can receiving shelf is conveniently fixed at a pivotally rotated position, assuring easy storage and removal of cans and improved space utility. The can receiving apparatus includes a case, a can receiving shelf coupled to the case in a pivotally rotatable manner, and a fixing structure to fix the can receiving shelf at an upper limit position upon pivotal rotation of the can receiving shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Youl Kwon
  • Patent number: 8136898
    Abstract: A closing and retaining device for an extension guide includes a rail of an extension guide, a housing slidably disposed on the rail, and a driver disposed on the housing. The closing and retaining device also includes a damper housing retained in the housing, a displaceable piston coupled between the damper housing and the driver, wherein the damper housing is displaceable in a direction of movement of the piston, and a latch disposed on the driver to connect the piston to the driver. After the piston is connected to the driver, the damper housing is pushed into position by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Stefan RĂ¼ter
  • Patent number: 8118180
    Abstract: A system (1) for supporting a rollable object (4), such as a cylindrical container. The system comprises at least one elongated rail (2) and at least one supporting part. The rail (2) has a contact surface (6) for bearing on a base, and is furthermore provided, along at least two sides, with an at least partly profiled surface (5) for holding a supporting part (3) in position at least in a longitudinal direction of said elongated rail (2). The supporting part (3) comprises a supporting surface (7) for preventing a movement of the object (4) in a horizontal direction, and, optionally, for supporting the object (4) in a vertical direction, and a contact surface (8) for bearing on the rail (2) and/or the base. The supporting part (3) further comprises a passage (9) for receiving at least a part of the rail (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Lankhorst Special Mouldings B.V.
    Inventor: Arnoldus Van Belkom
  • Patent number: 8109579
    Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for a sneeze guard includes a support post having a mounting bar with two parallel ridges along the rear side. First and second support frames are slidably interconnected and secured to the ridges on the mounting bar in parallel relation, the outer side of first support frame facing the outer side of the second support frame. The first support plate is pivotally connected and adjustably secured in a plurality of rotational positions to the inner side of the first support frame. The first support plate includes a holder on the inner side attached to one end of a transparent pane of a sneeze guard. The second support plate is pivotally connected and adjustably secured in a plurality of rotational positions to the inner side of the second support frame. The second support plate includes a holder on the inner side attached to one end of an opposing transparent pane of a sneeze guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas A. English, Shawn D. Rice
  • Patent number: 8096626
    Abstract: An exemplary latching mechanism for folding drive bay door (10) includes a cover panel (12), two brackets (14), two link members (184), a rotatable member (16), and two elastic members (22). The cover panel is configured for covering an entrance of an electronic device. The cover panel forms two pivotally rotatable portions (122) on opposite ends. The brackets are fixed to the electronic device. Each of the brackets defines a guiding hole for receiving the pivotally rotatable portions of the cover panel. Opposite ends of each link member are rotatably connected to the cover panel and the rotatable member correspondingly. The rotatable member is rotatably connected to the brackets. Two ends of each elastic member resist one of the two brackets and the rotatable member correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 8051781
    Abstract: A shelf for overlying a shower barrier uses a pair of shelves that are connected by a connector shelf allowing the device to telescope. Each of the pair of shelves abut a side wall and overlie a curtain rod or the top of a shower door. Each shelf has a flat upper surface and a decorative downwardly depending front surface for enhancing the aesthetics of the shower enclosure and concealing the rod or top of the door. Various devices can be used to hold the shelves against the walls including telescoping rods attached to the connector shelf and the other two shelves with a set screw holding the rods in place. A compression spring can also push on the outer shelves; or screws can pass through either screw bosses on the two other shelves and into the respective walls or a bracket can, be attached to the outer shelves and the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventors: Krista K. Vind, Clayton J. Vind
  • Patent number: 8028846
    Abstract: Assembly of a structurally sound modular shelving system includes forming an H-shaped base structure, or otherwise-shaped base structure, by releasably hooking a tie beam into a first base piece and a second base piece. A first column member is slid into the first base piece by sliding an insert tab at an end of an elongate body of the first column into a vertical passage through the first base piece. A second column member is similarly slid into a second base piece. A header member is releasably hooked into the first and second columns, the header member extending substantially horizontally between the first and second columns and substantially perpendicularly to the first and second base pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Peota, Robert D. Yoder, Andrew A. Enyart, Mark A. Campbell, Steven C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8025163
    Abstract: A wall mounted shelving unit comprises a pair of shelf supporting wall mounting brackets, each including an upright rear segment and an upright front segment with horizontal crosspieces extending between and connected to the rear and front segments of each bracket. Each crosspiece includes a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending loops or a pair of spaced apart downward extending troughs, and a rear segment of each bracket includes loops for attachment to a wall. Wire shelves rest on the crosspieces, and the upwardly extending loops engage wires on the shelves to prevent relative movement between the shelves and the brackets. Alternatively, the shelf includes downwardly extending shelf trusses that rest in the troughs of the crosspieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. McAllister, Eric C. Yocum
  • Patent number: 8020822
    Abstract: An adjustable shelf assembly having a plurality of ribs, a rib cam associated with each rib, and a support beam having a substantially I-shaped profile. The rib cam has a transversely extending slot including a floor. Each rib has a shelf-retaining surface, a T-shaped downwardly-opening aperture, and two inwardly extending opposing rib cam flanges. The beam has two upper beam flanges and two annular channels. The upper beam flanges slide into the upper recesses of the aperture such that the rib is captured on the beam, and each rib cam flange extends into a respective one of the channels. The rib cam slides into one of the channels with one of the rib cam flanges captured in the slot. In the channel, the rib cam is rotatable around its longitudinal axis between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the slot floor bears down on the rib cam flange thereby locking the flange to the support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Goldin, Steven Goldin
  • Patent number: 7997216
    Abstract: An article of furniture comprising, in combination: a core body consisting of first plastic foam material, a first layer extending at one or more of the top and sides of the core, and attached to the core, consisting of plastic soft material, a second layer covering the first layer and covering the top and sides of the body, and which is a waterproof plastic film material, and an outer exposed sheet removably covering said second layer, and consisting of an upholstery material or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Thornbury Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Thornbury, Jaime Landa
  • Patent number: 7997212
    Abstract: A multi-purpose table including a channel forming a portion of, or attached to, a horizontal support bar of the table. The channel includes at least one trough for managing cables and cords associated with electrical and communication outlets. The electrical and communication outlets may be provided in the channel. The outlets remain available to a user of the table when a work surface of the table is positioned in either a horizontal or a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay M. Henriott
  • Patent number: 7997428
    Abstract: A support rod for curtains and the like has telescoping sections the ends of which are threaded for being screwed onto respective receivers mountable on facing walls in axial alignment. The receivers are fixed to the walls by fasteners which are concealed within the bore of at least one of the rod section or its mating receiver. A decorative flange may be mounted between each receiver and its respective rod section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: EMSA Sales Corporation
    Inventor: Allan Goldstein
  • Patent number: 7997427
    Abstract: A display cradle for storing and dispensing containers such as beverage cans and bottles. Containers are loaded from the rear of the display cradle onto shelves sloping downward from the back of the display cradle to the front of the display cradle. The bottom shelf of the display cradle includes an exit port at the front of the assembly, allowing containers to be removed from the display cradle. The display cradle includes an exit channel between a front wall and the front end of the shelves where the containers from each shelf drop through towards the exit port. A gate at the front end of each shelf pivots under the weight of the containers, allowing the front-most container on each shelf to enter the exit channel while preventing subsequent containers from entering the exit channel. When the containers have exited the exit channel, the biased gate tilts back allowing the next container on each shelf to repeat the sequence. The biased gates on each shelf may operate in unison with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Lowenbraun, Dennis Polvere, Jeff Leonard
  • Patent number: 7992726
    Abstract: A manual open bottom shelf allocation and management system for allocating shelf space among rows of products and for moving the rows of products toward the front of the shelf includes a plurality of adjacent shelf allocating and managing units. Each unit includes a pair of side dividers extending away from a front to a backstop defining an open bottom, wherein at least one row of products may be positioned on the shelf between the side dividers and wherein the side dividers provide for substantive lateral support for the product. Each unit is manually movable between the front and the back of the shelf and is adapted to advance at least one row of products toward the front of the shelf. The side dividers of two adjacent units may be in vertical alignment with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Shelf Advance, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Goehring