Patents Examined by Erica B. Harris
  • Patent number: 6491267
    Abstract: A blow dryer holder for holding a hand held blow dryer having a stand as well as an opening for receiving at least a portion of the blow dryer and resilient fingers and a rest having a plurality of rest locations for a terminal end of the blow dryer handle. The stand preferably includes a base and an extension for raising the height of the blow dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Linda Feldman
  • Patent number: 6491170
    Abstract: A drying and organizing rack for kitchen utensils, flatware and china includes a support member comprised of a square lower platform having four leg members coupled therewith. The four leg members have lower ends\positionable on a recipient surface and upper ends disposed above the lower platform. At least two square trays are secured to the four leg members of the support member in a spaced relationship. The upper tray is defined by an open upper end, a lower end, and a peripheral side wall. The lower end has a drainage aperture therethrough. The open upper end has a plurality of compartments formed therein. The plurality of compartments dimensioned for receiving utensils, flatware, and china therein. The peripheral side wall has a plurality of cup hooks secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Florendo Madela
  • Patent number: 6491173
    Abstract: A system for organizing a closet which comprises one or more pairs of slide rail assemblies and an appropriate number of baskets for mounting therebetween. Each rail assembly having an elongate mounting rail having at least one surface constructed and arranged to engage a partition, and an elongate slide rail, the elongate slide rail having at least one inner surface constructed and arranged to slidingly engage the elongate mounting rail. The elongate slide rail has an outer surface with a plurality of basket engaging hooks extending therefrom. The baskets have a double rim construction with one rim constructed and arranged to allows the baskets to be removingly secured to the hooks. A second rim being compatible with a U-channel slide. The basket may also be equipped with a pair of cross members which could be used to allows the basket to be received onto a roller slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sidelines, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristine Costa
  • Patent number: 6484894
    Abstract: A merchandise display fixture for connection to an upright of a gondola display. The display fixture includes a cavity defined by a wall having front, rear, and side wall portions; and at least one mounting hook that extends from the rear portion of the wall. The display fixture is then mounted to a single upright of a gondola display such that the upright is located in a central location relative to the rear portion of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lindy Little Joe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald T. Kiffmeyer, Michael L. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6484888
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension mount has a fastener for attaching the mount to a preexisting structure and at least one extension defining a bicycle support extension. The bicycle support extension, moreover, threads through the spokes of a tire and provides for mounting of the bicycle that obviates need for having to precisely align part of the bicycle within or over the device for proper placement upon the suspension mount. A lock-loop is preferably provided on some embodiments of the suspension mount for locking the frame of the bicycle to the suspension mount for securely storing it in place following placement upon the suspension mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Jay R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6484453
    Abstract: A de-icer formed of a solid block of a pressed, granulated salt has at least a top portion water-proofed to prevent rapid deterioration due to precipitation. An exposed bottom surface is in contact with the upper surface of a flat, sloped roof to provide wicking absorption of water flowing down the roof into the salt. Absorption of water by the salt leads to release of the resulting saline solution to the surface of the roof, preventing formation of ice on the roof downstream of the de-icer and in the roof drain. The de-icer may be maintained in place on the surface of the roof by an adhesive tape, or by its own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Raymond L. Nocella
  • Patent number: 6474478
    Abstract: A security device is adapted to be locked to a display board, such as a pegboard or a slatboard, while displaying items of merchandise. The device includes a base that may be locked to the display board with a lock. The device further includes a rod adapted to extend from the base to carry items of merchandise. The lock of the device can only be opened with a key to prevent unauthorized removal of the device from the display board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Huehner, Robert J. Michael, Michael Jaeb, Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Todd H. Christian, Nicholas M. Sedon
  • Patent number: 6474483
    Abstract: A shelving system constructed from paper includes at least one column made from paper that is sufficiently rigid and strong to support an intended object, and at least one shelf supported by the column, which shelf includes a surface on which the intended object may be placed. The column and shelf may be constructed from a sheet of paper designed to be folded into the column and shelf respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Paper Solutions Ink, Corp.
    Inventors: Aldred W. Montoya, Larry J. Bonzoumet
  • Patent number: 6467636
    Abstract: A corner shelf is easily mountable on and removable from a pair of walls defining a corner and a corner apex joining the walls. The corner shelf has two mutually transverse sides and a shelf apex joining the sides. The shelf is configured and dimensioned exclusively for three point installation in a corner, and is characterized by (A) only a pair of laterally spaced openings disposed on one shelf side, and (B) only a single opening on the other shelf side. Each of the openings is substantially spaced from the shelf apex, and the openings are adapted to mount the shelf in the corner. Preferably a total of only three support members project inwardly from the corner walls, and each of the openings is configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive therein a portion of a respective support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: PGM, LLC
    Inventor: Markus V. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6467637
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for fabricating, and installing, a death care merchandising system and a method for displaying death care merchandise and a death care merchandising display system having low cost of fabrication in addition to ease of installation at the site of use. The death care merchandising system includes a slat wall, attached to a structural wall and vertically aligned or plumbed. From the slat wall, all further components may be hung. A provision of dividers can be used to delineate merchandise or categories of merchandise displayed within such merchandise display system and accessories, such as cornices, lighting, placards, shelving, retractable and extensible drawers, doors, and other sub units, such as cabinets, may be used in conjunction with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: The York Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Riga
  • Patent number: 6464089
    Abstract: A spring-driven pusher device for a forward, side, top, or up feeding merchandise dispenser having an adjustment mechanism for setting a desired pushing force. The adjustment mechanism is utilized to increase and/or reduce the tension of the windings of the coiled end of a spring or strip of coiled metal carried on the pusher device. The tension in the windings is increased if greater pushing force is desired, or decreased, if less pushing force is desired. Since the desired pushing force can be set, the same spring-driven pusher device can be utilized to feed various different products, regardless of size, shape, weight or surface texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alexander Rankin, VI
  • Patent number: 6460710
    Abstract: A wire shelving has a plurality of support surfaces stacked with rods one above the other, the support surfaces each have spaced longitudinal wires. A wire divider assembly is positionable by the user to any desired position along the wires to provide an end stopper to hold media upright. The divider assembly preferably has an M shape with a pair of long legs. Outwardly-facing C-shaped couplers are secured at the ends of the legs, each having an elongate slot generally perpendicular to its respective leg and disposed outwardly. To position the assembly on the desired support surface and at the desired place on the support surface, the user squeezes the legs towards one another, moves the assembly to the desired place and releases the legs so that the couplers expand out onto and engage onto the respective wires. To reposition the assembly, the user squeezes the legs to release the couplers from the wires and moves the assembly to the new position on the same or different support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Shahriar Dardashti
  • Patent number: 6460709
    Abstract: A storage device for storing and organizing various articles in interior corners includes a frame having first, second, and third sides, wherein the first and second sides are substantially perpendicular to one another, and the third side extends between respective distal ends of the first and second sides. The frame further includes one or more ribs extending between two of the first, second, and third sides to thereby define a plurality of open chambers in the interior space between the first, second, and third sides. In a particular embodiment, the frame is adapted to receive fasteners through the first and second sides to removably and horizontally attach the frame to respective adjacent walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Vertex International
    Inventor: Daniel P. Hurt
  • Patent number: 6457591
    Abstract: A multi-function display rack includes a base having four corners provided with four an upwardly extending stop blocks. A slot is formed between two adjacent stop blocks and a rectangular opening is formed at an intermediate portion of the base. The rack further includes a slider having two shoulders at two opposites sides thereof and a through hole, having a larger diameter at a lower portion thereof, formed at a central portion thereof. The slider being fitted in the rectangular opening with the shoulders bearing against the bottom side of the base thereby enabling the slider to move along the rectangular opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Funder Lee
  • Patent number: 6454108
    Abstract: A low-profile storage rack is provided for supporting and storing a plurality of containers. The rack includes a frame having a first longitudinal beam, a second longitudinal beam spaced from the first longitudinal beam, a first transverse beam connected to the first and second longitudinal beams, and a second transverse beam spaced from the first transverse beam and connected to the first and second longitudinal beams. Casters are positioned on an underside of the frame for moving the rack between storage and access positions. A plurality of sets of rods are located in an opening formed between the beams and extend between the longitudinal beams. A distance between adjacent sets of rods is less than a distance between adjacent rods of each set such that adjacent containers can be supported above a floor or other surface on adjacent sets of rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Geoffrey A. Gerard
  • Patent number: 6454107
    Abstract: A tray-shaped shipping and display container has a support surface for supporting items for display. A pusher member is mounted for sliding movement on the support surface, and is elastically biased in a forward direction so that it continually urges items forward in the container to replace items removed from the front of the container by customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Leon Belanger, Patricia Tumminia, Stacie Santomango, Dan Marinone
  • Patent number: 6446816
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securely storing a bicycle is provided. The apparatus has an elongate suspended mount having a distal end portion forming an open curved loop to receive a bicycle tire connected to a bicycle frame, a medial portion forming or connected to a closed loop to receive a locking device, and a proximal end portion connected to a fastener for suspending the mount from a ceiling or wall portion of a pre-existing structure. The closed loop preferably is positioned to be nearly or more than a quarter of, but substantially one half or less than, the length of the elongate suspended mount. The method aspects of the invention include suspending a bicycle from a pre-existing structure and securing the bicycle in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Jay R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6446914
    Abstract: A horizontally elongated wireway hanger of U-cross-section has an integral configuration of sections, i.e. tab and flange, which fit the wireway snugly and securely against a vertically elongated wireway downcomer of U-cross-section. Each U-cross-section is characterized by opposed walls connected by an intermediate saddle. The surfaces of the sections are free from each other, i.e. are not contiguous other than being integrally joined at certain edges. Along the saddle of the downcomer are a series of holes. Along the saddle of the hanger are a series of transverse slots. At least one tab lies in the geometrical plane of the forward wall of the hanger and includes a hole, which is registrable with a hole of selected height in the saddle of the downcomer and by which the hanger may be bolted to the downcomer. A series of parallel transverse slots in the saddle of the hanger is adapted to receive strapping by which a load of conduits may be secured to the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Samtan Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: George A. Laberis
  • Patent number: 6443320
    Abstract: A storage rack system, locking latch therefor, and combinations thereof. The latch having generally a flexible and resilient arm coupleable to a beam member and having a locking pin coupled thereto. The resilient arm biases the locking pin through a locking pin opening of the beam member so that the locking pin protrudes at least partially into a post opening aligned at least partially with the locking pin opening when the beam member is connected to the post by a headed lug. A locking flange extending generally radially from the locking pin is engageable with a portion of the beam member to inhibit withdrawal of the locking pin from the locking pin opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Herzog, Terrence P. Meier
  • Patent number: 6431373
    Abstract: An integrated support for tools utilizes both round and rectangularly shaped “U” socket tool support members that can be slidably mounted on a metal strip, and displaceable supports that can be mounted on a solidly shaped strip to provide an extended support with which the strip may be supported and stabilized. The extended support may be extruded, cut, or formed in any manner. It provides a body to which the strip may be attached, provides side surfaces that include recessed surfaces to facilitate grasping, and may optionally provide an extended area magnetic base, which works well with metal tool boxes to provide a measure of stability beyond its own weight. The support may actively provide accommodative support to a plurality of strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: John Blick