Patents Examined by Eret McNichols
  • Flag holder
    Patent number: 9378666
    Abstract: A flag holder designed to be mounted on a post is made of a collar adapted to hold at least one and preferably several dowels. The collar includes a center arm and two substantially parallel side arms connected to the center arm in substantially perpendicular format to form a shaped band for encircling a post. The collar also includes a pair of gripping ears extending inwardly from the second ends of the parallel side arms. Thus, the collar surrounds a central cavity for receiving the post. The collar further includes at least one dowel and preferably more channel forms on the outer surface of the collar, wherein the dowel channel forms include at least one dowel channel for receiving a dowel holding a flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Keith A. Woodruff
  • Bi-directional tilt mechanisms and methods
    Patent number: 9371955
    Abstract: A tilt mechanism for an electronic display including a torsion spring, the torsion spring providing a spring torque to balance a monitor torque due to weight of the monitor. The tilt mechanism allowing an electronic display to be positioned at a variety of tilt angles within a range of tilt angles. Such a tilt mechanism allowing an electronic display to be positioned at positive and negative tilt angles within the range of tilt angles. Methods of using a tilt mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao long Fu, Shaun C. Lindblad
  • Beach cup and accessory holder
    Patent number: 9357829
    Abstract: A ground insertable holder has a first compartment that has a cylindrical inner space that holds a typical beverage container and a second compartment that holds various accessories, such as cell phones, snacks, etc. The device is ground secured by screwing the device into the ground via a screw that extends downwardly from the bottom of the device. An optional second beverage container holder can be removably attached to a mount located on the bottom of the device. The second compartment may be unitary and possibly monolithic with the first compartment or may be removably attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: Deanna Lynn Ikier, Tracey Perry Chastain
  • Photographic and video mounting plate with deployable attachment point
    Patent number: 9360739
    Abstract: A mounting plate for securing a photographic and video device to a stabilizing element. The mounting plate is affixed to the device using a fastener and includes a deployable attachment member movable between a retained position and deployed position. In the retained position, the mount is usable and attachable to a stabilizing element. In the deployed position, the mount is attachable to a strap or similar element using the attachment member. The device allows a user to easily and quickly affix the mount to both a strap and a stabilizing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: David Fliger, Lynn Fliger
  • Cleaning apparatus holder
    Patent number: 9357891
    Abstract: A holder for securing a cleaning apparatus in an upright position and comprised of a base plate, an upright arm, and a hinge for securing the upright arm to a top surface of the base plate. A top end of the upright arm is for engagement with a bracket on the cleaning apparatus. The base plate preferable also has a resilient pad on an under surface to assist in maintaining the base plate stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Richard C. Chappel
  • Strut clamp
    Patent number: 9347589
    Abstract: A method for applying a clamp for a construction strut that allows a pipe to be clamped to the construction strut in which the clamp has a fastener that is not exposed above the clamp curvature and in which the fastener head is easily accessible. Also the clamp has a retaining tab and a neck portion such that it can be installed by straight-in insertion at the top of a construction strut. Also, the method has an embodiment in that the clamp can be installed either on the open side of the construction strut or on the closed side using slots in the closed side by straight-in passing the retaining tab past the inturned flanges on the top of the construction strut and by a rotation at the bottom of the construction strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Kwang Oh
  • Piñata pole support assembly
    Patent number: 9345941
    Abstract: The piñata pole support assembly is a structure that holds a piñata in place during celebrations. The piñata pole support assembly comprises a stand, vertical pole, top pole, brace, pulley, ground post, rope hook, stick holder, and a plurality of hold down pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel Celedon, Linda Celedon
  • Torque Tube Mounted Photovoltaic Apparatus, System, and Method
    Patent number: 9347691
    Abstract: An interlocking system for connecting photovoltaic module frames to a torque tube, including: (a) an interlock dimensioned to be positioned between the sides of two adjacent photovoltaic module frames; (b) a pair of couplings or flanges, wherein the couplings or flanges connect the interlock to both of the adjacent photovoltaic module frames; and (c) a U-lock connected to the interlock, wherein the U-lock is dimensioned to be connected to a torque tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, David Molina, Brian Atchley
  • Removable hanging device
    Patent number: 9345343
    Abstract: A removable hanging device configured to be retained within one of a lattice fence and a chain-link fence is disclosed, wherein the hanging device includes a retaining element having a substantially square cross-section configured to be received in a square opening formed in a fence, a hanger body configured to allow an article to be supported thereby, and a shaft connecting the retaining element to the hanger body. The retaining element is aligned with and extended through the square opening of the fence prior to being rotated to orient a top surface of the hanger body parallel to a ground surface. The rotation of the hanging device causes the retaining element to be oriented at 45° with respect to the square opening, causing the retaining element to be secured within the fence as the retaining element is unable to be removed from the square opening without first rotating the hanging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Robert A. Sobb
  • Electronic device with support
    Patent number: 9338902
    Abstract: An electronic device with supporting structure includes a connection member, a back shell, two first fixing portions, and two second fixing portions. The connection member is attached to the supporting structure and defines two connection holes. Each connection hole includes a first through hole and a second through hole. A diameter of the second through hole is greater than that of the first through hole. The two first fixing portions are protruding from the back shell and are slidable between the second through holes and the first through holes. The two second fixing portions are attached to the two first fixing portions and can pass through the two second through holes. The connection member can prevent the two second fixing portions passing through the first through holes when the first fixing portions slide to the first through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mei-Hua Liu, Te-Hsu Wang, Chih-Kang Cho, Chun Liu
  • Conduit hanger
    Patent number: 9334981
    Abstract: The hanger member for supporting a conduit or bundle of wires is provided as a one piece unitary member. The hanger member has a planar first leg with an open recess extending inwardly from a first side edge of the first leg and a second leg coupled to the first leg along adjoining top edges defined by a fold line. The second leg has an open recess from a second side edge where the open recess is aligned with the open recess in the first leg to define a conduit passage. The bottom portion of the first leg and the bottom portion of the second leg are spaced apart a distance for connecting to the conduit. The top portions of the first leg and second leg are superimposed and continuous with each other for attaching directly to a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Krzysztof W. Korcz, Steven J. Johnson
  • Pallet system for cable-enabled loading
    Patent number: 9327868
    Abstract: A novel pallet construction includes a rigid pallet body including a linear conduit passing through the pallet between opposing sides of the pallet and open at the ends of the conduit. The conduit includes a removable lining to prevent destruction of the pallet and conduit during use. In alternative configurations, two offset conduits may be provided to accommodate other hardware and use constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Marquis, Gary Marquis
  • Strut hanger
    Patent number: 9322169
    Abstract: Technology is provided for a strut hanger for connecting a strut to a hanger rod includes a hook portion configured to engage the exterior surface of the hanger rod, a lever portion, a fulcrum disposed between the hook portion and lever portion, and a strut tab extending from the lever portion and configured to engage a strut. Load placed on the strut tab causes the lever portion to act against the fulcrum to force the hook portion against the hanger rod, thereby supporting the strut from the hanger rods without fasteners attached to the hanging rods. The strut hanger can include a clip extending from the lever portion to engage the hanger rod and maintain a minimum load on the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Marco Magarelli, Scott C. Wiley
  • Large capacity gusseted tube and traffic control assembly comprising same
    Patent number: 9322536
    Abstract: A support tube assembly for use in mounting traffic signals and other traffic control devices. The tube has a standard 1.9 inch outer diameter with a wider three-quarter inch access slot and a larger internal volume to accommodate five-eighth inch conductors. The support tube assembly may include a secondary mounting assembly for attaching a second traffic control device. The secondary mounting assembly includes a mounting strip that fits inside the access slot and a mounting plate that attaches to the strip. Each edge of the access slot has a contoured profile that mates with the corresponding side on the mounting strip so, when the secondary mounting assembly is attached to the tube, the edges of the access slot are gripped between the back of the mounting plate and the inner mounting strip. A cut-to-fit vinyl closure strip is included to enclose the exposed sections of the access slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: PELCO PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Parduhn, Kennith E. George, Derric K. Drake
  • Panel arrangement with clamping clip
    Patent number: 9316416
    Abstract: A device for fastening panel-shaped mats, in particular flexible photovoltaic solar panels, to a supporting structure, has at least one clamping clip (10) in the shape of a section of a plastic profiled body. The clip has opposing profiled limbs (12, 14) forming a clamping space (18) for a holding region (8) of the mat received in it. In the clamping space, the profiled limbs (12, 14) rest with a resilient clamping force against the upper face and the lower face of the holding region (8). The profiled limb (14), which in the clamped state rests against the lower face of the holding region (8) facing the supporting structure, forms a fixing surface (26) on its outer face provided with a connecting element (30) for attaching to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GOTTLIEB BINDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Konstantinos Poulakis
  • Cable fastening device
    Patent number: 9310013
    Abstract: A cable fastening device comprising at least one connecting piece for fastening a cable to a fastening surface, and at least one binding lug protruding out of the outer surface of the connecting piece, by intermediation of which binding lug one or several cables are fastened to the fastening device, wherein the fastening device comprises a vibration attenuating material layer arranged in between the connecting piece and the fastening surface for the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Raimo A. Komaro, Kim Komaro
  • Pipe mounting unit with grounding function
    Patent number: 9297479
    Abstract: A pipe mounting unit with grounding function, which includes a pipe holding section and a body fixing section, is formed by superposing a lid to a conductive plastic housing, between which there is disposed a conductive rubber clamp that holds a pipe in contact. In the space of the fixing section; a metal clip hooks together with a stud bolt on the housing; the metal clip has a current conducting plate that presses on the threading of the stud bolt, and the tip of the current conducting plate forming an angle to a radial direction of, and contacting the stud bolt, and is arranged such that its length extends beyond the threading of the stud bolt in an axial direction of the stud bolt. A conductive path is formed among the conductive rubber clamp, the conductive plastic housing and the current conducting plate of the metal clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kato
  • Washing machine suspension ball support
    Patent number: 9297104
    Abstract: A ball support for a suspension rod in top loading washing machines includes a main body, a support segment and a hook capture head for securing the hooked end of the rod between spaced bars of the cylindrical rod support. Attaching and detaching the ball support from the rod requires inversion of the parts relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chong B. Wong, Michael W. Davis
  • Optical element holder and optical pickup provided with same
    Patent number: 9299383
    Abstract: An optical element holder comprises a placement face on which an optical element is placed, the placement face obtained using one face of a sheet of metal; a positioning wall used for positioning the optical element placed on the placement face, the positioning wall being a stepped portion obtained by folding of the sheet of metal; and a spring section, which is a portion obtained by further folding of part of the portion folded over in order to obtain the positioning wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nishidate
  • Tissue roll-handling clamp
    Patent number: 9290367
    Abstract: A tissue roll handling clamp, mountable on a vehicle such as a lift truck, has elongate, substantially equal-length, thin clamp arms with opposed tissue-engagement clamping surfaces. The clamp arms are capable of movement in unison by a frame assembly to alternative positions where the clamp arms extend longitudinally from the frame assembly selectively in either substantially horizontal or substantially vertical directions of extension. The frame assembly is capable of maintaining the respective clamping surfaces at substantially equal elevations to each other during such movement to substantially equalize the distribution of the weight of a clamped tissue roll between the opposed tissue-engagement clamping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Lyda