Patents Examined by Gerald A. Anderson
-
Patent number: 5860717Abstract: A drawer stop device, for use in combination with a sliding drawer mounted in a cabinet behind a front door vertically hinged to one lateral side of the cabinet, has a mounting portion which is mounted to a portion adjacent to a vertical front edge of the drawer, a bearing portion having a bearing flange which projects perpendicularly from the mounting portion, and a roller element rotatably mounted on an end of the bearing flange such that it can make rolling contact with the door ahead of the vertical front edge when the drawer is slid out from the cabinet. This prevents the front edges of the drawer from bumping against and scratching the inside surface of the door.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Inventor: Shalom Mizrahi
-
Patent number: 5860367Abstract: A portable table for cleaning fish, fowl, and other game. A one-piece molded work tray is mounted on foldable legs and includes a molded-in holding area, a molded-in fillet bowl, a cut-out opening into a trash bag, a recess with a knife and bag storage area covered by a removable cutting board, a guttering system for leading waste from the work surface or the storage area into the trash bag opening, and an apron extending from the guttering system into the trash bag opening to facilitate guiding waste into the trash bag. Slotted knobs are disposed about the trash bag opening to assist in the attachment of the trash bag. The foldable legs of preferably scissors type folding legs with a center brace and chain support. The work tray rest on the top of the unfolded legs. The rim of the work tray contains diagonal cutouts for the legs to pass through so that the folded legs may be stored inside the work tray.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: R&B Outdoor Products, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Riegel, Jason D. Bartlett
-
Patent number: 5857416Abstract: A plastic molded pallet includes a corrugated deck providing structural rigidity to the pallet and forming channels for directing leaking fluid away from drums. The pallet also includes a plurality of troughs for selectively collecting the leaking fluid from the channels. Corner troughs flush with the channels collect the leaking fluid from any channel having the fluid. If a corner trough overflows, mid-section troughs on each side of the corner trough begin to collect the overflowing fluid after the overflowing fluid reaches over the mid-section trough dam. If both mid-section troughs are filled, the leaking fluid then proceeds to the next adjacent corner trough, during which time the leaking drum can still be identified based upon the leakage pattern. After all corner and mid-section troughs are filled, the fluid begins collecting in a center trough. The corrugations in the deck isolate the leaking fluid from the drums, and provide concentric surfaces for supporting different-sized drums.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Polymerpallet Corp.Inventors: Emerson B. Donnell, Jr., Didier Winkelmann
-
Patent number: 5845589Abstract: Folding table leg system for positive locking of a table leg in a down and locked position or for positive locking of a table leg in an up and locked position, where a spring loaded lever operated pawl automatically engages an extruded rotatable block member to achieve either an uplocked or downlocked position. A secondary safety lock is also provided. An alternate embodiment provides for a folding table leg system having a minimum of structural components which features primary tangential and wedge locking and secondary locking for massive load or violent shock load occurrence.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Inventor: Joel W. Pfister
-
Patent number: 5842759Abstract: A device (10) for adjustably fitting a drawer runner on a furniture unit, comprises a first plate (11) with fastening means (12) for securing it to the furniture unit, and a second plate (13) with fastening means (14) for securing it to the runner. The two plates comprise guides (17, 18) for reciprocal sliding constraint. An eccentric cam (20) is received in a first slot (19) in a plate and has a pivot (22) which is received in a second slot (21) in the other plate, thereby achieving the reciprocal sliding of the two plates parallelly to the guides constraining the manual rotation of the cam. The plate with the second slot (21) has a slanted plane (23) which extends in the sliding direction of the constraining guides (17, 18) and towards the second slot (21) to constitute sliding surfaces for the pivot (22) during the assembly of the two plates by reciprocal sliding along the constraining guides until the end of the pivot snaps into the second slot (21).Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Franco FerrariInventors: Franco Ferrari, Carlo Migli
-
Patent number: 5842760Abstract: A structure insulated for example by expanded polyurethane or the like, such as a refrigerator cabinet or freezer cabinet, comprises a plurality of compartments separated from each other by an interspace, the insulating material injected into said structure enclosing said compartments on all sides except the access side and positioning itself in the interspace. At opposing ends of said interspace there are positioned separator means openable in the manner of an envelope and arranged to separate, during its injection into the structure, the insulating material directed around the compartments from that directed into the interspace, said separator means comprising a flat portion parallel to the sides of the insulated structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Gatti, Fiorenzo Casoli, Giulio Caprioli, Roberto De Santi
-
Patent number: 5832840Abstract: The present invention relates to a tilt adjustable mousing surface mounting bracket. This mounting bracket operates between a primary work surface and a secondary work surface. The adjustable bracket includes a mounting section which is associated with the secondary work surface. The mounting section is pivotally associated with a pivot joint which is in turn mounted on the primary work surface. The pivot joint allows for both pivotal movement and tilting movement of the secondary work surface. In addition, the bracket includes a means for securing the pivot joint against movement whereby the secondary work surface can be locked into place.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Waterloo Furniture Components, Ltd.Inventor: Michael Woof
-
Patent number: 5829851Abstract: A gear damper includes anti-ratcheting means for preventing disengagement between a gear of the damper and a mating gear rack when a sliding or rotating tray is moved or rotated in and out of a stationary housing. The gear damper further includes mounting means so as to permit the gear damper to move floatingly in a direction perpendicular to the gear rack as a toothed wheel gear follows the gear rack. As a result, the distance between the toothed gear of the damper and the gear rack is held substantially constant so as to eliminate ratcheting and gear skipping.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Steven L. Bivens, Ralph G. Nedbel
-
Patent number: 5826955Abstract: Modular cabinetry is provided comprising a plurality of interchangeably stackable cabinet units and at least one coupling member for restricting relative shifting of adjacent stacked units. Each cabinet unit includes at least one upwardly projecting top flange and at least one downwardly projecting bottom flange such that adjacent stacked units present a set of cooperating flanges comprising a bottom flange of the upper unit and a top flange of the lower unit. The coupling member includes a pair of oppositely facing grooves for receiving the set of flanges when the member is interposed between stacked units.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Karen L. SandersInventors: Karen L. Sanders, Denzel W. Gibbens, Thomas A. Thiel
-
Patent number: 5823649Abstract: A child-proof drawer lock assembly for drawers fitted with or without drawer slide rollers. The lock assembly is movably mounted on the external drawer side of the drawer. A restraining member is mounted to a lever that is accessible when the drawer is partially opened. The restraining member alternatively engages a cabinet-mounted drawer slide roller through a slot in the drawer-mounted drawer slide or engages the interior of the cabinet face. The drawer is unlatched by lifting the pivotally mounted lever a sufficient distance so that the restraining member clears the roller, or the cabinet face, while the drawer is conventionally opened. The assembly can also be disengaged to allow for conventional operation of the drawer.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Inventor: Gary M. Hinrichs
-
Patent number: 5823642Abstract: The invention relates to a computer desk, comprising a glass sheet (1) forming a top or a portion thereof, a keyboard level (2) in front of it and a monitor space (5) below the glass sheet (1) provided with suspension elements (6-8) for suspending a monitor (4) in an inclined position below the glass sheet (1). The suspension elements (6-8) include a flexible net (7), upon which the monitor (4) can be set. The opposite ends of the net have a suspension height which is adjustable for adjusting the angular position of the monitor. The monitor space (5) is confined on substantially all four sides by metal walls (9-11).Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Inventor: Jussi Korolainen
-
Patent number: 5823643Abstract: A lock system for casegoods, such as desks, cabinets, storage units, wardrobes and the like, includes an elongated, flexible tape or lock member having a plurality of spaced lock studs positioned thereon. A lock actuator moves the tape between unlocked and locked positions. Catches are mounted on the drawers, doors and the like of the article. When the flexible tape is moved to the locked position, the lock studs block or prevent opening movement of the drawers or doors due to contact with the catches. The flexible tape is routed through channels or other mounting structure formed in panels and tops of the article of furniture. An interlock mechanism, which may be integrated with the lock member, includes a lock lever, a cable attached to the lock lever and a plurality of interlock cams. Control members on the drawers rotate the cams to take up the cable causing the interlock lever to pivot and engage the lock member, thereby moving the lock member to a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Feldpausch, Phillip D. Carino, Frederick S. Faiks
-
Patent number: 5823121Abstract: A new Spa Table for offering a portable table for use in a spa wherein the height of the table is self-adjusting such that the top of the table remains on the surface of the water. The inventive device includes a base member removably positioned on the floor of a spa, a planar table top member adapted to float on the water surface of the spa, and a self-adjusting vertical support member interconnecting the base member and the planar table top member, wherein the self-adjusting vertical support member self-adjusts to support the planar table top member in a generally horizontal position on the water surface of the spa. The planar table top member floats on the water surface of the spa such that the height of the planar table top member self-adjustingly correspondingly increases and decreases with the height of the water surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Inventor: Dave Reiter
-
Patent number: 5813740Abstract: The present invention discloses a compact disk storage tower structure that is associated with a front panel of a computer case to provide convenience in the retrieval of compact disks. The front panel according to the invention includes an opening of which the peripheral rims are equipped with barbed fingers on the back side of the panel to hold a housing in position. The housing has a wide open front, a plurality of curved ledges formed on the internal side walls, a pin hole located away from the ledges and extending from the top of the housing to the bottom, engaging openings well-balancedly provided on exterior walls thereof, and an upper and a lower groove integrally molded to serve as a receptacle for a speaker. The housing accommodates a plurality of compact disk trays each of which has a stepped flange with a holed protrusion on one side end and a thin flexible flat slab angularly extending from the peripheral surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Inventor: I-Chen Chang
-
Patent number: 5813739Abstract: An improved, under-counter flammable material storage cabinet which complies with all present fire codes and which overcomes problems associated with access to the utility conduits behind the storage cabinet is provided. The cabinet is self-closing in the presence of internal or external heat to either contain a fire within the cabinet or to keep materials inside the cabinet from combusting from an external fire. The cabinet advantageously utilizes a wooden storage container insert which may be removably affixed within the cabinet frame to provide a storage area wherein flammable materials can be safely stored while at the same time allowing access as necessary to utility conduits installed behind the cabinets.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Collegedale Casework, LLCInventor: Joseph J. White
-
Patent number: 5813355Abstract: The high stiffness of the legs of a twin-sheet thermoformed pallet are effectively made to contribute to the overall stiffness of the pallet deck by utilizing vertical webs which tie into the legs through a plurality of special purpose depressions or knee Joints and which work with narrow channels in the bottom deck which extend parallel to the predominate lines of stress expected to be experienced by the pallet.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Trienda CorporationInventors: Henry F. Brown, Dennis A. Giannini
-
Patent number: 5809904Abstract: A pallet for supporting a plurality of packages, the pallet including a base member having a plurality of feet defining a plurality of gaps between adjacent feet and a subframe including a plurality of cross bars, each of the cross bars overlying and supported by the feet and spanning the gaps defined between the feet. A package position is provided for each of the packages. Each package position is located along a respective one of the cross bars and directly overlies a respective one of the gaps such that each of the packages when mounted on the pallet at a respective one of the package positions is suspended above the respective gap by the respective cross bar.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: T.H.E.M. International, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Darby
-
Patent number: 5810181Abstract: A display stand having a first shelf for an article to be displayed, a first base for supporting the first shelf in a display position relative to a support for the display stand with the first shelf and first base having a combined vertical plan outline, a second shelf for an article to be displayed, and first structure cooperating between the second shelf and at least one of the first shelf and first base for guiding repositioning of the second shelf relative to the at least one of the first shelf and first base between a) a first position wherein a substantial portion of the second shelf resides outside of the combined vertical plan outline of the first shelf and first base, and b) a second position wherein the second shelf resides substantially entirely within the combined vertical plan outline of the first shelf and first base.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Inventors: Bradley S. Emalfarb, Seymour Emalfarb
-
Patent number: 5806437Abstract: A table has first and second extendable bar structures positioned parallel to each other. A first table end segment is secured to the first outer ends of the extendable bar structures, and a second table end segment is secured to the second outer ends of the extendable bar structures. First and second crossing bars are connected to and extend between the first and second extendable bar structures. A rod is connected between the first and second crossing bars, and a plurality of removable table segments are positioned between the first and second table end segments. Each removable table segment is rotatably coupled to the rod to facilitate storage of each removable table segment under the first and second table end segments.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Latitude Tree Furniture Sdn. Bhd.Inventor: Chun Te Huang
-
Patent number: 5806436Abstract: On a shipping pallet made of plastic, with two parallel surfaces forming its upper side and its underside respectively, whereby each surface is the outside of the base of two basic components permanently connected to one another, the bases of which are located at some distance from one another, the base of each basic component is a closed plate. The space between the bases of the basic components is bridged by a pair of strips parallel to one another and enclosing a groove between them. On both ends of each pair of strips the groove is closed by a cross member connecting the two bases to form a chamber. The space between the bases along the circumference of the pallet is closed by edge strips. The pallet is provided with feet projecting outward from a surface, and equipped with skids if necessary, and the two basic components are tightly connected to one another in the vicinity of the strips and cross member.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Inventors: Erich Weichenrieder, Sr., Erich K. Weichenrieder, Jr.