Patents Examined by Devin Barnett
  • Patent number: 8770600
    Abstract: A retail cart for use in storing and stocking merchandise and, more particularly, to a mobile polymeric retail cart which is easily assembled and disassembled without the need for tools having opposing forces in its construction lending rigidity to the overall structure and a plurality of slideably received shelving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Effizient, LLC
    Inventors: Ludwig Klaus Preidt, Karl Ronald Chapel, Thomas A. Nakfoor
  • Patent number: 8763819
    Abstract: A display fixture includes a shelf having a tester product receptacle, at least one first tester product assembly and an elongated channel. The at least one first tester product assembly has a base and a cover. The cover includes a hinge component. The base is located in the tester product receptacle of the shelf. The elongated channel is coupled to the shelf and is configured to receive and retain the hinge component of the cover such that the cover is rotatable about a back edge of the base of the at least one first tester product assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Theisen, Nick Q. Trinh, Benjamin Weshler
  • Patent number: 8739986
    Abstract: A retail cart for use in storing and stocking merchandise and, more particularly, to a mobile polymeric retail cart which is easily assembled and disassembled without the need for tools having opposing forces in its construction lending rigidity to the overall structure and a plurality of slideably received shelving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Effizient, LLC
    Inventors: Ludwig Klaus Preidt, Karl Ronald Chapel
  • Patent number: 8739982
    Abstract: A customizable storage rack replaceably mounted either on a top or on a bottom of a shelf, stores handguns, and positions the handguns at customizable distances from each other. The customizable storage rack includes a body, mandrels, and attaching apparatus. The body is replaceably mounted either on the top or on the bottom of the shelf. The mandrels are replaceably attached to the body, store the handguns, and position the handguns at customizable distances from each other. The attaching apparatus is operatively connected to the body, and replaceably mounts the body either on the top or on the bottom of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Theodore J. Werner
  • Patent number: 8727139
    Abstract: An aftermarket kitchen utensil and a method of using the utensil to support a cover of a cooking vessel such that the cover does not obstruct the service of food from the cooking vessel while drippings from the inner surface of the supported cover are guided into the cooking vessel. The utensil includes a body, a first support assembly operable and effective for supporting the body in a vertically upright position during use, and a second support assembly operable and effective for supporting the cover of a cooking vessel in a desired orientation relative to the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeanne Sventek, Bruce Sventek, Tanner Sventek
  • Patent number: 8727179
    Abstract: A box structure has a plurality of walls positioned and configured to prevent access to an interior space housing merchandise in a secure manner. A first movable wall permits manual access to a frontal portion of the interior space while at the same time moving a barrier strip to prevent manual access to other than said frontal portion of the interior space. A roll-out shelf mounts merchandise supporting modules with pushers to move merchandise toward the front of the structure where ejection mechanisms in each of the modules are able to direct selected items to the front of the structure where they can be accessed by consumers. The ejection process creates a characteristic noise to alert store personnel that products are being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Colelli, Eric E. Oberg, Johnnie Cruz, Keith Cleland
  • Patent number: 8714373
    Abstract: A stackable glide rack includes an elongated member having a plurality of vertical partitions forming at least one row for storing a plurality of beverage containers, multiple protrusions and indentations for allowing a group of individual glide racks to be stacked in a vertical manner and an identification unit for identifying a type of beverage container stored in each row. When so oriented, a plurality of glide racks can provide an increased product selection choices without occupying additional space in a refrigerated display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Devin Danehy
  • Patent number: 8707582
    Abstract: A spring shoe, and also in particular a spring, as well as a method of returning energy to a user, are provided. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus stores foot strike energy and releases it after a slight delay, when it will exert a force on the user which includes a forward component. This is accomplished in an embodiment by a spring in the sole which has a decreasing spring force, such that the force required to compress the sole decreases for all or part of the compression displacement as the spring is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: James B. Klassen, David W. Boehm
  • Patent number: 8711557
    Abstract: A support tray for a server includes a main body defining an opening in a front end, and a first cover and a second cover with different sizes. When the first cover is mounted to the front end of the main body, a cover plate of the first cover shields the opening of the main body. Therefore, the main body and the first cover cooperatively bound a first receiving space adapted to accommodate a first computing unit. When the second cover is mounted to the front end of the main body, a cover plate of the second cover shields the opening of the main body. Therefore, the main body and the second cover cooperatively bound a second receiving space adapted to accommodate a second computing unit. The first receiving space is longer than the second receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8708166
    Abstract: A confection rack enables confections to appear as a bouquet of flowers. The confection rack Comprises a plurality of wire rings in circular form mechanically coupled to one another. The plurality of wire rings is mechanically coupled to a ring base with riser prongs. The ring base is further mechanically coupled to locating prongs which can be used to align the confection rack into a pot. In this manner, a user can insert the confections into the plurality of wire rings to make the confections appear as a bouquet of flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Elizabeth Lynne Crouch
  • Patent number: 8701898
    Abstract: An adjustable shelf assembly for a dishwasher system is used to hold cups, bowls, spoons and other crockery items that are placed within the dishwasher. The vertical position of the shelf assembly within the dishwasher tub is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism comprising a carrier and a gripping projection. The gripping projection can move between a gripping position and sliding position. The carrier slides up and down a vertical bar. The adjustable shelf is capable of moving between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position the shelf can support crockery items. The shelf can be moved and held at any position between the deployed and stowed positions. The shelf assembly includes a cam mechanism that allows the shelf to move between a deployed position and a stowed position. The shelf is partially curved in the stowed position and flexes to become straight in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventor: Biao Chai
  • Patent number: 8701902
    Abstract: To be able to connect and mount a rack mount device having a rack loaded device loaded thereon to a rack easily, and to be able to release and detach the rack mount device easily from the outside of the rack. The rack mount device has a pair of mount kits for holding the rack loaded device arranged to oppose to each other, which are detachably connected to four mount angles configuring the rack. Each mount kit is configured with a front mount and a rear mount, which are freely slidable with respect to each other in the longitudinal directions thereof. A kit connecting mechanisms for connecting each mount kit to the mount angles are provided to both ends of the mount kits, respectively. A connection releasing mechanism for releasing the connection between the mount kits and the mount angles is provided to each of the kit connecting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiro Oura
  • Patent number: 8690471
    Abstract: A corner connector for a shelving display is provided comprising a planar base, an inner and an outer wall on and substantially perpendicular to the base, wherein a receptacle is formed between the inner and outer walls, a post on and substantially perpendicular to the base, and a first and a second end wall at opposing ends of the inner and outers walls, wherein said first and second end walls further define the receptacle. The corner connector further comprises a separator located within the receptacle to define an upper receptacle and a lower receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Batavia Container, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Wians, Jeff A. Waterman
  • Patent number: 8684227
    Abstract: A merchandise display hook for displaying items of merchandise includes a support rod and a helix disposed about the support rod and extending along at least a lengthwise portion of the support rod. The support rod includes mounting structure for mounting the display hook to a display fixture and has a first end adjacent the mounting structure and a second end opposite the first end adjacent the helix for loading the items of merchandise onto the support rod and for dispensing the items of merchandise from the support rod. The merchandise display hook further includes a time delay mechanism attached to the helix adjacent the second end of the support rod so as to define a space therebetween for loading and dispensing the items of merchandise. The time delay mechanism includes a gear assembly configured for permitting the items of merchandise to be loaded onto the support rod at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the items of merchandise can be dispensed from the support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, David N. Berglund, Larry K. Hooks, Gregory C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8671590
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a stability layer dimensioned to be positioned within a shoe. The apparatus may comprise a stability wall extending downward from a heel portion of the stability layer. The stability wall may comprise a back section dimensioned to curve around a back side of the heel portion. The stability wall may also comprise at least one of a lateral side section and/or a medial side section. The lateral side section may extend along a lateral side of the heel portion and the medial side section may extend along a medial side of the heel portion. A method may comprise providing a stability layer and a midsole layer. The method may also comprise positioning the stability layer on the midsole layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nelwood Corporation
    Inventors: Bret Rasmussen, Kevin Taylor
  • Patent number: 8646623
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lockable eyewear display system. Embodiments of the system include a frame holder on which the eyewear is placed, a locking mechanism that secures the eyewear to the holder, and a key that enables a user to holder unlock and to remove the eyewear from the holder. In one embodiment, frame holder includes an articulating joint allowing at least a portion of the holder and eyewear to be swiveled. The frame holder is removably attachable to a display rod of the system configured to hold a plurality of frame holders. The display rod includes a lock in one embodiment to prevent removal of the frame holders from the rod without use of a specially configured access key. The display rod is mountable to a surface of a fixture or display object such as a rack or furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Eye Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Winig, Richard Winig, James Eldon
  • Patent number: 8646618
    Abstract: A modular shelving system comprises a first upright, a second upright, first and second rails, and a rail spanner. The first upright includes a first body and a first cleat having a base portion secured in the first body. The second upright includes a second body and a second cleat having a base portion secured in the second body. Each of the first and second rails defines an upper cleat hole and a lower cleat hole. The first cleat of the first upright is slidably received in the upper and lower cleat holes of the first rail, and the second cleat of the second upright is slidably received in the upper and lower cleat holes of the second rail. The rail spanner extends between the first and second rails and includes first and second retaining claws each connected to the rail spanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Peota, Robert D. Yoder, Andrew K. Enyart, Mark A. Campbell, Steven C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8646619
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lockable eyewear display system. One embodiment of the system includes a support frame on which the eyewear is placed, a lock that secures the eyewear to the frame, and a key that removes the lock from the frame. The device may further include an anchor connected to the frame that anchors the frame to a fixture or display object such as a rack or furniture. In another embodiment, the eyewear display device includes an articulating joint allowing at least a portion of the support frame to be swiveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Eye Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Winig, Richard Winig, James Eldon
  • Patent number: 8641000
    Abstract: A tile holder and methods of its use are described. Embodiments of the tile holder are adapted to mounting to suitable objects and removably and replaceably receiving tiles and the like. Embodiments of the tile holder comprise a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped tile frame having a frame having a face plate having an aperture for exposing a face of the tile and the like, a back plate removably and releasably fastened to the frame and having a stud for mounting to a post having a receiving hole for receiving the stud of the back plate and locking the back plate to the post with a fastener, another fastener for fastening the post to a suitable object, and an optional escutcheon for optionally fastening the post to the escutcheon and the escutcheon to a wall or other suitable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Frances W. Eide
  • Patent number: 8627966
    Abstract: A shelving system includes a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal traverses. The horizontal traverses are coupled to the vertical posts by means of a bifurcated collar that are placed on each vertical post. Each horizontal traverse includes an end piece which is configured to couple to both halves of the bifurcated collar. Each half of the bifurcated collar comprises a wedge shaped design such that when a load is placed on the traverse, forces are applied to the bifurcated collar that squeezes each half of the collar together more tightly around the vertical post. The traverses may be coupled to one or both sides of the vertical post to allow the shelving system to be extended as far as the user desires in any lateral direction. The shelving system may also be extended in a perpendicular or other angular direction by means of a wedge shaped corner connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cambro Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Charles W. Jarvis, Johannes Le, Fred Gates, Jorge Baez, Herbert Hense