Patents Examined by Devin Barnett
  • Patent number: 7931157
    Abstract: Display bins for sheet goods which are easily assembled and disassembled are formed of bottom panels, front and rear display panels for holding sheet goods at suitable angles from the vertical for display. The front and rear display panels can be removably attached to both the bottom panel and at least two support brackets for use. All the components can be separated and stacked in a flat package for shipment or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: John A. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 7909184
    Abstract: A merchandising system for displaying products in a retail environment includes a panel structure extending upwardly from a floor, the panel structure forming a plurality of regularly, or uniformly, spaced insertion areas. The system also includes an annular cage supported over the floor by the panel structure such that it projects outwardly from the front of the panel structure. The annular cage optionally includes a first loop defining a front and a back with the back facing toward the panel structure and the front facing away from the panel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier
  • Patent number: 7905362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display stand for articles such as cosmetic products. The inventive display stand consists of a vertical board (1) comprising a rear face (4) and a front face (5). According to the invention, the front face is formed at least partially by a plurality of first panels (7) and a plurality of second panels (8) which are inclined in relation to the first panels (7), said first panels (7) being designed to receive the articles (10). Moreover, at least one of the second panels (8) is equipped with a reflective surface (8a) such that an image of the articles positioned on the opposing first panel (7) are visible on the second panel (8) to a person facing the board (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Parfums Christian Dior
    Inventor: Hedi Slimane
  • Patent number: 7900782
    Abstract: An apparatus for slidably storing stemware in an inverted position employs horizontally elongated front and rear track members held by spaced apart support members and an overhead anchoring member, and interactive to receive stemware in a direction orthogonal to the direction of elongation of the track members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Elisa Goserud, Noreen Herlihy
  • Patent number: 7896172
    Abstract: A compactable display is presented using a compactable pusher system constructed from folded sheet material using an elastic band as a biasing element. A unique polygon construction is described for generating increased tension on an elastic band as the polygon is compressed to generate forward biasing of objects in the compactable display. Construction and assembly of the unit is described with a two part construction that is held together by the elastic band using easily accessible connection points for quick assembly with additional access apertures provided for removal of the elastic band for easy disassembly of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas F. Hester
  • Patent number: 7882964
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removably coupling a hanger to a latch at a first end of the hanger, removing the hanger from the latch while the latch remains coupled to a support member, threading an item of hanging stock onto the hanger via the first end, and recoupling the hanger to the latch while the latch remains coupled to the support member, wherein the hanger extends from the latch at an angle that is less than the horizontal, so that the hanging stock is urged by gravity toward a second end of the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Battaglia
  • Patent number: 7878344
    Abstract: A rack for an appliance includes a main section including a frame adapted to be supported within a cavity of an appliance, and a primary platform area. The rack also includes an auxiliary section having an auxiliary platform area and being adapted to be movable relative to the main section between a retracted position and an extended position. In one example, a track is coupled to the frame and the auxiliary section is movable about the track. The auxiliary section can include a support bar configured for sliding engagement with the track. In another example, the track includes a first planar support area and a second planar support area for supporting the auxiliary section. In yet another example, the rack further includes a first stop portion to maintain the auxiliary section in the extended position, and a second stop portion to maintain the auxiliary section in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Henry Martin, James Hughes, David Shadwick, James Lewis Ayers
  • Patent number: 7878343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking column for holding warehouse items, in particular bodywork parts, on the support arms of ratchet levers, which pivot about a rotational axis from a resting position into a working position. Several ratchet levers are located above one another or next to one another and cooperate with one another. A supporting element, which in the working position lies on or against a preceding ratchet lever, rotates with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: MTS Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Gustav Strobel
  • Patent number: 7874436
    Abstract: A storage system may include a rack. The rack may include one or more saddle supports sized and configured to support at least a portion of a saddle. The rack may be sized and configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The rack may be sized and configured to move among a plurality of heights. The storage system may include a height adjustment device sized and configured to adjust the height of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Perry Hought
  • Patent number: 7874435
    Abstract: A pipeline pig support rack apparatus includes a frame having a plurality of supports mounted thereon, each extending upwardly from the frame. Each pipeline pig support includes clamps that are comprised of first and second u-shaped members that are attached with a hinge. A bolted connection opposite the hinge is provided for holding the u-shaped members together in a closed position when securing a pipeline pig. Lifting eyes on the frame are provided for enabling the frame, its pig supports and any contained pipeline pigs to be lifted as a unit. A basket receptacle optionally is provided that receives the frame. The frame and basket receptacle are each independently liftable. The basket receptacle prevents spillage of hazardous materials that might be residing upon the pigs after they have been used to clean a particular pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Integris Rentals, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Pierre L. Olivier
  • Patent number: 7854334
    Abstract: A standardized or basic product display device is provided with a standard front barrier for identifying and restraining a spring-urged column of displayed products in conjunction with a plurality of secondary barrier elements which can be easily and securely mounted onto the primary barrier to accommodate reconfiguration and enlargement of the display device. The secondary elements have lower portions of inverted U-shaped configuration which can be selectively applied over external edge margins of the primary barrier and secured thereto by locking detents. The secondary barrier element enables the front barrier of the display device to be enlarged, both in width and height to accommodate larger product packages than contemplated for the standard display device in its minimum configuration. In one form, the secondary barrier element has a vertical extension of narrow width, providing effective restraint of tall packages while maximizing visibility of the front of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Patent number: 7850015
    Abstract: A display device for displaying and dispensing tubular items of merchandise includes a first side and a substantially parallel second side spaced apart by a distance. A base forming a bottom portion and a cover forming a top portion of the display device are disposed between the first and second side. A first ramp having a first width is disposed between the first and second side and slopes downwardly toward a rear portion of the display device. A second ramp having a second width is disposed between the first and second side. At least a portion of the second ramp is disposed under the first ramp and slopes downwardly toward a front portion of the display device. The first width and second width are less than the distance between the first side and second side for facilitating a movement of the tubular items of merchandise in the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: New Dimensions Research Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy L. Mason
  • Patent number: 7850013
    Abstract: A locking mechanism to minimize access to a portion of a rack-mounted electronic device is provided. The locking mechanism includes a bar supported at one end to a first vertical post of the rack, and a locking member supported at a second end of the bar for locking to a second vertical post. In one embodiment, the bar is pivotally supported at the one end to the first post. The bar is movable between an open position where unimpeded access to a first portion of the electronic device is provided, and a closed position to restrict removal of components from the first portion of the electronic device. A clearance space may provided between the bar and the electronic device in the closed position to allow a user to access an electronic component to remove power from the component, but not to fully remove the component without unlocking the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Kramer, Peter Williams
  • Patent number: 7850022
    Abstract: An adjustable shelf assembly, which may be a rack mount shelf, that can adjustably accommodate a plurality of electronic devices. In an example embodiment, the shelf assembly is designed to hold several electronic devices, oriented vertically. This is accomplished by providing a shelf with multiple adjustments, including partitions to adjust the width left to right of each receiver receptacle. In addition, a rear slide mechanism adjusts front to back to accommodate the depth of the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Video Mount Products
    Inventor: Keith J. Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7789248
    Abstract: A portable and hangable gear holding unit includes a main portion and a number of positionable gear holding members. Each gear holding member, which may include a hook, extended or orthogonal tab, clip, and or equivalents, is structured for engaging and holding at least one piece of gear above a ground surface. The hangable gear holding unit may be portable, and transported to a location for hanging upon a support structure, such as a partition or chain link fence, for subsequent use in holding gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Russell J. Salerno, Charles E. Muller
  • Patent number: 7789251
    Abstract: A shelf structure includes a first and second panel. Each panel has a pair of transversely spaced apart side rails. A plurality of equidistantly spaced slots is formed in an inboard side of each of the side rails and a plurality of slats has opposed ends received within corresponding slots. The first and second panels are hingedly connected to one another at respective uppermost ends so that an “A” shape is formed when their respective lower ends are laterally spaced apart from one another. Each slat forming a part of the first panel has a transversely disposed, corresponding slat in the second panel at the same height so that removal of a pair of corresponding slats creates a pair of level openings. A shelf is slidingly inserted into each pair of openings. A chain interconnects the first panel and second panel near their lower ends to maintain the A shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: John R Clark
  • Patent number: 7762636
    Abstract: A container storage assembly including a frame, a first container support coupled to the frame and having a lower container support surface and an upper container support surface, and a second container support coupled to the frame and having a lower container support surface. The assembly further includes a third container support having an upper container support surface. The third container support is coupled to the frame between the first and the second container supports. The lower container support surfaces of the first container support and the second container support define a first plane, and the upper container support surfaces of the first container support and the third container support define a second plane that is above the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hatco Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Veeser, Louis S. Anich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7762406
    Abstract: A modular folding shoe rack includes first and second side rails; first and second arms pivotably connected with the side rails at a first end of the arms; a first crossbar connected with the opposite ends of the arms; and a second crossbar connected with the side rails. Each side rail may also include complementary male/female connectors at its opposite ends to allow for connection of one side rail to another, resulting in a modular design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Whitmor Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lu Zhi Qiang
  • Patent number: 7748803
    Abstract: A horizontal dispensing container comprising a base, opposed side structures including vertically spaced support members for slidably supporting removable, hinged shelves, and opposed rectangular frames is provided. The rectangular frames define openings on front and rear sides of the container through which parts may be loaded onto the slidable shelves inside the container. At least some of the movable shelves have front and rear sections separated by a hinge, the front section being pivotal downwardly to allow access to parts on the rear section of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Bazany, Barnia L. Scruggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7694831
    Abstract: The present invention is a motorcycle wheel holder with the capability of holding four motorcycle wheels simultaneously. The holder is capable of being rolled around and folds into a closed configuration by rotating two arms into its main frame. The arms are lockable in the deployed or stored configuration via actuation of locking pins. The unique geometry of the invention allows it to be oriented vertically or horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Pit Bull Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Van Valkenburgh