Patents Examined by J Smith
  • Patent number: 7900881
    Abstract: A stand for a musical instrument is sturdy, durable and easy to construct. The stand supports a musical instrument, such as a guitar, in a substantially upright, readily accessible manner, yet the stand is easy to disassemble for ready transport or store in a low volume configuration. One embodiment of a stand includes a base for supporting a lower section of a musical instrument and a detachable neck that engages an upper section of the musical instrument. The base includes a front support rod, a back support rod spaced apart and extending parallel to the front support rod and a pair of side support rods extending between and connecting the front support rod and the back support rod. A plurality of legs extend from the base to provide stability. The neck support can be magnetically secured to the base in a substantially upright position when the stand is in an assembled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony J. Campagna
  • Patent number: 7900417
    Abstract: A pergola system employs tap-lock pin (56) that readily attaches to a beam (82). The beam is encapsulated, preferably by vinyl extrusions, which allow horizontal strips to easily engage opposing end of the tap-lock pin (56). Clips (78) with protruding tap-locks (72) are secured to a substrate, allowing horizontal strips with ledges (96) to be engaged with the protruding tap-locks (72) to provide an easily installed pergola shade structure. A shroud (102) or coupler (62) allows expansion so that a plurality of pergola kits can be assembled together and so that a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer can install, alter, or retrofit the pergola(s) with minimal effort and direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Leines
  • Patent number: 7896300
    Abstract: A supporting mount mounts a device to a post and is removably fixed to the post without being fastened thereto by any penetrating fastener. A front panel is at the front post face and has the device fixed thereto. A pair of opposing side panels are at respective side post faces. Each side panel has a lower lateral edge connecting to the front panel, an upper lateral portion distal from the front panel, and a hook at about the upper lateral portion. A connecting element at the back post face engages the hooks at the upper lateral portions of the side panels. The mount pivots into frictional contact with the back post face at the top portion of the connecting element and with the front post face at a bottom portion of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Donato LaRossa
  • Patent number: 7895792
    Abstract: A portable platform-support system provides an external platform comer for supporting a platform surface structure; the system having a rigid comer-support apparatus having a non-integrating outer-facing portion with opposing outer edges, an inner portion, and a recessed pocket; a channel member having an elongated shape, a slot aligning with the recessed pocket, and an upper surface to provide support to the platform surface structure; and a reinforcement member securely coupled to and extending from the inner portion with the reinforcement member to securely support the channel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Staging Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Hayden, Danny D. Scott
  • Patent number: 7891145
    Abstract: A very lightweight long-range extending member formed from assembled tapes. The strength of an extended structure can be greatly increased by forming a composite structure from individual single tapes. This invention describes various composite structures and the means for forming them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen M. Bobbio
  • Patent number: 7891622
    Abstract: An improved tilt mounting system for mounting flat panel televisions and similar devices or displays. In various embodiments, at least one mounting bracket includes a plurality of guide mechanisms that are adjustable in orientation relative to each other. When the guide mechanisms are adjusted, the angle between guide structures contained therein changes. As the angle between the guide structures increases, the mounting system becomes more suitable for larger devices or display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Peerless Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dugan O'Keene
  • Patent number: 7891618
    Abstract: A convertible clamp device including a C-shaped frame having first and second substantially opposing interconnected arms; a clamping rod carried by the first arm for longitudinal movement in a first clamping direction toward an internal face of the second arm and in a second opposite direction away from the second arm; different first and second movable clamping jaws removably coupleable to a portion of the clamping rod between the arms of the frame; and different first and second stationary clamping anvils being disposable on the internal face of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 7891146
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching storm panels over window and door openings with end fastenable H tracks. Each of the tracks can have H cross-sectional shapes with elongated opposite facing C shaped channels back to back along the elongated tracks. At the upper and lower ends of the tracks can be outwardly protruding tabs having through-holes for allowing the tracks to mounted into frame edges about the window and door openings. Rectangular shutter panels such as plywood, metal and plastic sheeting can have side edges that slidably fit into the C channel openings of the H tracks so that the only fasteners to attach the panels over the building openings are through the track tabs. Stop flanges can prevent the panels from sliding out of the channels. The track, brackets can be mounted horizontal and parallel to one another as well as be mounted vertically and parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: John Sherwin
  • Patent number: 7887021
    Abstract: A laptop holder for an exercise apparatus is provided which includes a base having a generally planar front surface for receiving a laptop computer and a rear surface configured for engaging a generally planar surface of the exercise apparatus. At least one strap extends from the base and is configured to wrap around a portion of the exercise apparatus to form a loop with the base. Disposed on the base is a pocket defining a pocket opening for receiving a laptop computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dard Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bonni Shevin-Sandy
  • Patent number: 7882667
    Abstract: A panel for connection with other panels, comprising a rectilinear base member having outer edges, a first rectilinear side member extending from one edge of the base member, the first side member having a first lip extending from an outward edge of the first side member and away from the base member, the first side member further having a second lip extending from an outward edge of the first lip and toward the base member and at an angle between about zero and 90 degrees with respect to the first lip, and a second rectilinear side member extending in substantially the same direction as the first side member, from an opposite edge of the base member, the second side member having a third lip extending toward the base member. Related structural members, enclosures, posts, spray booths and methods for assembling the same which include similar features are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Noel G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7878477
    Abstract: A mirror assembly comprising a mounting bracket for attachment to a vehicle exterior; a first pivot plate on the mounting bracket having a concave upper surface with a series of grooves formed therein; a support arm pivotally carried on the first pivot plate of the mounting bracket; and, a second pivot plate carried by the support arm having a base surface with a plurality of protruding teeth engaging the grooves in the first pivot plate so that a pivot gap is defined between the upper surface of the first pivot plate and the base surface of second pivot plate; whereby the pivot gap allows the teeth to both pivot and slide in the grooves of the first pivot plate so that the support arm is pivotal in a multi-axis arrangement with the mounting bracket to accommodate misalignment between the mounting bracket and the support arm during installation on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventor: Emmanuel Courbon
  • Patent number: 7874537
    Abstract: A swivel device includes a motor as a driving source, gears for transmitting a driving force of the motor, a ring member to which the driving force of the motor is transmitted, and a disk member made of a metal sheet to which the driving force of the motor is transmitted via the ring member. This disk member is integrally provided with eight boss portions that are arranged with equal spaces in the swivel direction. The ring member is integrally provided with a groove portion in a circular pattern into which the boss portions are inserted. In addition, the boss portions of the disk member are inserted in the groove portion of the ring member in a slidable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kameoka, Akihiro Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7870688
    Abstract: A clamping device for coupling optical devices in coaxial, tandem alignment includes a front clamp assembly that has elastically deformable split collar halves tightenable onto a front optical device by a screw tightenable into bores disposed transversely through a pair of arms extending radially from the split collar halves. A rear optical device support protrudes rearward from the front clamp assembly, and has a releasable fastener such as a screw or dovetail joint for supporting a rear optical device in coaxial alignment with the front optical device. Preferably, the arm is mounted to the front clamp assembly by means of a pivotable joint which is latchable in a first, rearward position, and a second, forward position in which the rear optical device is positioned along the side of the front optical device, so that the front device may be used independently of the rear device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Night Optics USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Dasiukevich
  • Patent number: 7870485
    Abstract: A system that generates multiple documents using a template document and a data source. During operation, the system receives the data source, which includes parent records, child records, and metadata which describes the data stored in the parent and child records. Next, the system receives the template document which includes tables. The system then generates a flat data source from the data source, wherein the flat data source includes column names for the tables in the template document. Next, the system generates an intermediate document using the template document by concatenating multiple replicas of the template document to obtain an initial version of the intermediate document and by using the flat data source to populate the column names in the tables within the initial version of the intermediate document. The system then generates a final document by using the child records to populate rows in the tables within the intermediate document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Seliutin, Jeffrey D. Stegall, Sergey Alduokhov
  • Patent number: 7866909
    Abstract: The cable locking system is a two-part device that locks a cable-like strap or other flexible or rigid member with an enlarged end into place by using an opposing arrangement of keyhole-shaped apertures bored into two rigid parts. The cable locking system requires no extra hardware to secure the connection, and can be retrofitted to fit virtually any size support system in numerous applications. The cable locking system can be installed quickly and easily without a need for tools, extra labor, or supporting equipment. In the case of a suspension bridge, the suspension parts can be pre-manufactured and assembled, then quickly and easily connected to complete the structure. The cable locking system makes the construction of a suspension bridge or other hoisting device as well as many kinds of structures simple and straightforward, with fewer parts that can potentially fail. The cable locking system can also easily be disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Marvin Albert Denmark
  • Patent number: 7861483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel, with a tongue on a longitudinal and a transverse edge, projecting beyond said longitudinal or transverse edge, with essentially parallel tongue surfaces and a groove on the opposing longitudinal or transverse edge, enclosed by lateral panel sections, corresponding to the tongue of an adjacent panel with essentially parallel groove edges. In order to lock two adjacent panels such as to run into each other, a projecting locking element is provided on at least one tongue surface at least in parts and in each region of (a) panel section(s) corresponding to said locking element(s) for connected panels a recess(es) is provided, whereby the region (B) of the tongue with the locking element and/or at least one of the regions of the tongue and the panel sections which are in contact on introducing the tongue into the groove, before the locking element clips into the recess, have an elastic embodiment such that said elasticity is greater than the elasticity of the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Dirk Dammers
  • Patent number: 7857271
    Abstract: A surgical tool holder that includes a holding member with a clamping jaw, which is movable between open and clamping positions. A gripping member is configured to supportingly grip a surgical tool and is selectively placed in a rotatable or fixed association with the holding member. Engagement portions of the holding member and gripping member are engagable to block rotation therebetween to obtain the fixed association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Automated Medical Products Corporation
    Inventor: John Lees
  • Patent number: 7853872
    Abstract: A partial layout area using a template is created in a page. Setting information on the template used in the created partial layout area is set. The layout of the template used in the created partial layout area is controlled on the basis of the setting information set for the partial layout area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Ota, Hajime Ohno
  • Patent number: 7850023
    Abstract: A device provides for displaying and dispensing retail articles. The device includes a plurality of product support modules that are detachably coupled to one another. Each support module includes a bottom mating portion and a top mating portion, each of which may be operatively coupled to a top mating portion and a bottom mating portion of another support module, respectively. Each support module also include sidewalls that may be operatively coupled to sidewalls of another support module. All of the product support modules of the present invention have a substantially similar profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventor: Edison Rey Silveria
  • Patent number: 7845126
    Abstract: A UL compliant power generating system is integrated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and integrated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade, and are adapted to be UL compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Architectural Glass and Aluminum Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Brescia