Patents Examined by Derek J. Berger
  • Patent number: 5799916
    Abstract: A bracket for being mounted to a flotation device such as a drum is manufactured as a single piece which includes spaced apart parallel sidewalls having a curved bottom edge for mating with the curvature of the periphery of a floating drum and has end walls spanning between the sidewalls at opposite ends of the sidewalls and a top wall opposite of the lower curved edges of the sidewalls in which top wall there is a central opening on opposite sides of which there are flat load bearing surfaces. A clamping device having the properties of a turnbuckle connects between the ends of strap which wraps around the drum and hooks to opposite ends of the turnbuckle so that turning of the body of the turnbuckle holds the ends of the strap together to effect frictional gripping of the bracket to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Donald A. Lechner
  • Patent number: 5799910
    Abstract: A toothpaste tube and toothbrush holder is disclosed for holding various sized and shaped toothpaste tubes. The toothpaste tube holder includes slots for ease of access of the toothpaste tube and for providing a wedging action for securely holding the toothpaste tube in a rolled-up position when not in use. The holder also provides a plurality of recessed shelves for holding other types of toothpaste containers. Finally, the device comprises an enclosed cavity for holding toothbrushes, the cavity being accessible from a removable base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Fred E. Dexter
  • Patent number: 5799923
    Abstract: A compensator assembly for incorporating into a motor mount includes a base, a connecting link, a thrust rod, and a pair of rubber thrust grommets. The connecting link and thrust rod form a solid link to connect a motor mount to the flexible rubber grommets held by the base. Bushings positioned coaxially within the grommets prevent lateral deformation of the grommets. The compensator assembly compensates for forces of thrust on the motor mount and prevents the motor mount from exceeding its flex capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: The Evolution Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Alan I. Carr, Richard W. Wilbur, Samuel H. Tibbetts, II
  • Patent number: 5799906
    Abstract: A cable mount for securing a bundle of wires against a mounting surface including a spaced apart pair of legs having retention barbs, and a corresponding harness fixture, which allows for easy application of a single, centered cable tie by an automatic cable tie application tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Larry A. Hillegonds
  • Patent number: 5797566
    Abstract: A wire holder has legs and wire holding pieces which are formed integrally with a holder body. The wire holding pieces are formed in a manner such that there is no gap when the holding pieces are projected on a first plane which contains the holder body, and that there is a gap when the wire holding pieces are projected on a second plane which intersects the first plane. The wire introduced into a wire holding space is held in position. The wire holder can be automatically mounted on a circuit board, and the wire holding operation by means of the wire holder can be performed easily and securely. A wire holder assembly has a lead frame formed with a plurality of holes which are arranged at regular intervals and into which feed teeth of an automatic loader are engagedly fitted individually, and a plurality of wire holders of the aforesaid type arranged at regular intervals on the lead frame. This assembly is adapted for the attachment of the wire holders to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Kyoshin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyotaro Sato
  • Patent number: 5797579
    Abstract: A tree stand featuring a plurality of retaining elements and a single clamping element which acts upon all of the retaining elements via a load transmission element. The load transmission element comprises a flexible, substantially inextensible connecting part having tensile strength which initially moves all of the retaining elements essentially free of a retaining force into contact with the trunk of the tree, and then presses all of the retaining elements against the tree trunk with an essentially identical retaining force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Krinner GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Krinner
  • Patent number: 5797568
    Abstract: A multi-position television monitor stand, comprising two pieces with a rectangular footprint. One of the larger surfaces of such pieces has a deep, semicircular, concave depression to mate with the outer surface of a vertical support. The outer surface of one of the pieces has a U-shaped projection, which is bored through to accommodate a first pin with threaded ends attached to the projection using nuts, holding a projecting hollow element that connects by conventional means to a tubular element using a second pin. The tubular element has similarly tubular extensions provided with vertical plates including pairs of angled slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Telefonica de Espana S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Canton Gongora, Carlos Jesus Cruz Fernandez, Jose Maria Munagorri Enriquez, Juan Carlos Rayo Ortiguela
  • Patent number: 5797574
    Abstract: A vertical drive nut apparatus includes an elongated strap having an aperture formed in a central portion, and a pair of folded legs extending from the central portion and terminating in parallel first and second ends having coaxial apertures. A plastic drive nut is insert molded about the central portion of the strap with a threaded through bore in the drive nut coaxially aligned with the aperture in the central portion to threadingly receive a vertical drive lead screw. The first and second ends of the strap are pivotally connected to a bracket carried on a rotatable torsion tube extending between a pair of power seat adjuster track assemblies to effect rotation of the torsion tube and a resulting elevational change in one end of a seat upon translation of the drive nut and the strap by rotation of the vertical drive lead screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen R. Brooks, Dean L. Ruger
  • Patent number: 5794894
    Abstract: A selectively adjustable suspension support and a method for suspending a supported member from an overhead support member at a selected distance below the overhead support member includes an elongate flexible cable, a bead affixed to the cable adjacent each end of the cable, and a plurality of separate, discrete tabs affixed to the cable, spaced apart along the length of the cable, each tab including a catch for receiving and capturing a bead in the tab, whereby capture of a bead within a selected tab establishes the distance between the overhead support member and the supported member, and juxtaposition of the cable with the catch precludes inadvertent release of the bead from the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Carl Stahl Sava Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek A. Fremund
  • Patent number: 5794901
    Abstract: Functional component usable for demonstration and/or training purposes which can be releasably secured to the mounting face of a support base (1). It is provided with a clamping device (8) which is brought into engagement with a mounting recess (3) of support base (1), which is activated by rotating an actuating element (12). A downwardly extending clamping head (18) is mounted on the actuating element which is insertable into the mounting recess (3) and which can be positioned by rotating in such a manner that it engages behind two retaining protrusions in the mounting recess (3). By a further rotation of the actuating element, the functional element is clamped against the surface of the support base (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Festo KG
    Inventor: Albert Sigel
  • Patent number: 5791606
    Abstract: A radio installation kit for automobiles comprising a frame with rearward facing walls, mounting plates which snap onto the frame and mounting brackets which snap onto the plates. The plates and brackets may be assembled in a great variety of locations allowing for maximum vehicle application coverage. All of the components are constructed with out the need for expensive slide tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: James A. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 5791609
    Abstract: A bracket assembly provides dual-axis rotatable mounting of a GPS data collection unit to a range pole. A neck fits around a range pole and has a threaded flange at one end. A compression ring slips around the range pole and abuts the neck. A collar fits over the compression ring and threads onto the flange. A boom extends from the neck and supports a bracket assembly adapted to hold the data collector. The boom has a stop flange near the proximal end and external threading at the distal end. Two compression rings fit around the boom. A base member has a supporting sleeve which slips around the boom in between the compression rings. The sleeve supports a base plate. An internally threaded knob fits over the boom and the distally placed compression ring and mates with the external threading at the distal end of the boom. The knob compresses the sleeve in between the compression rings and secures the base member at a desired position to prevent it from rotating about the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Hankins
  • Patent number: 5791614
    Abstract: A head rest mounted hanger comprising a plurality of hanging means connected to a hanger body and post grooves for engagement with the head rest posts of a seat head rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis J. Sims
  • Patent number: 5788206
    Abstract: An automotive transmission mount comprising a top plate which is configured for attachment to a transmission housing and defines top and bottom surfaces. Interlocked to the top plate is a bottom plate which is configured for attachment to a vehicle frame. Disposed between the top and bottom plates is a resilient material such as polyurethane which includes an upwardly extending portion protruding beyond the top surface of the top plate. The upwardly extending portion is adapted to be compressed so as to apply a preload to the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Donald D. Bunker
  • Patent number: 5788203
    Abstract: A pad for a computer mouse includes a substrate of cushion sponge of a predetermined shape and size, a layer of nylon netting glued to one side of the substrate, and a layer of paper adhered to the glue and netting. Adhesive is placed on the outer surface of the paper, and a piece of pre-printed synthetic sheet material is adhered to the adhesive. A coating of polymer may be placed over the synthetic material, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: John A. Nitti
  • Patent number: 5788207
    Abstract: An automotive transmission mount comprising a top plate which is configured for attachment to a transmission housing and defines top and bottom surfaces. Interlocked to the top plate is a bottom plate which is configured for attachment to a vehicle frame. Disposed between the top and bottom plates is a resilient material which includes an upper section positioned between the top and bottom surfaces of the top plate. The transmission mount further comprises a compression plate which is configured to be positioned between the top plate and the transmission housing. The compression plate is used to compress the upper section of the resilient material so as to apply a pre-load to the bottom plate when the transmission mount is attached to the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Donald D. Bunker
  • Patent number: 5785288
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator housing is easily installed to a vehicle panel in four steps. The legs of spaced housing mounting brackets are first inserted into panel apertures until abutments on the brackets engage the aperture edges. The housing is swung toward the panel on bracket bearing surfaces to compress bracket spring fingers and engage first bracket shoulders with the panel underside. The housing is then slid on the panel until other bracket abutments engage the opposite aperture peripheries, and spaced second bracket shoulders engage the panel underside. This action aligns a housing flange hole with a mating hole in a panel boss, enabling insertion of a fastener. The panel is clamped between the spaced bracket shoulders and the spring fingers and/or bracket bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Dura Automotive Systems
    Inventor: Frank Thomas West
  • Patent number: 5782439
    Abstract: A support system for data transmission lines and the like includes a plurality of rail sections and a hub having a horizontal peripheral rim. A plurality of vertical holes are spaced at intervals around the rim for connecting the rail sections to the hub in positions in which the rail sections radiate out from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich Company
    Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
  • Patent number: 5782450
    Abstract: The ergonomic device of the present invention relieves and prevents finger, hand and arm stress which normally accrue when a computer keyboard or the like is used over an extended period of time at an improper height with respect to the keyboard operator. The device includes a number of stacked releasably interconnected sheets of uniform or of varying thicknesses of from about 1/8 inch to about 1/2 inch, although other thicknesses are also suitable. The sheets operate as a support block for the keyboard, raising it to a heighth which prevents the aforementioned stress during use of the keyboard. The sheets preferably are of plastic or the like and preferably are color coded if they are of differing thicknesses, in order to facilitate their proper reassembly into the support block. The upper surface of the uppermost sheet is non-slip so that a computer keyboard will be held thereagainst without movement. Such upper surface can carry a plurality of spaced lines to help center the keyboard thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Richard C. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5779216
    Abstract: An improved power tool torque and weight balancing apparatus for use in in-line assembly processes that require power tools, such as in the assembly of automotive engines. The power tool and weight balancing apparatus consists of a pivoting mounting frame, either suspended from a rail or fixedly mounted on a four-roller trolley, attached to a balancer frame that holds an air or spring powered balancer mechanism. The balancer mechanism has a cable with a swivel connector attachment which travels inside a set of telescoping tube members and attaches to a mechanism for holding a power tool. The mechanism for holding a power tool may hold a horizontally or vertically mounted power tool and is pivotable 360 degrees for operator convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ohio Tool Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Gregory J. Grace, David A. Lemaster