Patents Examined by Jeffrey O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11053722
    Abstract: There is a temperature activated spring hinge comprising hinge section comprising at least one door leaf and at least one hinge leaf. There is also a fuse which is configured to react in response to an elevated temperature. The fuse can be positioned inside one of the knuckles of the door leaf. There is also a biasing element configured to bias the hinge in a closed position. In at least one embodiment the biasing element is a spring. There is also at least one guide configured to guide a movement of the hinge when the hinge moves from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Teta
  • Patent number: 11046346
    Abstract: The invention relates to a push handle unit, in particular a multi-piece push handle unit, comprising at least one first and at least one second end piece, each end piece having at least one self-supporting grip unit that rises up, at least one horizontal attachment piece, at least one arcuate corner node, and at least one fastening device for fastening the respective end piece to a transport cart guided by hand, the self-supporting grip unit that rises up consisting at least of one grip unit receptacle (26) and at least of one grip unit insert, the horizontal attachment piece and the grip unit receptacle being formed on the arcuate corner node in such a way that a continuous transition between the horizontal attachment piece and the grip unit is formed by means of the arcuate corner node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: WANZL GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Thomas Gasche, Dieter Stöckle, Aleksandar Tatic, Patrick Heutschi
  • Patent number: 11047161
    Abstract: A furniture drive for moving a furniture part movably supported relative to a furniture carcass the furniture drive includes a housing having a first housing wall to be fixed to the furniture carcass, and a second housing wall at least partially spaced from the first housing wall. At least the first housing wall includes a guide device for guiding a fastener. At least one supporting body is configured so as to be separate from the guide device for guiding the fastener, at least partially surrounds the guide device, and is firmly connected to the first housing wall as well as to the second housing wall so that a movement of the second housing wall relative to the first housing wall is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 11035161
    Abstract: A hinge for a hinged opening of a vehicle includes a first hinge part and a second hinge part which are connected to one another via an axis of rotation so as to be movable relative to one another. The first hinge part has a slot and the second hinge part has a fitting hole. A screw is received through the slot of the first hinge part and fitting hole of the second hinge part. A shaped nut clamps the first hinge part and the second hinge part against the screw. The shaped nut forms a step that includes a first part received in the slot and a second part protruding from the first hinge part and resting on an edge of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: AUDI AG, PRINZ Kinematics GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Schabenberger, Paula Wirth
  • Patent number: 11028623
    Abstract: A bendable display apparatus includes a carrying plate, a bendable display, and two supporting devices. Each supporting device includes a dual-shaft hinge module and two buffering modules respectively arranged at two opposite sides of the dual-shaft hinge module. Each dual-shaft hinge module includes two shafts, a linking member clamped between the two shafts, and two side wing members respectively and slidably installed on the two shafts. The two buffering modules are respectively installed on the two shafts and are respectively cooperated with the two side wing members. Each buffering module includes an internal connecting member fixed on and synchronously rotatable with the corresponding shaft and an external connecting member slidably disposed on the internal connecting member and provided to be fixed on a carrying plate. Each side wing member has a limiting portion passing through the corresponding internal connecting member and the corresponding external connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FOSITEK CORPORATION
    Inventor: An-Szu Hsu
  • Patent number: 11028624
    Abstract: A supporting device includes a dual-shaft hinge module and two buffering modules respectively arranged at two opposite sides of the dual-shaft hinge module. Each dual-shaft hinge module includes two shafts, a linking member clamped between the two shafts, and two side wing members respectively and slidably installed on the two shafts. The two buffering modules are respectively installed on the two shafts and are respectively cooperated with the two side wing members. Each buffering module includes an internal connecting member fixed on and synchronously rotatable with the corresponding shaft and an external connecting member slidably disposed on the internal connecting member and provided to be fixed on a carrying plate. Each side wing member has a limiting portion passing through the corresponding internal connecting member and the corresponding external connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FOSITEK CORPORATION
    Inventor: An-Szu Hsu
  • Patent number: 11028615
    Abstract: A double-sided gate handle device is described. The device includes a first portion having a first handle and a second portion having a second handle and a stopper component. The first portion is separated by a distance from the second portion and the first portion is parallel to the second portion. At least one adjustable component is disposed between the first portion and the second portion by the distance and is perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion. A gate is received within the distance. The at least one adjustable component allows the device to be adjusted to fit gates of varying widths. The stopper component comprises a body component and a first side disposed opposite a second side. The second side of the stopper component is configured to contact a gatepost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: John P Rocha, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11008793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door holder for a cabinetry door that is displaceable between a closed and an open position, having a lever onto which the cabinetry door is fastenable, the lever being pivotable around a pivot shaft, and having a tensioning lever that is displaceably attached to the lever via a coupling piece, and the tensioning lever being mounted in stationary fashion. In such a door holder, reliable movement of the cabinetry door can be brought about in simple fashion if provision is made that an energy reservoir is indirectly or directly attached to the tensioning lever at the end facing away from the coupling piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Nurettin Güzeltepe, Artur Hirtsiefer, Bernd Rödder
  • Patent number: 11002048
    Abstract: A first hinge 11 comprises: a first turning shaft portion 111 which extends vertically; a first supporting portion 112 which is extended longitudinally and laterally, and supports the bottom of the first turning shaft portion 111; and a first mounting portion 113 which extends downwardly from the rear end of the first supporting portion 112. A second hinge 12 comprises: a second turning shaft portion 121 which extends vertically; a second supporting portion 122 which is extended longitudinally and laterally, and supports the top of the second turning shaft portion 121; and a second mounting portion 123 which extends upwardly from the rear end of the second supporting portion 122. The first supporting portion 112 is disposed above the second supporting portion 122. The first mounting portion 113 is disposed below the second supporting portion 122. The second mounting portion 123 is disposed above the first supporting portion 112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10995532
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer includes a rotary energy-storing mechanism including a housing and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a cylinder, a second piston assembly and a sealing element, the sealing element is in an air tight connection with the cylinder and the second piston assembly, to form a closed space filled with high pressure gas in the cylinder. The second piston assembly drives the closed space into a first air chamber and a second air chamber in communication with each other. The driving mechanism also includes a first piston assembly connected to the second piston assembly. The pneumatic door closer also includes a transmission mechanism having one end received in the housing and another end connected to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: CMECH (GUANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventor: Fan Shui Wang
  • Patent number: 10982479
    Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to an adjustment indicator mechanism for a door closer including a tubular portion and an adjustment screw mounted to the tubular portion. A housing is configured for mounting to the door closer, and includes a channel and indicia adjacent the channel, each of the indicia corresponding to a respective size of the door closer. An adjustment transmission includes a first component configured for coupling with the adjustment screw. An indicator transmission is engaged with the adjustment transmission and mounted in the housing. An indicator is movably mounted to the housing such that a portion of the indicator is visible via the channel. The indicator is engaged with the indicator transmission such that movement of the indicator transmission causes the indicator to selectively align with the indicia to thereby indicate the current size of the door closer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, David V. Toloday, Nagesh Varadaraju, Aditya Heblikar, James W. Overbey
  • Patent number: 10968672
    Abstract: A furniture fitting for moving a furniture part movably supported relative to a furniture carcass includes a first fitting portion to be fixed to a furniture carcass, and a second fitting portion to be fixed to a movable furniture part. The second fitting portion is pivotally connected to the first fitting portion, and a limiting device limits an opening angle of a relative pivoting movement of the first and second fitting portion. The limiting device includes at least one movably mounted actuating element, and the opening angle can be adjusted by a manual or by a tool-assisted actuation of the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Malte Schmid
  • Patent number: 10961759
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer includes a rotary energy-storing mechanism including a housing and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a cylinder, a second piston assembly and a sealing element, the sealing element is in an air tight connection with the cylinder and the second piston assembly, to form a closed space filled with high pressure gas in the cylinder. The second piston assembly drives the closed space into a first air chamber and a second air chamber in communication with each other. The driving mechanism also includes a first piston assembly connected to the second piston assembly. The pneumatic door closer also includes a transmission mechanism having one end received in the housing and another end connected to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CMECH (GUANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventor: Fan Shui Wang
  • Patent number: 10954692
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for closing a car door from the inside of the car using an elongated handle and a hand mounted on the distal end, which is especially helpful for an aging individual and/or an individual with disabilities to easily close a car door without help from others and without having to exit the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Ramon Rivera
  • Patent number: 10945548
    Abstract: A track hanger (100) includes a hook (103) and an extension (104), a base member (102), and a key (403). The key is detachable from the hook, and the base member is detachable from the extension. The key can include a first major surface (401) and a second major surface (402). The first major surface can define one or more barbs (404) that facilitate one-way insertion of the key into a track (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paige Wexler, Joshua Bobo, John Piazzi
  • Patent number: 10941598
    Abstract: A vehicle hinge assembly includes a door portion, a body portion, and a hinge pin movable between an engaged position where the door portion and the body portion are rotatably coupled and a disengaged position where the door portion and the body portion are configured to be decoupled from one another. A latch is moveable relative to the hinge pin between a locked position where the latch blocks movement of the hinge pin and an unlocked position where the latch allowed movement of the hinge pin. The latch is configured to be in the unlocked position when the vehicle hinge assembly is in a first substantially upright orientation, and the latch is configured to be in the locked position when the vehicle hinge assembly is in a second substantially upside-down orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Reese Cherry, Matthew B. Rutman
  • Patent number: 10941600
    Abstract: A hinge device connecting a door rotatably to a washing machine main body, which enables the door to be closed smoothly and slowly, and to be opened easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: EPTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong Kun Byun
  • Patent number: 10941795
    Abstract: A bushing device includes a cap end shaped to engage a first surface of a first component having a first hole, and a slotted barrel body coupled with the cap end and elongated along a center axis. The slotted barrel body includes plural first cantilevered beam legs extending away from the cap end in directions that are parallel to the center axis. One or more of the first cantilevered beam legs has a hook at a distal end of the one or more first cantilevered beam legs. The slotted barrel body is shaped to fit inside the first hole in the first component and into a concentric second hole in a second component. The hook of the one or more first cantilevered beam legs is positioned to engage the second component to secure the first component and the second component together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn G. Heavens, Ronald Carter Owens, Chad Michael Clark
  • Patent number: 10927580
    Abstract: A door closer, including: an anchor assembly, including: a frame mounting plate which is fixable relative to a door frame; and an adjustor plate; and an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door leaf to move the door leaf between open and closed configurations relative to the door frame, the actuator assembly including an operating member coupled by a link to the adjustor plate and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly is held adjacent the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the open configuration, the link being configured to extend from the adjustor plate along a first axis, wherein the frame mounting plate is provided with one or more slot(s), the or each slot being elongated along a second axis, the second axis being generally orthogonal to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Samuel Heath & Sons PLC
    Inventor: Adam Paul Daniels
  • Patent number: 10920476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge device for a rotating door, and more particularly, to a hinge device for a rotating door, which is mounted on the rotating door so that the door can be opened and closed while rotating in various ways. The hinge device for the rotating door of the present invention rotates by an external force and then rotated in a free stop manner at a certain section, and automatically rotates in a reverse direction at a section where the hinge device reversely rotates after free stop rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PARTSTEC CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kil Seok Jeong, In Ho Cho, Jae Yeong Jeong