Patents Examined by Gerald A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6003447
    Abstract: A folding table (1) with a table top (5) and a pair of breakaway legs (15) supporting the top. A brace member (47) at each end of the table has a leg assembly (7,9) attached thereto. A top supporting beam (11) extends along the table top between the brace members. The support beam is pivotally mounted to the table top. Each leg assembly has a hinge structure (35) near its top end and a foot structure (24) at its bottom end. The hinge (35) allows the leg (15) to break down and fold inwardly against the table top. A pair of leg braces (81,83) are attached to the support beam and are moveable with the beam. Each leg brace is removably attached to a corresponding leg by a locking assembly (87). When the leg braces (81,83) are attached to the leg, they transfer downward force from the table top to the legs at a point below the hinges (35) to keep the legs in the unfolded position. The locking assembly (87) can be disengaged and the leg braces pivoted out of the way to allow the legs to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Falcon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis D. Cox, Steven J. Hill
  • Patent number: 6000768
    Abstract: An electronic device console is disclosed for small computers and similar electronic devices of the type that has a base and an upper assembly that raises when a unique latch is released to place computer devices such as printing, data storage and other devices mounted in the assembly into operating position. The upper assembly may be completely removed from the console without the use of tools, merely by rotating the assembly and unplugging electronic connectors. Inadvertent rotation and separation of the assembly from the console is prevented by interference between side covers and the pinion gear of a viscous motion damping element of the assembly until the side covers are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Nela Dials, Aubrey Lamond Hodges, Steven Richard Luglan
  • Patent number: 5997114
    Abstract: A non-interlock blocking element adapted for use with a furniture unit having a plurality of drawers, a vertical guide for receiving a vertical stack of blocking elements which are slidably mountable in the guide for vertical translation therein, and a wedge element associated with each of the drawers which is reciprocable into the stack of blocking elements to effect interlocking relationships among the drawers is provided. The non-interlock blocking element allows such furniture units which are adapted for use with interlocking mechanisms, to be configured as non-interlocking furniture units, or as partially interlocking furniture units. The non-interlock blocking elements are generally similar to standard interlock blocking elements, but include a recess which allows unobstructed reciprocation of a wedge element associated with a drawer when the recess is in horizontal alignment with the wedge element, whereby the drawer can be opened irrespective of whether another drawer is already opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Ralph Bischoff
  • Patent number: 5997118
    Abstract: Durable furniture articles include a desk having a desktop supported on an apron which is supported between opposed depending side panels. A modesty panel is also interconnected between the side panels and a carrel is disposable on the desk. A desk drawer is formed by a foldable bottom panel, opposed side panels and a rear wall, all of which include flanges which are weldable together at contiguous surfaces thereof. Lock hasps are disposed on the drawer bottom to cooperate with a reinforcing member of the apron to lock the drawer in a closed position, hidden from view and comprising parts which are not easily disassembled. A chest of drawers assembly is formed by a perimeter formed metal frame, opposed side panels, a shallow pan back wall, a top perimeter apron and a top panel member. A modular wardrobe unit or storage unit includes a sheet metal enclosure, opposed side panels and a formed sheet metal base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: KLN Steel Products Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Harrill McBrayer, William Henry Joiner, III
  • Patent number: 5996506
    Abstract: A rest room shelf for use in a public rest room includes a base for storage of a person's personal items and adjustable brackets which fit over a rest room stall wall for supporting the base. The brackets include first and second bracket members which when slidably secured together form a U-shape. The U-shaped bracket fits on top of the stall wall in the rest room and the U-shaped portion of the bracket may be widened or narrowed depending on the width of the stall wall for providing a secure fit of the bracket onto the stall wall. An alternative bracket may be used for installing the rest room shelf directly onto a wall in the rest room. At least one hook is attached to the base for providing additional storage space for a person using the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Justine Rose Woytovich
  • Patent number: 5997111
    Abstract: A dispensing container is provided which is capable of enclosing strip packages of medication while allowing relatively easy access for the dispensing of said medication. The dispensing container is dimensioned such that the dispensing unit is capable of being stored and transported within a drawer of a medication cart without necessitating substantial modification to the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: Richard B. Jensen, Jason R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5984439
    Abstract: A combined display and storage unit including a cubical base with four side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, each surrounded and supported by a framework and defining an enclosed storage space. One of the side walls is hinged to provide access to the storage space. Pieces may be supported and displayed on the outer surfaces of the four side walls, preferably by constructing the side walls of slatwall material. The framework surrounding the top wall provides a square recess for alternatively receiving a transparent display case, a wire book support and a merchandise tray. The base is preferably mounted on casters for free movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Croydon Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Orr, Donald Crispin, James Dokoupil
  • Patent number: 5983807
    Abstract: A lightweight, high strength folding table having a top assembly which includes a novel high strength, plastic reinforcing core. Pivotally connected to the top assembly are supporting legs. Interconnecting the supporting legs with the top assembly are novel folding leg mechanisms which include top assembly engaging links and leg engaging links pivotally connected both to the top assembly engaging links and also to the supporting legs. A locking rod extends between the top assembly engaging links, the end portion of which is slidably received within a slot formed in each of the leg engaging links. When the rod resides within the locking portion of the slot, the top assembly engaging links and the leg engaging links are locked against relative pivotal movement. However, when the locking rod is lifted slightly, the rod ends move into the channel portion of the slot permitting free pivotal movement of the cooperating links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Virco Mfg. Corporation
    Inventors: Matt Tarnay, Clifford Raab
  • Patent number: 5984441
    Abstract: A module is provided with a plane, tools can be fixed on both sides of the plane. The module can be positioned in either a coupled position in which the module is coupled to an adjacent module, or a hanging position in which the module is secured to a wall, the module includes a coupling device. The coupling device permits, when in the coupled position, multiple modules to be ordered in any sequence such that each of the multiple modules can pivot with respect to an adjacent module. The coupling device supports the separate module when the module is in the hanging position, the module is pivotable about an axis defined by a wall mounted holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Michiel Frederik Stokhuijzen
  • Patent number: 5980002
    Abstract: The storage system is for use with storage cases particularly of the type used to enclose compact disks, video tapes, cassette tapes and the like, however it may also be used to store any other type of storage case that is compatible with this type of storage. The storage system enables the user to store and maintain a large collection of cases, to add a new addition to the collection at any location within the collection without shuffling the collection, and to remove unneeded portions of the collection without leaving gaps in the storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Barry Arnold Crowe
  • Patent number: 5974984
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a table top (4) slidably and pivotally mounted on a column (2) the lower end of which is provided with a flange (3) fixing it to the floor of the conference hall. The table top (4) may be moved from a position (FIG. 2) in which it extends above and to one side of the column (2) to a position in which it lies parallel to the column (2) and adjacent the opposite side thereof. Levelling wedges (15) may be interposed between the flange (3) at the foot of the column (2) and a floor on which the column (2) is to be mounted to level the table top (4) when in its operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
  • Patent number: 5975657
    Abstract: The desk system of the present invention includes a core having a raceway, a first work top, which extends outwardly from one side of the core so as to define a first work station, and a second work top, which extends outwardly from an opposite side of the core so as to define a second work station positioned opposite the first work station. A supporting panel is mounted on the core between the first and second work stations. The supporting panel has a pair of sides, each of which includes a mounting mechanism for mounting a plurality of accessories therefrom in a cantilevered fashion substantially above the raceway. One side of the supporting panel faces the first work station such that accessories mounted therefrom extend towards the first work station, while the other side of the supporting panel faces the second work station such that accessories mounted therefrom extend toward the second work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: LaCour Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul M. LaCour
  • Patent number: 5975661
    Abstract: A refrigerator has French doors with vertically extending confronting side walls. At least one of the confronting side walls has a movable sealing gasketing member adapted to sealingly engage the other confronting side wall when the doors are in a closed position. The doors move between an open position and into the closed position through a temporary intermediate partially closed position. In the partially closed position the doors extend over the refrigerator compartment with temporary non-sealing vertically extending portions of the confronting side walls of the doors spaced apart from one another a predetermined gap distance. A first set of magnets are positioned in the doors at least along the temporary non-sealing vertically extending portions of the confronting side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Les Jeziorowski, Nedo Banicevic, Arnold Estravillo, Edward George Simmons
  • Patent number: 5975664
    Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet has a food storage compartment bounded by front facing vertical and horizontal walls. A pair of French doors are pivotally mounted to the refrigerator cabinet to close the open front of the refrigerator. In the closed position the doors have vertically extending confronting walls which include an intermediate sealing gasket extending along a major vertical portion of the confronting walls which are adapted to sealingly engage against each other to form a vertically extending seal. Upper and lower corner sealing gasket members are respectively positioned above and below the intermediate sealing gasket members and adjacent a corresponding horizontal wall of the cabinet. Each of the corner sealing gasket members has a first sealing surface adjacent the intermediate sealing gasket member to complete the vertical seal between the confronting walls of the doors when the doors are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Nedo Banicevic, Les A. Jeziorowski
  • Patent number: 5971505
    Abstract: An air conditioning unit is provided which includes an outdoor section, which has a condenser coil mounted therein and an outer protective housing partially enclosing the outdoor section. The housing has a substantially rectangular opening therein in overlying relation with the condenser coil. The opening is defined by at least two spaced parallel coplanar wall sections, each of which has a predetermined width. A flexible protective grille, which is configured to substantially cover the rectangular opening, has two edges thereof which are spaced from one another by a distance substantially equal to the spacing of the wall sections. Each of the edges have integrally formed therewith two or more narrow, rigid, spaced apart extensions, which project perpendicularly therefrom. Each of the narrow extensions has a length less than the predetermined width of the wall sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Victoriano Zamora
  • Patent number: 5967055
    Abstract: A scoring table for use at sporting includes a table top, a front section adapted to support the forward portion of the table top, and legs adapted to support the rear portion of the table top. The legs are formed with upper and lower leg members. Each lower leg member is hinged to the respective upper leg member for movement between (1) a first position aligned with and extending downwardly from the upper leg member for supporting the rear portion of the table top from the floor and (2) a second position extending upwardly from the hinge and generally adjacent the upper leg member to allow the upper leg members to support the rear portion of the table top from a generally horizontal surface which is at a height above the floor such as a bleacher seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Larry Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5964164
    Abstract: An improved adjustable monitor support assembly is provided that utilizes a plurality of interchangeable side support assemblies and monitor supporting shelf assemblies. Each such shelf assembly is engageable with each pair or side support assemblies. Thus, a particular pair of side support assemblies can be used with either a monitor supporting shelf subassembly structure for a conventional monitor or a monitor supporting shelf subassembly structure for a flat LCD type monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Nova Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John N. Lechman
  • Patent number: 5957553
    Abstract: A casing for audiovisual equipment presents an outer appearance giving the impression of integrating a hole area formed of a plurality of sound transmitting fine holes with the casing, thereby making the hole area unnoticeable. This allows a viewer to easily concentrate on the screen by eliminating anything noticeable and distributing from the area surrounding the screen, and also gives the outside of the casing a luxurious appearance. In order to make the hole area unnoticeable, maintain good volume and quality of sound from the speaker, and arrange the diameter .o slashed.d mm of the tapered fine holes to be practically the smallest, the relationship between the diameter .o slashed.d mm and the thickness T mm of the casing must be expressed by the following formula: (1/6).times.T mm.ltoreq..o slashed.d mm.ltoreq.0.5 mm. When the fine holes are formed to be straight, the relationship between the diameter .o slashed.ds mm and the thickness T mm of the casing must be expressed by the following formula: (1/5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiro Shikata, Tomio Shiota, Kaoru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5957557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system consisting of kitchen appliance housing units and/or kitchen units which can be stacked on top of each other and combined with each other. According to the present invention the housing units and/or kitchen units are all provided with a service channel in a predetermined and fixed location, through which service pipes and cables, for example, electricity, gas, water, waste water, run. The housing units and/or kitchen units all have a stacking support structure and are linked together by coupling elements which also allow them to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: bulthaup GmbH & Co. Kuchensysteme
    Inventors: Otto Langer, Thomas Haberl, Robert Heizinger
  • Patent number: 5957062
    Abstract: A folding table (1) with a table top (5) and a pair of breakaway legs (15) supporting the top. A brace member (47) at each end of the table has a leg assembly (7,9) attached thereto. A top supporting beam (11) extends along the table top between the brace members. The support beam is pivotally mounted to the table top. Each leg assembly has a hinge structure (35) near its top end and a foot structure (24) at its bottom end. The hinge (35) allows the leg (15) to break down and fold inwardly against the table top. A pair of leg braces (81,83) are attached to the support beam and are moveable with the beam. Each leg brace is removably attached to a corresponding leg by a locking assembly (87). When the leg braces (81,83) are attached to the leg, they transfer downward force from the table top to the legs at a point below the hinges (35) to keep the legs in the unfolded position. The locking assembly (87) can be disengaged and the leg braces pivoted out of the way to allow the legs to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Falcon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis D. Cox, Steven J. Hill