Patents Examined by J. Franklin Foss
  • Patent number: 5340070
    Abstract: A ladies leg shave plate or fixture is mounted in the shower stall or in a bathing area of the bathroom. It has a unitary body having a vertically extending mount portion and a forwardly extending, downwardly inclined foot portion integral with the mount portion. The foot portion has upper and lower surfaces, with the upper surface providing an area for the woman to place the ball of her foot to permit her to conveniently shave her leg. The angle of inclination for the upper surface is in the range of 15.degree. to 25.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Betsy A. Soma
  • Patent number: 5340074
    Abstract: An eyeglass display hanger permits the eyeglasses to be tried on in the normal wearing position while the hanger is still attached thereto. The eyeglass display hanger consists of a planar body which is divided into front and rear body portions by a crease line. The body further includes a slot on the crease line. The front body portion includes a first aperture which is adapted for being received over a cantilever display bar and a second aperture which is adapted for receiving the temple bar of a pair of the eyeglasses. For assembly of the hanger with a pair of eyeglasses, the front and rear body portions are folded over onto each other and the temple bar of the eyeglasses is inserted downwardly through the aperture in the front body portion and through the slot in the crease line so that the temple bar is received between the front and rear body portions. The front and rear body portions are then secured together, preferably by a self-sticking adhesive or by staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Accessories Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix A. Porcaro, Jeffrey A. Feibelman, Daniel A. Triangolo
  • Patent number: 5337996
    Abstract: A lightweight structure for oil and acrylic painting that converts to a self-contained backpack, capable of transporting a canvas, paint supplies and the like. The structure is composed of three legs (31L, 31R, 31B) joined at the top, braced by a detachable pack frame (175) suspended between the legs near the middle, with each adjacent pair of legs crossbraced by flexible non-resilient cords (71L, 71R, 71B) between the bottom of each leg and the approximate junction between each adjacent leg and the pack frame. The system is comprehensive, including pallet (267), solvent jar (268) and brush racks (191, 193), all suspended from the pack frame exterior. All paint supplies are securely held, readily accessible from the painting position in front. The canvas is rapidly moved up and down by pivoting canvas supports (300) on the legs, and a canvas support rig (376) sliding on a mast (37) above the legs. Canvas upper corners can be stabilized with a canvas stabilizer rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Milton Kalish
  • Patent number: 5337986
    Abstract: The specification discloses a hanging-plant support assembly with rigid object-support bracket with a post-engaging base, secured to a post by means of a post-engaging band with end hooks which hook over hooks on an attachment bar which extends through one of a plurality of apertures in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Dec-Kor, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan H. Vollink
  • Patent number: 5337997
    Abstract: A motor lorry spring hanger assembly (10) including a pair of generally parallel, co-extensive vertically oriented cheek plates (11). The cheek plates (11) have upper flanges (12, 13) through which bolts pass to secure the assembly to the main frame of the motor lorry. The cheek plates (11) are maintained in a generally parallel spaced relationship by means of a spacer box (16). The lower portions of the cheek plates (11) are provided with apertures (22) through which a spring bolt (21) passes. There is also provided bushing (23) engaging the cheek plates (11) and through which the bolt (21) passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Hockney Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip K. Hockney
  • Patent number: 5337995
    Abstract: A power seat frame assembly includes a screw nut and rod assembly which is pre-assembled as a unit before being mounted on a bracket fixed to a rail for vehicle's seat. A gear box of the screw rod and nut assembly is disposed merely in a space between opposed walls on the bracket and the screw rod is received in an opening upper recess of the bracket. Thus, the arrangement of the screw rod and nut assembly on the bracket becomes easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Aisen Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Munetaka Satoh, Sadao Ito, Hiroshi Nawa
  • Patent number: 5337984
    Abstract: A cup holder for use in a vehicle comprising a generally rectangular holder for cups formed of generally vertically extending sidewalls and a horizontally extending top wall, a base having a peripheral extent corresponding to that of the bottom of the side walls coupled to the bottom of the side walls with a plurality of apertures formed on the top wall, each aperture having a circular segment for receiving a cup and a radial segment for receiving the handle of a cup located in the circular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Deborah J. Houck
  • Patent number: 5335889
    Abstract: A bracket serving as a sign support by providing a leg and a foot with a multiple of retainers carried by the leg and foot for holding the sign in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Hall Signs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hopkins, Larry W. Hall
  • Patent number: 5335893
    Abstract: A vibration dampening and thermal isolating 360.degree. adjustable bracket to connect components and accommodate for tolerance buildups in various manufacturing installations. The bracket comprises a bracket plate with a notched circular cutout therein, a vibration dampening and thermal isolating rubber grommet press fitted into the notched circular cutout, a slotted-insert press fitted into the central hole of the grommet, a support plate, and connecting means. The slotted-insert that has a slot through the insert's the longitudinal axes may be rotated through 360.degree. to accommodate for different relative positions of the connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Fred W. Opp
  • Patent number: 5333823
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed that removably attaches to the top platform of a stepladder, the apparatus includes a plate mounted to the stepladder, a bucket receptacle disposed on top of the plate, the bucket receptacle being used to hold items such as paint cans, nails or cleaning implements therein. The bucket receptacle is provided with tapered sides and a gasket to securely hold a paint can therewithin. The apparatus also includes one or more side attachments disposed on top of the plate integrally connected with the bucket receptacle. The side attachments are formed with various recesses or tool support shelves for securely holding various implements such as power tools, hand tools, paintbrushes or cleaning implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 5332184
    Abstract: A pole clamp assembly (10), and a method of using same, involves two jaws (14, 16) mounted on a base frame, or housing, (12) with a first (14) of the jaws being movable on the frame along two parallel curved tracks between closed and open positions and a selectively-actuatable biasing mechanism (18) comprising an elastic or spring member (38, 102) attached between the movable jaw (14) and a reel or hub (36, 36'). By selectively moving the hub between open and closed positions, the biasing mechanism moves the jaw between the closed and open positions, but if the jaw is held in the closed position, for example, which it will be if the clamp is engaged with a pole, the biasing mechanism flexes when the hub is moved to the open position to allow the movable jaw to remain in the closed position. When the jaw is no longer held in the closed position it snaps to the open position under the influence of the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: TREK Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Richard C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5332181
    Abstract: A motorized stand for positioning medical therapeutic or diagnostic instruments is mechanically coarsely balanced by weights. A defined positioning of the medical instrument is determined by means of several drive units with integrated angle transducers. Operating safety is additionally ensured, in the event of failure of a drive unit, by the use of two angle transducers per drive unit. One angle transducer is coupled to the drive motor of each drive unit. The other angle transducer is independent of the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Jurgen Schweizer, Hartmut Gartner, Joachim Luber
  • Patent number: 5332185
    Abstract: A gun rest comprising a central compartment of a shape which allows the barrel of a gun to be conveniently supported, and one or more attached compartments utilized to stabilize and support the central compartment. The compartments are intended to be filled with a substance such as sand, and incorporate closures comprising an inverted spout, one side of which is made from the hook part of a hook and loop fastener, and the other side of which is the loop part of a hook and loop fastener. A closure such as a spout and pocket closure may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Fred M. Walker, III
  • Patent number: 5330149
    Abstract: A breakaway accessory mounting assembly for vehicles for supporting rearview mirrors and other accessories includes a base mounted on a vehicle panel surface such as a window, and a coupler engaging the base and having a support mounting the rearview mirror or other accessory. Retaining means such as a wire or stamped metal spring, or a resilient plate extend between the base and coupler and allow installation by slidably receiving the coupler on the base in a lateral direction followed by rotation of the coupler with respect to the base to an installed position about a predetermined first axis without further lateral sliding movement. The retaining means also resiliently hold the base and coupler together in the installed position, and allow release of the coupler from the base in three different separation modes when a predetermined force is imposed on the coupler or supported mirror or other accessory. Positioning means are provided to position the coupler in the installed position on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore M. Haan, Wayne Vandenbrink, Stephen J. Forbes, Dennis J. TenBroeke
  • Patent number: 5330146
    Abstract: A container holder assembly includes a recess forming member adapted for mounting in a vehicle, a first container support member pivotally mounted to the recess-forming member for movement in and out of the recess forming member, and a second container support member pivotally mounted to the first container support member for movement through an opening in the sidewall of the first container support member between a retracted position and an extended position. By extending the first container support member and selectively extending or retracting the second container support member, one or two container holder apertures can be selectively formed for supporting one or two containers. The second container support member automatically pivots to the retracted position when the first container support member is pivoted to the storage position in the recess forming member to facilitate closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Spykerman
  • Patent number: 5330148
    Abstract: A wheel tiedown device for securing the wheel of a trailered vehicle to the trailer. The novel device comprises a lasso which encircles the wheel. The handle member of the lasso is tethered to the trailer. The loop of the lasso contacts the sides of the wheel, and is prevented from excessive spreading and from slipping to a position too low on the wheel to secure it by a strap spanning right and left sides of the wheel. A second strap attaches to the loop and extends to the opposite side of the wheel from the lasso handle member. The wheel is secured fore and aft by the lasso handle member and the second strap, one engaging the trailer by hook and eye, and the other being held and tightened in a winch. The lasso is made from a strap, and all connection between the lasso and first and second straps is by passing one strap member through a loop terminating the corresponding strap member. Thus, adjustment is enabled by slippage of one strap through the loop of another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: H. Dennis Floyd
  • Patent number: 5328141
    Abstract: A sag-compensated vibration isolation mount includes a cylindrical rubber dy element and a circular band extending around the body element. The band is formed from a shape-memory alloy metal which has a predetermined transition temperature. The band is operative for restricting outward bulging and sagging of the body element when the body element is subjected to an axial load at a temperature above the transition temperature. The band has a first length at a temperature above the transition temperature and it is stretchable to a second length at a temperature below the transition temperature. At temperatures below the transition temperature, the body element normally stretches the band to its second length. However, when the band is heated above its transition temperature, the band rapidly decreases in length to its first length to forcibly compress the body element and restrict outward bulging of the body element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Stuart C. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 5328143
    Abstract: An beverage container holding apparatus (10) for holding conventional cups of various sizes and conventional beverage cans, includes a body (12). An outer ring member (22) and an inner ring member (32) are pivotally mounted to the body by a pin (40). Large and small cups (52, 60) are supported in generally circular openings (24, 34) by supporting edges (25, 35) in the inner and outer ring members respectively. A conventional can (62) is supported in the inner ring member and on a finger (42) which projects outward from a lower portion of the body. The finger has an upturned end (44) which is adapted to be accepted in a recess in the bottom of the can. The finger also serves to hold the inner ring member in a retracted position when it is not in use. A tab (46) on the lower portion of the body holds the outer ring member in the retracted member when the outer ring member is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Douglas Koorey
    Inventors: Douglas Koorey, Patricia Burgess Barry
  • Patent number: 5326055
    Abstract: A universal plastic siding clip for attaching cables and wires to the outside of a building. The siding clip includes cooperating cable retention mechanisms for both horizontal cable spans and vertical cable drops thereby permitting the use of a single fastener for either or both types of cable runs. The retention mechanisms are spaced to avoid cable interference where both cable types are utilized and, further, to position horizontal cables closer to the wall surface thus making use of the intrinsic protection offered by overlapping siding planks while the vertical runs are spaced sufficiently outwardly from the wall surface to avoid interference with such overlapping planks. Cable recesses are provided to permit multiple and widely varying cable cross-sections and diameters in a single clip model. Further, the clip may be injection molded using simplified tooling without movable core members, side actions and similar apparatus that otherwise increases manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: DEK, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Page, Donald Santucci
  • Patent number: 5326056
    Abstract: A device which provides support for the wrists, forearms and hands of both a manicurist and the person receiving the manicure while a manicure is being performed. The invention is designed to be able to be custom fitted to any work area regardless of the size including those work areas which have a ventilation system built into them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Heidi A. Smith