Patents Examined by Jerrold D Johnson
  • Patent number: 7048116
    Abstract: A CD case has a drawer which may be pulled out by a handle for access to a CD. The drawer can be easily inserted during production, and multiple drawers can be stacked in stable manner. A front wall engages in a groove in a drawer stacked on top of it to provide stability. A CD is retained in a seat by a retainer having opposed gripping retainer elements. A CD is released by a user pressing a button, causing arm branches to pull together because of configuration of a resilient anchorage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Dualbox Limited
    Inventors: John Hegarty, Dominic Southgate
  • Patent number: 6953114
    Abstract: A toolbox is provided for receiving tool bits each with an annular groove. The toolbox includes a box and a holder for pivotal installment in the box. The holder includes holes defined therein and hooks each located in one of the holes. Each of the holes is for receiving one of the tool bits. Each of the hooks includes an enlarged end for insertion in the annular groove of one of the tool bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Mei-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 6883990
    Abstract: A cosmetics container includes a hollow container and a cover unit. The cover unit is composed of a connecting cover, a brush, a revolving base and a revolving cover. The brush is normally positioned in the connecting cover of the cover unit. To do makeup, the revolving cover is rotated with the revolving base, and simultaneously the brush is extended out of the cover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hawthorn Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Shih
  • Patent number: 5107611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile (182) of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having means that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet from one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, these means comprising(a) a separating means (20,68,71) for separating the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeding means (22) for feeding sheets to the separating means,(c) retaining means (26,28,32,80) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide means (79) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile,the guide means having a stop member (52) which can be brought up against the transverse e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5037049
    Abstract: The structure is tree-like, having a tubular cruciform base, a vertical section and a plurality of tiers of limb-like structure, comprising a top tier, a bottom tier and at least one intermediate tier. The basic structure comprises one straight vertical tube and four bent tubular elements. The four elements each have a horizontal portion which is part of the cruciform base, a vertical portion which is part of the vertical section and an arched top which is part of the top tier of limb-like structures. The tubular elements are integrated by spacers and clamps. The clamps also retain tubular sockets which hold the tubular limb-like structures of the bottom and intermediate tiers. A swivelled snap hook is attached to the free end of each limb-like structure to support a hanging plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Jack N. Funk
  • Patent number: 5025590
    Abstract: Wire panels which are easily and readily adapted to any size tree or shrub root ball and which when attached together form a basket to preserve the integrity of the root ball are disclosed. The panels are formed in a criss cross configuration and are secured by rope, cord, twine or wire in a shoelace type tightening arrangement. It is also possible to preconnect several wire panels in a size corresponding to a commercial shade digger by use of an easily deforming wire link at the top and bottom of the panels. The wire panels provide the sizing flexibility to be used for any size tree or shrub root ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5020192
    Abstract: A device for use in tying down an object with respect to a fixed reference point is disclosed which has one end fastened to an object such as a tree or a pole, and the other end fastened to a fixed stake or other immovable reference point, with the length of the tie down being adjustable to allow it to be pulled tight between the object and the reference point and quickly and easily secured to act as a support retaining the object in position with respect to the reference point. The tie down of the present invention has a handle which may be pulled to tighten the tie down once it is properly positioned, thereby making the tightening operation both convenient and easy, and allowing greater tension to be placed in the tie down of the present invention without requiring greater effort to do so. The tie down utilizes a locking process which is both easy and simple to accomplish by a single person, and once secured, the tie down will remain solidly locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Al Gerlach
  • Patent number: 5018300
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hanging basket liner for lining wire and other types of hanging baskets designed to hold live, growing plants and flowers or artificial plants or flowers. The liner is of a construction which incorporates a covering of sphagnum moss on its outer surface, so that it has a natural appearance. The flexible material from which the inner liner is made is adaptable, by cutting and trimming, to fit various sizes and shapes of hanging baskets. The liner, which has a diameter in the range from 17 inches to 48 inches and a thickness in the range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch, has a inner lining with sponge like properties which retains moisture, reduces the drying out of the growing medium and is durable, long lasting and reuseable. The liner has a number of vanes emanating from its center so that side slits, through which trailing plants can grow, are created as the liner conforms to the shape of the hanging basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventors: Martin T. Chiu, Derek A. Firth
  • Patent number: 5018327
    Abstract: The prefabricated panel elements for the construction of insulating chambers consist of an interlocking element (1) surrounding an insulating core, and of a cover (2). The interlocking element and the cover can be either attached to each other or to a support structure. The panel elements are assembled to form walls and insulating chambers, in particular for the installation of air conditioning equipment, cooling plant and similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Aelos Holding AG
    Inventors: Rudolf A. Goebel, Konrad Stolzlechner
  • Patent number: 5012624
    Abstract: A system for suspending a structural member from a ceiling. The ceiling includes a metal panel member. The system includes a wire having one end connected to the structural member. The wire extends upwardly from the structural member to an anchor member. The upper end of the wire is attached to the anchor member. The anchor member is installed in the metal panel member in a continuous operation which utilizes a single tool assembly to perform a continuous sequence of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Steven W. Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 5010684
    Abstract: A tree treatment capsule is disclosed as including a head element having a shank portion with an internal cavity containing a chemical agent. The internal cavity is sealed by a plug in an end of the shank portion remote from the head element. The head element, shank portion, chemical agent and plug form a self-contained unit which is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in a tree. The shank portion is made of a frangible material so that upon breaking as a result of an impact force applied to the head element, the chemical agent is free to mix with the sap of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Merving
    Inventor: Hans Merving
  • Patent number: 5010708
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a corner fastener for securing a first and second frame member together to form a corner of a frame. The corner fastener, in one embodiment, includes a first leg member cooperatively connected to a second leg member. Proximal sections of the leg members have raised surfaces which act as a pivoting point when the corner lock is utilized. In addition, the leg members have distal sections which are deformable, during installation, to assist in the alignment and adjustment of the mitre angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Anderson Corporation
    Inventors: Harold H. Evans, Todd W. Bruchu
  • Patent number: 5010686
    Abstract: A hydroponic system includes a channel-like trough formed of parallel side walls and an orthogonal bottom wall defining an upwardly opening coffer. A pair of oblique walls extend integrally from a medial portion of the bottom wall to respective medial portions of the side walls to define a V-shaped bottom in the interior of the trough. The oblique walls also strengthen the channel structure, and define with the bottom wall and side walls two closed longitudinal flow spaces extending the length of the trough. A pair of end caps are sealed to the ends of the trough, sealing the longitudinal flow spaces and forming a liquid retaining container. A longitudinally extending cover panel is configured to snap-engage the upper edges of the side walls of the trough. The cover panel is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced plant holes, and a plurality of plant supporting members are dimensioned to be supported in the plant holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Inventor: Daniel J. Rivest
  • Patent number: 5009030
    Abstract: Substrates for soil-free culturing are formed from a felt of mineral fibres having a hydroretentivity gradient such that the hydroretentivity decreases in the direction of gravity. The hydroretentivity gradient may be brought about by a gradient in the fineness of the fibres such that the average diameter of the fibres increases in the direction of gravity or the density of the fibres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Isover Saint-Gobain
    Inventors: Bernard Kafka, Michel Baufume
  • Patent number: 5007135
    Abstract: A plant growing receptacle to be employed particularly by commercial nurseries wherein numerous plants are cultivated for future sale to the purchasing public. The container is readily adaptable for use with a variety of plants and includes a conical body made of a molded plastic which includes a side wall and an integral bottom wall. A pair of diametrically opposed openings are formed in the side wall, and are adapted to receive a root from the growing plant therein and are positioned along the lower portion of the side walls. Also, drain openings are formed in the side wall, slightly above the bottom wall of the container and below the root receiving openings. The receptacle may be used as effectively for placement into the soil which has been previously mechanically drilled to receive the same, or used above ground when placed on an impervious base such as a plastic sheet or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Robert Rigsby
  • Patent number: 5003725
    Abstract: A holder for a stuffed toy animal may be used with a floral arrangement. The floral arrangement includes a vase with an outer surface and a peripheral lip and flowers which are disposed in the vase. The holder includes a back frame, a base platform and two grasping arms. The back frame has a top member, a bottom member and two side members. The base platform is pivotally coupled to the bottom member of the back frame so that it can be folded against the back frame. The stuffed toy animal is placed on the base platform in an upright position relative thereto. One end of each grasping arm is pivotally coupled to one of the two side members of the back frame so that the two grasping arms may either be folded so that they are adjacent to the back frame or be swung out in order to operate together holding the stuffed toy animal in its upright position. The back frame has a pair of ribbon slits which are disposed on the side members thereof and a vase hook which is mechanically coupled to the top member thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Ricky R. Maddox
  • Patent number: 5003744
    Abstract: A glass block panel construction and method of fabrication useful for decorative and functional purposes. The panel includes a frame rigidly assembled from interlocking components to form a grid-like pattern of adjacent pockets, each pocket sized to receive and support a glass block by way of support lips extending around each pocket, the blocks bonded to the frame and therefore to one another in structurally stable and weather sealed relation. Improved thermal condition characteristics are provided by serpentine thermal conduction paths through members of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Innovative Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4999946
    Abstract: A plant tray having a locking mechanism which secures the contents of a propagation strip having a plurality cells containing growth medium and plants, and methods of using the same during the transportation or storage. The locking mechanism is an L-shaped moveable device which, when pivoted, easily secures the contents of the cells in place during shipment. The locking mechanism may be readily placed in an open position to facilitate removal of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Agro Dynamics
    Inventors: Michael DeGiglio, Michael F. Dowgert
  • Patent number: 4999947
    Abstract: A controlled wick waterer for planter pots wherein at least one pair of opposed rails restricts capillary flow through the wick, and improved by at least one rail opposed by a pair of rails with interengagement of the rails for diagonal compression along two lines transversely of the wick, and any multiple of said at least one rail opposed by a pair of rails, carried by a platform over a reservoir within a pot and with manual access and level indication for filling and adjustment of pressure controlling the rail pressure upon the wick therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: Dale Whitaker
  • Patent number: 4998388
    Abstract: A prefabricated unitized closet unit includes an interior molded compartment portion and an outer frame. The closet assembly is delivered to a building site and installed within a framed opening of a wall. The closet frame is fastened to upstanding studs forming the framed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: Gregory R. Englehart