Patents Examined by Hugh B. Thompson, II
  • Patent number: 7228940
    Abstract: A replaceable locking and securing device for securing a first member to a second member includes a replaceable bracket, a lock and a fastener. The bracket defines one opening when the bracket is operatively connected to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: bil-jax, inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Stringer
  • Patent number: 7228883
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator system includes a motorized operator which moves a barrier between limit positions, and a photo-electric safety system connected to the motorized operator. The photo-electric safety system monitors for obstructions at more than one height along the barrier's path between limit positions. This is done by installing a supplemental photo-electric safety system to work in conjunction with a pre-existing photo-electric safety system connected to the motorized barrier operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: James S Murray
  • Patent number: 7222696
    Abstract: Independently adjustable ladder extensions for use with folding, step, or extension ladders includes at least one pair of adjustable support legs slidably disposed within the channels of the side rails and having apertures that align with through holes on the side rails so that the support legs can be slidably adjusted within the channels and then locked in the desired position for stabilizing and leveling the ladder on an uneven surface. Locking pins insert into the through holes of the side rails and through the apertures of the support legs for locking the support legs in the position, and the locking pins include a flap member for holding the locking pins in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Elizabeth Jackson
  • Patent number: 7222456
    Abstract: An impact resistant shutter assembly, such as Bahama and Colonial-style shutter assemblies, for protecting glass of external openings of a structure, where the shutter assembly is resistant to damage by flying debris from high wind storms and hurricanes, said shutter assembly designed to meet governmental building code requirements for resistance to flying debris from hurricanes. The shutter assembly comprises a generally rectangular frame fabricated of a light-weight metal, such as aluminum, having a pair of side members, and top and bottom members. Extending between and into the side members are a plurality of angled slats, where the ends of the angled slats are anchored within the side members by a pair of rod members passing through apertures in proximity to the slat ends. Optionally, a locking mechanism may be provided to secure a pair of shutter assemblies during the periods of high winds and hurricanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Carey
  • Patent number: 7222458
    Abstract: A tilt-latch (10) adapted for releasably securing a pivotable sash window (12) disposed within opposed guide rails (16) on a master frame (14) of a window sash assembly (11) is disclosed. The sash window (12) comprises a top sash rail (20), a base (22) and two stiles (24,26) connected together at their extremities. The tilt-latch (10) comprises a housing (42) adapted to be supported by the top rail (20). The housing (42) has an outward end opening (44) and a cover (51). A latch bolt (46) is disposed within the housing (42) and has a nose (47) adapted for engaging a respective one of the guide rails (16). The latch bolt (46) also has a slot (66). The tilt-latch (10) further has an actuator (48) having a post (90). The post (90) is received by the slot (66). The tilt-latch (10) also has a spring (50) for biasing the latch bolt (46) through the outward end opening (44). The actuator (48) is connected to the latch bolt (46) and is sized to be positioned over the entire cover (51) of the housing (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Allen D. Polowinczak, Vincent F. Eslick
  • Patent number: 7222695
    Abstract: A ladder leveller for mounting onto at least one stile of a hollow runged ladder includes an elongate stile extension member, a cross bar sized for mounting journalled through a hollow rung of the ladder. A locking pin extends from the cross bar, through one of an array of apertures in the extension member and cooperates with a locking bar. The locking bar is releasably mounted onto the locking pin to lock the stile extension member onto the stile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Leona B. Jules, Richard K. Whittingham
  • Patent number: 7219766
    Abstract: A mid-span fall protection system including a remotely attachable fall protection latching mechanism for attachment to an elevated horizontal strand. The fall protection latching mechanism may be used with an elongated rigid structure for extending between a support surface and the elevated horizontal strand, where the fall protection latching mechanism is attached to an upper end of the elongated rigid structure. The fall protection latching mechanism includes a hook portion for engaging over the elevated horizontal strand to provide a support for the fall protection latching mechanism, and a fall protection line coupling structure attached to the hook portion for providing a direct connection between the hook portion and a fall protection line. A fall protection line is also provided having an upper end attached to and supported by the coupling structure, and includes a lower end located adjacent a lower end of the elongated rigid structure at the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph F. Deuer
  • Patent number: 7219469
    Abstract: A window or door includes a frame mounted to a building. The frame has first and second side jambs, a frame closure in the form of a window or door has a first side edge pivotally mounted to the first side jamb of the frame for opening and closing the closure member relative to the frame. The closure member has a second side edge which locates adjacent the second side jamb of the frame when the closure member is closed. The second side edge of the closure member includes a first lock part. The second side jamb of the frame includes a channel extending lengthwise of the frame. The channel has a channel mouth along its length, which faces interiorly of the frame. Undercut channel regions are provided to each side of the channel mouth. A slide bar is slideably fitted in the channel and a second lock part is secured to the slide bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Carlo DiFrancesco
  • Patent number: 7216741
    Abstract: A safety cage improves the safety of workers servicing tanker vehicles having top side hatches. A part or parts of the cage can be repositioned to permit the hatch cover to be opened and then can be returned to a safety enchancing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Aluminum Ladder Company
    Inventors: Ellie Harold MacDonald, Darrel Scott Cramer
  • Patent number: 7216740
    Abstract: A rig for use in conjunction with a helicopter or other aircraft which allows the aircraft to be quickly converted to use as a platform for rappelling. The rig is preferably constructed of strapping materials into relatively planar main body portion with attached legs which connect to the struts supporting the helicopter's landing gear. The rig may also be bent and folded for compact storage without loss of structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Michael P. Dierkes, Derek L. Dunmire, Timothy H. Tanner
  • Patent number: 7216688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reverse-stop mechanism of a curtain, especially for applying to a sheet- or cloth-type curtain, to rigidly stop a reactive force from a gravitation or an external force and also acquire varied speed output, with a characteristic by connecting a fixed first annular gear with a secondary annular gear of a larger pitch circle diameter, wherein a compound gear set, having two planet gears of varied pitch circle diameters, formed in the middle gearing both annular gears thereof, thereby a backwards rotation of the secondary annular gear will be transmitted, through the compound gear set, to the first annular gear, which stops the rotation. With different pitch circle diameters of the first and the secondary planet gear, power outputs will be transferred to varied speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Hsien-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 7210560
    Abstract: A platform structure has at least two articulated platforms that can extend end-to-end to form a bench type arrangement. For ease of portability, the structure includes wheels so that it can be carted when it is in a stow position. The structure can include a detachable canopy frame and a canopy, which provides protection from the element, namely rain, snow, sun, and wind. The canopy can have a camouflaged pattern so that it can blend into the surrounding. When the canopy is camouflaged, the structure is instantly converted into a hunting blind. In addition, a mounting mechanism is provided to mount the platform structure to another structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel J. Brink
  • Patent number: 7210558
    Abstract: A scaffold having a ladder assembly detachably connected to one end of a support frame of the scaffold, the ladder assembly being pivotally connected to one of the ends of the support frame, the ladder assembly being selectively rotatably moved between a first position and a second position; in the first position the ladder assembly is positioned adjacent one end of the frame of the scaffold and in the second position the ladder assembly is disposed substantially adjacent a side of the support platform for permitting easy access to the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Votaw Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: John Eaves
  • Patent number: 7210559
    Abstract: A heavy duty apparatus and method are disclosed for holding or locking a ladder or other object in place, say, to a vehicle, such as a van and its rack and/or a rack mounted on a camper top of a pickup truck. The apparatus has a fixed portion and a movable portion which can engage the rings of a ladder and/or a one or more piece of large sheet material in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Cross Tread Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Hickey
  • Patent number: 7207415
    Abstract: A removable tree stand with a novel shur lok latch. A platform extends laterally outward from the tree in a nominally horizontal position. The platform end proximal to the tree includes a mechanism for engaging the tree. Integral tubular support arms project up at an angle from both sides of the platform to a height above the platform. A support cable, including a plurality of mechanical stops, encircles the tree trunk and is inserted through both tubular support arms. The first key feature is a novel pivoting cable engagement mechanism, called a shur lock latch, on each support arm that is easily engaged and provides a positive lock that prohibits inadvertent disengagement of the support cable in both the loaded and unloaded condition. A second key feature is that the support cable is powdercoated to provide increased durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Timothy R. McGehee
  • Patent number: 7207371
    Abstract: A novel roller blind structure includes a roller blind made up of a roller shaft, a side winder with a linkage member attached at both ends of the roller shaft respectively to be actuated by an operating member, and a pivoting post respectively protruding at the outer side of the side winder and the linkage member thereof to be mounted to an upper beam thereby wherein, when pulled by the operation member thereof, the side winders and the linkage member will actuate the roller shaft to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise accordingly so as to control the rolling or unrolling operation of a blind body having an extension piece of a proper length preset at the lower section thereof to be wound backwards and led upwards to be levelly fixed to the inner wall of the upper beam thereof. A counterweight member is retained at the curving turn of the blind body thereof to neatly separate in space the extension piece thereof from a decoration piece disposed at the front section of the blind body thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cheng Feng Blinds Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben Hsu
  • Patent number: 7207416
    Abstract: A reinforcement pad for protecting a liner of a pool from damage caused by a user ascending and descending a pool ladder having two upper ends and two lower ends. The reinforcement pad has a substantially oval pad base and a substantially cylindrical socket extending therefrom. The socket, which has a centrally located bore, is mateable with only one lower ladder end. A user inserts one lower ladder end into the bore of the socket of one reinforcement pad. The user then repeats this step with the other lower ladder end and another reinforcement pad. Next, the user positions the pad base against the pool liner and attaches the upper ladder ends to the pool deck. The pad distributes pressure applied to the ladder over the wider area of the lower surface of the pad base, thereby preventing the liner from becoming damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: James Parker
  • Patent number: 7204345
    Abstract: A bracket for attachment to an upright scaffolding member has a rigid body with a front hook and rear hook thereon for engaging opposing front and rear faces of the upright scaffolding member. A support arm projects horizontally forward from the rigid body beyond the front hook for supporting an auxiliary platform thereon. A retainer member is movable on the body between an unlocked position in which an area between the hooks for receiving the upright scaffolding member therein is unobstructed and a locked position for engaging the upright scaffolding member in which the retainer member is immovable in the direction of engagement of the retainer member with the upright scaffolding member to prevent accidental release thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin Anthony Grant
  • Patent number: 7204375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display arm for a musical cymbal. The arm allows cymbals to be presented in a retail environment without interfering with playability. This allows consumers to play the cymbal to determine whether or not it meets their musical needs. The display arm also precludes the theft or unauthorized removal of the cymbal. This is achieved by special screw assemblies which can only be uncoupled by store personnel. A display panel is also provided whereby relevant product literature can be presented to potential purchasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Paiste America, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paiste, Steve Ziolkowski
  • Patent number: 7204343
    Abstract: A collapsible platform having a scissor-like legs, a maintenance platform, a ladder to mount the platform, and a removable pin for a plurality of slots to raise the platform to different heights, and when the pin is removed, the apparatus lies flat for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Chris Seaman