Patents Examined by Erica B. Harris
  • Patent number: 6581787
    Abstract: A modular system is provided for mounting a gravity feed dispenser that allows one or more fixtures to be mounted in front of, and in working relationship with, the dispenser. The gravity feed dispenser is mounted on a support structure in such a way that other fixtures such shelving, hangers, rods, or other storage and display fixtures can be mounted in front of the dispenser in a number of different configurations. A workstation featuring one or more gravity feed dispensers is provided by mounting a work area and shelves in front of and in working relationship with the dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Ricklef E. Barrett, Martin L. De Land
  • Patent number: 6574937
    Abstract: A clean room which uses a perforated floor upon which equipment can be directly placed is presented. The perforated floor includes a regular array of openings through which air can pass to an underlying facility room. The openings are covered by a grate through which the air can pass. In combination the perforated floor and the grates are able to support equipment in any location thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: SpeedFam-IPEC Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Rapisarda, Timothy Colley
  • Patent number: 6575312
    Abstract: An elongated support member having upraised attachment plugs for threadably yet removably receiving various types of garden hose attachments thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, Burt D. Imeson, David W. Imeson
  • Patent number: 6571969
    Abstract: A merchandise display case has several trays, each installed to pivot freely about first hinge pins at two opposite sides on uprights to form a deformable parallelepiped with these uprights. Second pivot hinge pins mount the uprights on a frame. The second hinge pins of at least one pair of articulated uprights at opposite ends close to the same longitudinal side of the trays are fixed to a structure that can slide vertically with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Larbaletier S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Larbaletier
  • Patent number: 6568543
    Abstract: A bookend that is formed from a single piece of sheet metal that is folded into a base, an upright, and a brace that has a free end. The single piece of sheet metal has a pair of edges and a fold line. The fold line and one edge form the base therebetween and the fold line and the other edge form the upright therebetween. The upright is maintained upright relative to the base by the brace. The base is divided into an outer base and an inner base. The inner base is cut out of the outer base and is coplanar therewith when folded outwardly therefrom. The upright is maintained vertical relative to the base when the brace is folded diagonally outwardly from the upright and the free end of the brace is affixed to the inner base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Wallace Schneider
  • Patent number: 6564951
    Abstract: A storage and display system may include one or more stackable and alignable storage frames, each storage frame including one or more storage tracks. A movable display frame that may pivot may be used to align a display track with one of the storage tracks to accept an item stored thereon. The display track may be lowered or pivoted to properly display the item, motion of the display frame and track may be controlled by computer. The display frame and track may also be used to load and unload the storage tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: James Hatami
  • Patent number: 6547088
    Abstract: A combination type support rack structure includes multiple upright support posts, multiple separation boards mounted between the support posts, and multiple support and securing devices mounted on the support posts for supporting and securing the separation boards. Each face of each of the support posts is formed with at least one insertion groove. Each of the support and securing devices includes an insertion block received in the insertion groove, an ear seat protruded outward from one side of the insertion block, and a plate block pivotally mounted on the ear seat in an eccentric manner. Thus, the combination type support rack structure may be assembled easily and quickly, without having to use screws or tools, thereby saving time and manual work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Lan-Fen Wang
  • Patent number: 6547087
    Abstract: A storage structure includes generally rectangular panels arranged in at least one group of panels that are vertically oriented and each hinged about a respective hinge pin to a common connecting structure to pivot between two limit orientations. Each end panel has, on its bottom horizontal edge, a support wheel, which rolls on the floor to support the panel cantilever-fashion. Each panel can carry objects, such as works of art, that can be observed from a sufficient distance in a storeroom. Both faces of each panel are accessible and can be used to fix objects, which maximizes the available storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Feralp, societe anonyme
    Inventor: Henri Accatino
  • Patent number: 6530491
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting and displaying agricultural produce and sporting equipment are provided for forming decorative seasonal and sport related characters. An elongated rod serves as the vertical support for the produce and equipment. For outdoor use the rod can be secured directly into the ground or secured to a stand that is placed on the ground. The stand further allows the apparatus to be used indoors. In use, produce or equipment is either threaded onto the rod, after opposing holes are cut into the produce or equipment, or adjustable ring platforms can be positioned on the rod so that the platforms extend generally perpendicularly from the rod to support the produce or equipment in a vertical manner. An arm platform is provided that can be adjustably secured to the rod and positioned to form the character's arms. The platform is adapted to hold additional produce or equipment as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Joey R. Brehmer, Jamie C. Brehmer
  • Patent number: 6523703
    Abstract: A pusher apparatus pushes articles on a shelf in a display case forward when the front article is removed. The pusher apparatus has a partition panel dividing the shelf into first and second segments. The partition panel has front and rear end portions, first and second top rails, and first and second bottom rails. A first pusher panel has a top channel riding on the first top rail and a bottom channel riding on the first bottom rail, and a second pusher panel has a top channel riding on the second top rail and a bottom channel riding on the second bottom rail. A first coil spring has one end portion fastened to the front end portion of the partition panel and has the other end portion in contact with the first pusher panel. The first spring coils to move the first pusher panel from the rear end portion of the partition panel toward the front end portion of the partition panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Display Industries, LLC.
    Inventor: James D. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6520350
    Abstract: A storage system for organizing and storing a multitude of small items in a space efficient manner. The storage system includes a main member having a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a back face and a pair of end faces as well as a plurality of slots extending from the front face towards the back face such that the slots extend substantially parallel to the bottom face; at least one mounting assembly is coupled to the main member such that the main member is designed for mounting to a surface; and a plurality of containers, each designed for storing items and for inserting into one of the slots of the main member such that the containers are supported under the main member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Paul R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6520354
    Abstract: The wire chafing stand of the present invention includes a rim of wire steel in a substantially rectangular configuration, lateral sides and a longitudinal axis extending from the lateral sides, at least two wire legs and a wire connecting assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the wire stand has only two wire legs lying in planes transverse to the longitudinal axis with each wire leg having two upright sections affixed to the longitudinal side of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Skvorecz
  • Patent number: 6520352
    Abstract: A multi-level support stand (10) including an enlarged base member (20) having a central aperture (21) that is dimensioned to receive the closed lower end (31) of an elongated cylindrical support member (30) having an open end (32) and an interior receptacle (33); wherein, the elongated cylindrical support member (30) is dimensioned to be received through central apertures (42) formed in a plurality of support tray members (40) (40′) (40″) each having an upper surface provided with a plurality of recesses (43) and downwardly depending stem elements (41) which vertically space the support tray members (40) (40′) etc., from the base member (20) and each other in a rotatable relationship with the cylindrical support member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: Anna L. Mondragon, Perez Mondragon
  • Patent number: 6516958
    Abstract: A shelf system (15) comprising a vertical support (16), a horizontal support (18) and a shelf (25), the vertical support, the horizontal support and the shelf being so configured and arranged that the shelf may be selectively positioned at different locations along the horizontal support. The vertical support may comprise a first vertical member (19), a second vertical member (20) and a base (23). The horizontal support may comprise a first horizontal member (21), a second horizontal member (22) oriented parallel to the first horizontal member, the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member defining a gap (24) between them. The shelf may comprise a first top member (26) and a second member (28) extending perpendicular to the first top member. The second member may be so configured and arranged as to fit in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Wlodzimierz Miroslow Tyski
  • Patent number: 6510952
    Abstract: A device for storing recording media includes an element for storing recorded media and decorative accessories. The device has an amusing appearance providing it with a toy-like aspect, and has a substantially rectangular housing having the width of the media to be stored, at the back of which cells are provided for receiving the recording media, which are, at least partly, embedded so as to be partly protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Via Marques
    Inventor: Paul-Henri Robert
  • Patent number: 6508368
    Abstract: A system for removably securing kitchen utensils over a kitchen sink comprises a generally planar board for cutting with a rotatable spit and an elongated frame with a recess for receiving removably securable kitchen utensils, including the generally planar board for cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Arcadio Arce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6505746
    Abstract: A multiple cooking utensil rest which includes a base with a recess therein for receiving a container. The container is provided with a grate allowing for drainage and support for the lower portion of utensils. Preferably the grate and the container are removable from the base for ease of cleaning. The upper portion of the utensils is supported by an elongated “C” shaped member, horizontally positioned and mounted to an upper end of vertical supports mounted to the base, providing upright positioning for multiple utensils during food preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Annette P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6502708
    Abstract: A storage unit assembly kit comprising only two types of rectangular panel pieces are repetitively interlocked to form a storage array for miniature toys. The first type of panel piece includes enlargements at each corner pierced by a first and second aperture extending completely across the plane of the panel. The second type of panel piece, in turn, includes a first and second set of posts extending laterally in the panel plane for insertion in the respective ones of the apertures. The second type of panel piece may also include a bounding barrier generally dimensioned to receive and confine the toy therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Susan W. Daniel
  • Patent number: 6494224
    Abstract: A collapsible structure has a base panel that includes separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The structure also includes first and second loops, each loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation. The first side of the base panel is coupled to the first loop, and the second side of the base panel is coupled to the second loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6494328
    Abstract: A modular system is provided for mounting a gravity feed dispenser that allows one or more fixtures to be mounted in front of, and in working relationship with, the dispenser. The gravity feed dispenser is mounted on a support structure in such a way that other fixtures such as shelving, hangers, rods, or other storage and display fixtures can be mounted in front of the dispenser in a number of different configurations. A workstation featuring one or more gravity feed dispensers is provided by mounting a work area and shelves in front of and in working relationship with the dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Ricklef E. Barrett, Martin L. De Land