Patents Examined by David Voorhees
  • Patent number: 4811874
    Abstract: A spare tire carrier is described for attachments to a vehicle (e.g., to the bumper). The carrier includes an elongated leg member which can be moved between an upward position and a lowered position. Bias means (e.g., a spring) biases the leg member toward its upward position. A tire support arm is secured to the leg member, and the spare tire can be detachably secured to the support arm. Lock means is used to secure the leg in either the upward or the lowered position, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Vincent R. Robison
  • Patent number: 4790463
    Abstract: Bag for use by divers for transporting articles under water, including valves for controlling the buoyancy of the bag under water. An essential consideration is that this transportation shall take place while the articles are kept dry, for example tools or materials to be used in diver operations. According to the invention a receptacle (10) for articles to be transported, constitutes a buoyancy chamber, and is provided with at least one unidirectional valve (15, 16, 18) for buoyancy control, as well as a watertight closure, preferably a zipper (4) for an opening to the receptacle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Viking-Stavanger A/S
    Inventor: Larsin Hansen
  • Patent number: 4782956
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette in a case overwrapped with a plastic film having a tear tape wound on all four sides of the case close to, and substantially in parallel with, one case end, the film being overlapped at the mating edge portions and glued together on a side of the case adjoining to the above end, with the tear tape extended between the overlapped edge portions, is characterized in that at least one cut is made in the overlying one of the edge portions, extending along the edge of the tear tape closer to one case end and, where an additional cut is provided, the latter extending obliquely away from the end of the opposite edge of the tear tape. The underside of the end portion of the tear tape and, when desired, the same side of the overlying film edge portion, are made adhesive-repellent. The end portion of the tear tape may extend beyond the overlying film edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: TDK Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 4778092
    Abstract: A roof rack for a motor vehicle, the roof rack has a roof bar to extend transverse of the vehicle and a mounting assembly to secure the roof bar to the roof gutter of the vehicle, a mounting assembly secures the roof rack to the gutter by means of a gutter clamp which is moved both transverse of the vehicle and vertically relative to the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Unistrut International Corp.
    Inventor: Richard C. Grace
  • Patent number: 4775083
    Abstract: A carrying case for a portable radio is provided which includes an attachment structure for attaching the case to the radio user. The carrying case includes a two position sound deflector which, at the option of the user, is situated in a first position to deflect sound upward toward the user's ears or which is situated in a second position for protecting the controls of the radio from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Marilyn S. Burger, Eugene R. Fay, Farid Cifuentes
  • Patent number: 4773575
    Abstract: Utility rack support assembly for mounting on the base rail of a truck bed enclosure of a pick-up truck. The assembly includes mounting brackets fixed to the enclosure base rail, and a utility rack attached to the brackets and extending over the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Charles E. Morrison, III
  • Patent number: 4770326
    Abstract: A golf club carrier to be attached to a bicycle for transporting golf clubs and other golfing accessories comprises a main supporting frame adapted to be removably received and supported on the rear portion of the bicycle frame about the rear wheel and has a plurality of rigid outer tubular members secured to the sides of the main supporting frame at each side of the rear wheel, each of which slidably received a golf club. The supporting frame has U-shaped upper and lower frame members structurally reinforced by a pair of upright frame support members. A kick stand is mounted pivotally on the main supporting frame and movable to a down position for adjustably supporting the bicycle and frame filled with clubs in a generally upright position. Additional golf accessories may be carried in a box-like container secured on the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Clifford A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4770313
    Abstract: A lightweight container for storing synthetic fibers, liquids granular materials and the like above the level of the floor has a bottom wall and a plurality of upright side walls joined together and attached to the bottom wall. Each of the side walls is formed of sheet metal and is provided with horizontally arranged profiled portions extending in parallel to the bottom wall. In addition, the side walls have identical profiled portions which are spaced from the bottom wall in a corresponding arrangement so that the profiled portions mate or match around the periphery of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heinz Fleissner
  • Patent number: 4770330
    Abstract: A tool box designed to be size adjustable and for disassembly for easy storage and shipment. It has a removable center compartment and a pair of preferably identical end storage compartments adapted for conforming, straddle bed fitting in the bed of a pickup. The center section may be used for wide bed tool boxes, and may be removed for narrow bed tool boxes, and as well may be removed for storage. Thus, significant advantages of the three-piece straddle bed tool box are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Deflecta-Shield Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Bonstead, William S. Wagner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4770328
    Abstract: A casing for a tissue stimulator includes a box portion for containing the stimulator circuitry and a cover hingeably mounted on the box portion. The cover has a clip for mounting on the user's belt. The box rotates away from the cover approximately 90.degree. to a generally horizontal position wherein the user can manipulate controls on the stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dickhudt, Michael Krol
  • Patent number: 4768654
    Abstract: A multi-ply gusseted bag having a set of lines of perforations in one of its gussets extending across the gusset adjacent one end of the bag such that, as regards the filled and closed bag, the portion of the gusset between the set of lines of perforations and said one end of the bag may be pushed in and separated from the remainder of said one gusset by tearing on said set of lines of perforations, and may then be pulled out to form a pouring spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4768691
    Abstract: An adjustable support rail for a luggage carrier adapted to be mounted on exterior surface of a vehicle. The system includes a pair of spaced parallel tracks fixedly secured to the exterior surface of the vehicle and having a slot extending substantially the length of the track. A support stanchion is slidably mounted to each of the tracks with a rail extending between the stanchions. The stanchion includes a tensioning member which lockingly engages the stanchion onto the track once it is properly positioned by clampingly engaging the track against the stanchion. The stanchion may be selectively locked and released using a threaded member which engages and draws the tensioning member towards a wall of the stanchion and against the track. In addition, the end of the track is closed off by an end cap which includes a pivotable door covering an access opening through which the stanchion is mounted to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Huron/St. Clair Company, a division of Masco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Stapleton
  • Patent number: 4768689
    Abstract: A multi-purpose sling includes an elongated flexible strap with a hook attached to one end, with the other end of the strap attached to the middle bar of a slide buckle threaded on the strap, thereby forming an adjustable loop. A second hook is attached to a ring which is threaded onto the strap in the adjustable loop. Each hook is J-shaped and large enough to freely hold the string of a compound bow.In a second embodiment, a hook is attached to one end of a flexible strap and the strap is then looped through a large ring. The strap is then threaded through a ring attached to the strap near the first hook, and then through a second ring which is loose on the strap. The other end of the strap is then fastened to the large ring to form a double loop arrangement. A second hook is connected to the loose ring. In this embodiment, the hooks are generally U-shaped with a narrow throat portion which will snap onto a ring or similar member on the item to be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Dale C. Davis
  • Patent number: 4763820
    Abstract: A multi-purpose vehicle garment hanger characterized by a flexible body selectively disposed along and retained at a desired location on and by the side window of a vehicle when the side window is at a closed position. Hooks, as loops, for common hooked hanger receiving purposes, are secured to the flexible body, where the latter includes a stop for positive unit placement and/or retention at a desired use location. The arrangement also affords an ice/snow removal function through the provision of a blade defining an edge of a plate member secured to the flexible body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Charles Gardner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4762257
    Abstract: The Hose Handler to enable a fireman to carry a firehose without use of his hands consists of a detachable chest belt further supported by a pair of shoulder straps. One or more quick-release latches are attached to the chest belt in the regions between the attachments points for the shoulder straps, to which a lanyard supporting a firehose can be readily attached or detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Larvco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Spillers, Alonzo Martinez, Vergel G. Perry, Lonnie L. Smith
  • Patent number: 4762256
    Abstract: A baby carrier device which is convertible to function as either a baby stroller or as a baby backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Len Whitaker
  • Patent number: 4759483
    Abstract: A retainer for a knife sheath or pistol holster allows the weapon to be positioned at various positions relative to the strap. The retainer is fastened at its top and bottom to the weapon case by fasteners which leave spaces between the top and bottom. Sockets are secured to the case and face toward the retainer. The sockets are located between the fasteners at the top and bottom. Holes extend through the retainer. Pins insert through holes into the sockets. The pins may be selectively removed from the sockets to change the path or loop for the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Fred M. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 4759481
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a cycle headlamp, particularly for a bicycle headlamp, features a mounting bracket (13) which can clamp onto a horizontally disposed strut of the cycle frame or of a cycle accessory, such as a baggage carrier.The cycle headlamp has a reflector housing (9) which is rotatably coupled to the upper end of the mounting bracket (13). The lower end (14) of the mounting bracket is bifurcated into upper (15) and lower (16) legs or jaws, which define a bight or maw (18) having an interior clamping surface (17) which is preferably half-cylindrical but may also be polygonal. A further clamping element (24, 25) is supported by the jaws (15, 16) and presses the strut (7) between itself and the clamping surface (17). This mounting is very secure and resists twisting torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: ESGE-Marby GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinrich Belka
  • Patent number: 4759641
    Abstract: Valve bags having a vent for exit of air from the bag as it is filled, with a filter for the vent incorporated in the bag as part of the bag for preventing escape of product from the bag. In each of two types of bag disclosed, the filter is formed as a pocket for receiving a vacuum member for evacuating air from the bag through the filter. In one of these two types, the valve is at a corner at one end of the bag and the pocket is at the opposite corner at this end. In the other, the valve and pocket are at one and the same corner, the pocket being under the valve. In a third type of bag disclosed, the filter is part of a valve sleeve for the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4757894
    Abstract: A shotgun shell case including a box-like receptacle having a horizontal bottom wall, vertical side walls and a plurality of individual cylindrical shell receiving pockets depending from the bottom wall which have shelf engaging projections for holding shells inserted therein firmly in place. The case further includes a hinged cover and means to attach the case to the belt of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: William Schreckenstein