Patents Examined by Eret McNichols
  • Patent number: 9499073
    Abstract: A slide rail of a vehicle seat includes a first rail to which a screw having a screw thread formed on an outer periphery is fixed; a second rail that retains a nut into which the screw screws, and moves relative to the first rail by the nut rotating; a protruding portion that is provided on the first rail, and protrudes toward the screw; and an elastic member that connects the protruding portion and the screw. The elastic member has a retaining body that retains the screw, and an engaging body that engages with the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichiro Tsuji, Jueru Shimizu, Wataru Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9499933
    Abstract: A device (1) for supporting a domestic appliance and for bringing the appliance to a working height. The device being manufactured from a water-resistant material and including four legs (6) connected together such that the four legs (6) can be under the four corner points of a domestic appliance and having sufficient strength to bear the weight of a domestic appliance. The four legs (6) are connected together by a top panel (4) at the top and by a bottom panel (2) at the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ENER S.A.
    Inventor: Ludwig Georges Deryckere
  • Patent number: 9482383
    Abstract: A support stand includes a housing, a first limiting member, a linkage bar, a first elastic positioning device, and a first supporting arm. The housing defines a receiving groove and a first hollow portion. The receiving groove is configured to receive an electronic device. The first limiting member is fixed in the first hollow portion. The first limiting member defines a first limiting groove. The linkage bar and the first elastic positioning device are movably received in the first hollow portion. The first elastic positioning device is configured to partially limit the first limiting groove, thus the linkage bar is fixed to the housing. The first supporting arm is slidably and rotatably connected to the linkage bar. The first supporting arm is configured to form a desired angle with the housing, whereby the first supporting arm cooperates with the housing to support the housing and the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sheng Wei
  • Patent number: 9482382
    Abstract: A holding device for a tablet computer has a lower part spanning a setting-up surface for setting it up on a tabletop and an upper part which can be rotated with respect to the lower part about a rotation axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the setting-up surface, which upper part has a first and a second bearing surface for the tablet computer, wherein each of the bearing surfaces defines a position of the tablet computer in which it is inclined at an acute angle to the setting-up surface, and wherein the tablet computer in the position defined by the first bearing surface is inclined at a greater angle to the setting-up surface than in the position defined by the second bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Esselte Leitz GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Arild Olsen, Kurt Leute, Ulrich Schneider
  • Patent number: 9484009
    Abstract: According to some embodiments a microphone stand base is provided. The microphone stand base may comprise a backer to couple a post and a bottom plate extending from the backer. The backer is coupled to the bottom plate such that the backer is flush with a plurality of edges of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Dennis Bethuy
  • Patent number: 9476229
    Abstract: A security strip or stick-on tab is attachable to the underneath of a very thin tablet or notebook device, with very little thickness added at the bottom of the device and not interfering with its resting on a flat surface. The strip or stick-on tab has a section protruding from underneath which becomes thickened and defines a standard security slot into which a lock with a cable are attachable to enable the cable to be irremovably attached to an immobile object, such as a chair or a desk, preventing theft of the secured device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Meir Avganim
  • Patent number: 9471099
    Abstract: A container, disposed on an external side surface of an apparatus housing, to contain a cable therein, includes a guide part to guide a cable extending from an interior of the apparatus housing. The guide part may be formed by extending downward from a part of the container to serve as a regulation part to regulate movement of the cable. The end of the regulation part may be further bent upward from a part of the container to support the cable from below. The guide part is further formed into a loading part to load the cable inside the container or further includes a divider. As such, the guide part may be formed into various shapes for effectively use an internal and external space of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 9463755
    Abstract: A license plate mount arrangement that includes a flexible and compliant license plate mount having an adhesive backing on the back surface thereof and a plurality of couplings accessible at the front surface thereof, the arrangement allowing for the mounting of a license plate to an exterior surface of a vehicle without drilling mounting holes in, or otherwise modifying the exterior surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Paul H. Kreft
  • Patent number: 9447916
    Abstract: A system for securing an air conditioning unit to a building without the need for any alteration and/or damage to the building itself. The system includes a cross bar, an air conditioning unit support, and a strut. The arrangement of the components results in the cross bar applying an outward force to an interior surface of the building and strut applying an inward force to an exterior surface of the building in response to the downward force exerted on the air conditioning unit support. The sum of the forces applied on the surfaces of the building are sufficient to secure the air conditioning unit to the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Nation Wide Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Darby, Jim Mann
  • Patent number: 9442349
    Abstract: This invention comprises a self-centering mechanism for retaining an object, a clamping device for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case, and means to integrate the devices in an adapter form. The structure of the self-centering mechanism allows for a compact device that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped objects. The clamping device allows for means to retain an electronic device or an electronic device in a case that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped electronic device. The self-centering mechanism and clamping device can also be integrated into the form of an adapter for various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CARSON OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Michelle Hyers
  • Patent number: 9439527
    Abstract: A hanger for hanging an article from a supporting surface is described. The hanger comprises a base body which includes a vertical axis which, when the base body is disposed on the supporting surface, extends substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface; a catch configured to catch a portion of a handbag for hanging therefrom; an arm connected at one end to the base body and at the other end to the catch, the arm operatively connected to the base body so as to swing about the vertical axis between a stowed position wherein the catch is disposed adjacent a perimeter of the base, and a deployed position wherein the catch is spaced from the base so that it hangs downwardly from the base to support the handbag below the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Global Shopping Network Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephane Kljajic
  • Patent number: 9440322
    Abstract: In an object positioning and fixing device that positions and fixes a work pallet on a base member: a reference seating surface is formed on the base member; a contacting surface is formed on the work pallet; fitting cylindrical portions of a plurality of reference members are fixed in a plurality of fitting holes in the base member; a plurality of annular engagement members are installed in the work pallet; each of the reference members has an engagement projection; a base end contacting surface of the base end of the engagement projection is brought into contact with the reference seating surface so as to set the height position of the engagement projection; and the annular engagement member engaged over the outside of the engagement projection is elastically deformed in the radially outward direction so that it tightly contacts against the tapered engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Cooperation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takai
  • Patent number: 9421861
    Abstract: A system and attendant structural components for incorporating an alternate fuel supply, such as of the type used in combination with a conventional distillate fuel, to power a heavy duty industrial vehicle, such as a mine haul dump truck. The system and attendant structure includes a mounting assembly structured for containment and support of the alternate fuel and a containment area disposed on the vehicle and structured and dimensioned to retain the mounting assembly therein. The containment area and the mounting assembly are disposed in laterally adjacent, exposed relation to an operator area of the mine haul truck, wherein the mounting assembly and the containment area are cooperatively disposed and structured to facilitate storage of the alternate fuel and operative communication and distribution thereof with the powering engine of the mine haul vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Gaseous Fuel Systems, Corp.
    Inventor: Jason Green
  • Patent number: 9421673
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises frame plates, lever arms, a linkage assembly, bridge arms, upper pad assemblies, and lower pad assemblies. The lever arms are operative to pivot relative to the frame plates. The linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame plates and to the lever arms. The bridge arms are pivotally coupled to the lever arms. The upper pad assemblies are pivotally coupled to the bridge arms. Lastly, the lower pad assemblies are pivotally coupled to the frame plates. Pivoting the lever arms in a first direction translates the upper pad assemblies towards the lower pad assemblies, and pivoting the lever arms in a second direction translates the upper pad assemblies away from the lower pad assemblies. Actuation of the linkage assembly is operative to cause the lever arms to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DAVIS AIRCRAFT PRODUCTS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Daniel F. Dunmire
  • Patent number: 9416912
    Abstract: One example of a wall mount with configurable stops to mount electronic equipment includes an enclosure housing to receive the electronic equipment and a pivot tube having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to a rear external surface of the electronic housing. A stop plate is attached to the second end of the pivot tube. The stop plate is configured to be mounted to a surface. The stop plate includes multiple stops to control a range of rotation of the enclosure housing on the pivot tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lilitab LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Rudolf Grziwok, Adam Scott Aronson
  • Patent number: 9402508
    Abstract: A ceramic cooker support frame and transport device for holding, loading and unloading a ceramic cooker, smoker, or grill having a egg, cylindrical or spherical shape which includes a cooker holding pivotal frame with a freely swinging cooker basket and a detachable hand truck in order to maintain the cooker in an upright position during the loading and storage positions. The hand truck includes a frame with wheels and a locking handle to maintain the desired spacing between the support surface and the cooker supported by the elevated platform. The truck or dolly frame and locking handle are detachable from the cooker holding frame. The cooker frame and hand truck assembly are configured to be easily moved onto an elevated platform, for example, the bed of a truck or an elevated floor such as a raised patio or deck floor. The transport device facilitates cooking food for transport to a serving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Terry D. Cothern
  • Patent number: 9402494
    Abstract: A device for organizing clothes in a closet having a clothes hanger rod is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a series of resilient ribs that are each shaped as an incomplete circle that terminates at a first end and a second end, wherein the ribs are aligned along an axis that intersects a center of each circle, each of the ribs has a space between it and an adjacent one of the ribs, each of the first ends is connected to an adjacent one of the first ends, and each of the second ends is connected to an adjacent one of the second ends, and the ribs are adapted to fit onto the rod, with the space between the ribs configured to allow a clothes hanger hook to hang directly on the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: M&S Products, LLC
    Inventor: Marcie O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9389490
    Abstract: A mounting device typically used for mounting line-of-site equipment, the mounting device including leg members that can fold into a trough like body of the mounting device, and further including a strap spool connected to an end portion of the mounting device. A strap on the strap spool can be unspooled and used to attach the mounting device to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Industrial Revolution, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Esarey, Stephen Padden, Lee Rawls
  • Patent number: 9387778
    Abstract: A longitudinal guide for vehicle seats, comprising a lower rail, an upper rail supported thereon to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction, wherein each upper rail and lower rail has an L-shaped region, if viewed in profile, formed by a base leg and an L-leg projecting from the base leg substantially perpendicularly, and two end regions respectively connected to the L-shaped region. Each elongate rail includes a first bearing area and a second bearing area for guiding means, which are biased to each other and formed by opposite end portions of the respective upper rail and portions of the associated lower rail. Embossments are formed at both ends of the base leg of the upper rail by cold work forming, with a smaller radius of curvature to effect higher stiffness of the longitudinal rail, particularly in event of a crash. Further embossments may be provided for an even higher stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Wolfgang Suck, Nick Röhnert, Karsten Hartleb, Andreas Prause, Bernd Griebel
  • Patent number: 9383039
    Abstract: A pipework brace comprising a first pipework engaging member and a second engaging member. A first tubular strut and a second tubular strut are provided and the first tubular strut is attached to the first and second engaging members by connectors located at each end of the first tubular strut. The second tubular strut is connected to the first and second engaging members by connectors located at each end of the second tubular strut. The connectors each comprise two clamp members that are arranged to allow multi-axis rotation so that each end of the strut may be moved in at least two planes relative to the pipe work engaging members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: AES Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Hirst, Neil Parkinson