Patents Examined by Ernesto Garcia
  • Patent number: 7025335
    Abstract: A modular picket fence including a pair of vertical separated posts and adapted to be secured to a suitable support surface. A pair of horizontal upper and lower rails extend between and secured to the vertical posts. The upper rail has a plurality of apertures which are aligned with a plurality of apertures on the lower rail. A plurality of vertical pickets are respectively inserted through into aligned apertures of the upper and lower rails. The end portion of each vertical picket has two transverse apertures. A locking member is assembled inside each end portion of the vertical picket. The locking member has spring biased stoppers extending through the transverse apertures at the end portion of the vertical picket, and further extending into and engaging inside the horizontal rail when the end portion of the vertical picket is inserted into one of the apertures of the horizontal rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Alan Qing Zhu
  • Patent number: 6997496
    Abstract: A releasable connection is provided between two adjoining components, particularly body shell parts of a vehicle body. A releasable connection ensuring an exact positioning of the two parts as well as a fast and simple mounting is provided. The releasable connection includes at least one base plate which is held in position on a first body shell component and has at least one projecting pin. A receiving device is fastened to an opposite second body shell component and has a rotatable slotted sleeve part. An end-side profiled head section of the at least one pin is guidable through openings of the second component, of the receiving device and of the sleeve part. As a result of radial rotation of the sleeve part about an angle ?, a fastening of the first and second body shell components with respect to one another takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dimitar Danev
  • Patent number: 6997635
    Abstract: A latch structure for a mobile electronic device (1), for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) is disclosed. The latch structure comprises a side flange (20) of a cover (10) and a side panel (30). The side flange (20) includes a cantilever (200) and at least a first engaging portion (205). The cantilever has a slanted face (201) and a lock (203) on a free end thereof. The lock has a first ramp (207). The side panel detachably connects to the side flange and defines a hole (301). The side panel includes a second engaging portion (303) and a third engaging portion (305). The hole corresponds to the slanted face. The second engaging portion has a second ramp (307) corresponding to the first ramp of the lock. The lock engages with the second engaging portion in a first position and disengages from the second engaging portion in a second position. The first engaging portion engages with the third engaging portion in the first position and disengages from the third engaging portion in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: High Tech Computer, Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng-Ming Liu, Ching-Shih Chen
  • Patent number: 6997634
    Abstract: A folding joint arrangement, which is adapted for incorporating with a foldable furniture constructed by a plurality of first and second frame tubes, includes an angle joint body, a pivot arm integrally extended from the angle joint body to define a first axis, wherein the pivot arm is adapted for pivotally connecting with one of the first frame tube such that the first frame tube is capable of rotating about the first axis of the pivot arm, and a connector arm integrally extended from the angle joint body to define a second axis perpendicularly to the first axis wherein the connector arm is adapted for pivotally connecting with one of the second frame tube such that the second frame tube is capable of rotating about the second axis of the connector arm, so as to pivotally connect the first and second frame tubes in a two-plane directional movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Edward Zheng
  • Patent number: 6994326
    Abstract: A fence with hollow posts and rails uses a flexible plug that is placed in insect entry path blocking position by sliding the plug into a fence rail in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug. A friction fit between shoulders on the plug and a rib and ledge inside of the rail is attained by the relative spacing of the shoulders to the spacing of the rib and ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Tyson Fence Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Tyson
  • Patent number: 6974276
    Abstract: A connecting part for attachment on a mounting rail has a fastening part with an at least approximately rectangular cross-section. The fastening part has legs and surrounds when mounted a mounting rail on all sides by having a matching cross-section formed by the legs. The fastening part has clamping devices for effecting a clamping fixation of the connecting part on the mounting rail. A cross-sectional plane of the fastening part has two diagonally opposed corners and the clamping devices are arranged on the two diagonally opposed corners, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Halfen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Kirchner, Michael Binna, Beate Görtz, Andreas Hanke, Renate Neumann
  • Patent number: 6969050
    Abstract: A crowd control stanchions having an extendible tape in which a weighted pulley system rather than a spring mechanism is used to maintain tape tension when the tape is extended and to retract the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Hugh G Loebner
  • Patent number: 6926262
    Abstract: A barrier structure includes a continuous piece of elongated metal tape. The metal tape includes barbs spaced along an elongate body. Each of the barbs is connected securely to a barb root, and each barb root is connected securely to the elongate body. A first region of the elongate body is adjacent to each barb root, and a second region of the elongate body is adjacent to each first region distal from the barb root. A third region of the elongate body adjacent to each second region distal from the first region extends lengthwise from each second region and meets a corresponding third region that is extending lengthwise away from another second region. Each second region extends transversely and inwardly from the adjacent first region and the adjacent third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Michael V. Pavlov
  • Patent number: 6908250
    Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Wilbur Keith Moffatt
  • Patent number: 6905110
    Abstract: A modular railing system supports a plurality of rails in vertically-spaced configuration. The railing system includes a plurality of baluster units arranged between rail sets to support the rails. The baluster units include a plurality of rail supports grouped into double barrel support pairs or single barrel support pairs. The baluster units may include a short section of kick rail, and longer sections of kick rail may extend between adjacent baluster units. Also, additional rails may be joined to the modular railing system using baluster extensions or extender bars. A stair rail adjuster may be used, particularly when railing staircases, to permit adjustment of the relative vertical height of one end of a rail. To attach rails and balusters to stair treads, a finished-stair-tread adapter may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Alexander Brown
  • Patent number: 6869244
    Abstract: An improved articulated pin joint for a track chain used on track laying work machines is provided. The articulated pin joint includes a plug positioned in a central cavity of a track pin. The plug includes an axial passage in which a needle can be inserted to inject grease into the central cavity. The invention facilitates replenishing grease in the field without removing the track chain from the track laying work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Daniel D. Angot, Steve L. Arianoutsos, J. Christopher Barnes, David G. Kupper
  • Patent number: 6863265
    Abstract: A security cover is used in conjunction with a visually pleasing picket fence barrier. The security cover, having a C-shaped cross section, restricts access to bolts used to couple each picket to top and bottom support beams and thereby prevents tampering with the fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Safeguards Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Haim Perry, Bruce Cochrane
  • Patent number: 6860670
    Abstract: The end connector assembly (12) for a gas spring (44) enables the connector body to be connected with and disconnected from a ball (14) on the end of a ball stud (16) by relatively moving the connector body (26) and ball along a path generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gas spring (44) to which the connector body (26) is connected. The ball (14) enters the connector body (26) through an opening (32) in the body's front surface, that is, the surface generally perpendicular to the gas spring's longitudinal axis. A slot in the body's bottom surface, that is, the surface facing the ball (14), accommodates the shaft portion (22) of the ball stud (16), adjacent the ball (14), as the ball moves into or out of the connector body (26) through the opening (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: AVM, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 6854921
    Abstract: A self locking fastener system is disclosed for light-weight ballistic resistant applications. The fastener system includes a ballistic resistant cap nut with an integral shoulder. The shoulder is formed onto the mating surface of the cap nut and is keyed to lock with a cut-out in a structural member to which the fastener system is secured. In a commercial aircraft, the cap nut is located on the passenger cabin side of the ballistic resistant flight deck door and prevents tampering therewith that might otherwise lead to disassembly or damage to the fastener system and degrade the ballistic resistance of the door assembly. Thus provided, the fastener system is resistant to removal by manipulation of the cap nut as well as damage from ballistic projectiles. The shoulder of the cap nut increases the shear area of the fastener along the plane of the mating surface thereby enhancing the fastener's resistance to shear loading. The cap nut is constructed of titanium or stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David S. Melberg, James J. Kunda
  • Patent number: 6851660
    Abstract: A landscape timber anchoring system uses a series of posts that each having openings that receive an end of a landscape timber. Pairs of posts are located in spaced apart fashion and the ends of the timbers are received within respective openings on the posts. Additional openings can be located above the initial openings to receive additional timbers in stacked fashion. Further openings can be disposed on the posts in an orientation that is different relative to the orientation of the first openings to receive an end of additional timbers with the opposing end of such timbers received within appropriate openings located on additional posts. Planks can be received within slits located on the posts in lieu of or in addition to the timbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Cravatt
  • Patent number: 6840700
    Abstract: The invention relates to connecting elements for mechanically connecting constructive elements (2, 3). It is proposed to use an elastically deformable tensioning element (10), comprising a spring material consisting of a superelastic shape memory alloy, in particular a nickel-titanium alloy, elastically expanded in the tensioning element (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: G. RAU GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Nusskern, Viktor Dahm
  • Patent number: 6840703
    Abstract: The ball anchoring device consists of a lock body (10) comprising an annular wall (14) featuring radial holes (15) to accommodate radially mobile balls (16), and a locking piston (20) that slides axially within the body bore between a released position and a locked position. The lock body (10) is inserted into a first hole (7) made in the surface of the first part (55) and into a second hole (8) made in the surface of the second part, the two holes being more or less coaxial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6840697
    Abstract: Ball-and-socket joint includes a joint housing (1) and a ball head (2) with a ball pivot (3). A bearing shell (4) is disposed between the ball head (2), the joint housing (1), and a housing cover (5). A compressive force is produced between the housing cover (5) and at least a portion of the bearing shell (4). The compressive force acts in an axial direction of the ball pivot (3). The compressive force permanently acts on the portion of the bearing shell (4) and presses the portion of the bearing shell (4) into a gap between the ball head (2) and the joint housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Fahrwerksysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Dorr
  • Patent number: 6811145
    Abstract: A barrier such as a fence is formed by welding conductive upright members to conductive U-shaped rails by a projection resistance welding process. The rail includes at least one weld-forming region which projects within the rail channel, and may be formed wither as a ridge, or as a longitudinally spaced series of nipple-shaped projections. The upright member is transversely positioned within the rail channel in contact with the weld-forming region. A welding current transmitted between the upright member and the rail causes the weld-forming region to at least partially melt and form a weld within the rail channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventors: Edward L. Gibbs, Fred L. Givens, Gary W. Vonnahme
  • Patent number: 6802666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing connecting element, a sealing end piece and a seal. In practice different seals are known which are produced as three dimensional structures and then given to the customer. The production, wherein profile strips are ready-made by cutting and adhesion to form the three dimensional structures or wherein the three dimensional structure is obtained by means of corner injection molding, is very costly. In order to simplify the production of seals, it is provided in accordance with the invention that sealing connecting elements and/or sealing end pieces are to be produced as separate molded parts made of a thermoplastic elastomer and these molded parts to be connected, shortly before the installation of a seal, to sealing profile strips to form a complete seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Josef Bormann, Gero Wedderkopf