Patents Examined by Jerry A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6431192
    Abstract: A portable hunting blind for retrofitting to hunter's tree stands features arch-shaped concealment panels comprising a reconfigurable camouflage material attached via flexible rods to a lightweight support base. At the points of attachment to the support base, elbows permit the concealment panels to be variably inclined so that the enclosure size and the width of any openings can be varied. Options include a pouch to store hunting gear, an arrow quiver to store hunting arrows, a sheet of camouflage material to seal an opening between adjacent panels, and a ground stake to convert the invention to a ground blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel P. O'Hare
  • Patent number: 6431086
    Abstract: A collapsible massage table includes two folding table pieces hingably connected to each other so that when the table is set up it has four comer regions. Each corner region is supported by a leg that is connected to the table via a folding link. Each link has a cable portion that stabilizes the link in an orientation directed toward the ground when the table is set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: John T. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6431093
    Abstract: A truck catwalk system for allowing an individual to easily access the interior of a truck box. The inventive device includes a pair of support brackets, at least one pivot bracket, a pair of chains attached to the support brackets, a catch mechanism pivotally attached to one of the support brackets, a platform pivotally attached to the support brackets and catchably engaged by the catch mechanism, a handle attached to the platform, and a ladder attached to the platform and the truck box. The platform is comprised of a flat rectangular surface attached to the truck box by pivotal brackets. The support brackets are attached to the truck box to support the weight of the platform. The chains help to support the outer edge of the platform furthest from the box. The handle is utilized to lower and raise the platform. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of gears are attached to the handle and the platform wherein the gears are mechanically engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: David A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6427606
    Abstract: A convenience shelf assembly for a wall having a holder mounted in a framework recessed in the wall. The holder is of a kind having a peripheral rim flush with the wall and attached to the framework with at least one threaded fastener. The convenience shelf assembly includes a shelf, a pair of spaced apart brackets attached to the shelf and a back wall having top, bottom and side edges. The side edges are connected to the brackets and the top edge is connected to the shelf. The back wall is wider along the top edge than the peripheral rim and has a thickness not substantially greater and preferably equal to or less than the thickness of the rim. The back wall has at least one slot dividing the back wall into sections, each of the slots opening from the bottom edge. The sections are adapted to straddle a portion of the holder recessed into the wall to prevent sideways tilting of the shelf assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: James L. Klotz
  • Patent number: 6424386
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device 1 comprising a housing 100 is mounted to a ceiling member of an airplane. An image control unit 110 is fixed to the housing 100, and a liquid crystal display 300 is fixed to a main shaft positioned at a center of rotation C1, so as to be driven to the arrow R1 direction. In a retracting unit, a liquid crystal panel 310 of the liquid crystal display 300 is opposed to the image control unit 110, and stored inside a cover 2,00 surrounding the housing 100. The whole height H1 of the liquid crystal display device 1 may be reduced, so as to secure the overhead clearance of the passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6412423
    Abstract: A telescoping sleeved hinge for use in association with a wall mounted ironing board that allows the ironing board to pivot downward to a horizontal position where the sleeved hinge is fully retracted within itself in order to support the board, and alternately, pivot upward to a vertical position where the telescoping sleeved hinge is received within a groove provided on the underneath side of the board, allowing the board to be stored in a thin profile cabinet. The telescoping hinge allows the back of the board to pivot along a single axis within the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hide-Away Ironing Boards, Inc.
    Inventor: Baldemar Elizondo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6408769
    Abstract: A steering-wheel table has a tabletop (1) with a top seat (3) on a bottom forward portion of the tabletop and two bottom seat members (5) that pivot down from proximate a rearward portion of the tabletop to rest on low portions of a steering wheel (2). For tilt-adjustable steering wheels, the two bottom seats can have fixed distances from the tabletop. For non-tilt steering wheels, the two bottom seats can be at variable distances from the tabletop. The top seat can be a catch bracket in a catch pocket in a bottom of the tabletop and the two bottom seats can be on a support leg (4) that folds into a storage pocket (8) in a bottom of the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Jane D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6408770
    Abstract: A pallet protector assembly for use with one or an array of plural conventional pallets. The pallet protector assembly comprising plural, e.g., at least four, elongated bar-like, hollow plastic, guard members. Each guard member is composed of a first section and a second, with each section having an exposed end portion. The first and second sections of each guard member are telescopically slidably coupled together, whereupon the length of the guard member can be adjusted. The first end portion of the first section includes a first connector, e.g., a male member. The second end portion of the second section includes a second connector, e.g., a mating female connector. The connectors of each of the guard members are arranged to be releasably securable to the connectors of the other guard members form a self-supporting frame for encircling the periphery of the pallet(s), with the guard members being resistant to accidental disconnection from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Food Machinery Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Allen Mason
  • Patent number: 6397763
    Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus for supporting an object, such as a keyboard. The apparatus has a rotatable support arm to which a rotatable support member is attached. Rotation of the support arm allows the height of the support plate to be adjusted. Rotation of the support member allows its inclination to be adjusted. A four bar linkage mechanism ensures that the inclination of the support member remains constant despite variation in the angular orientation of the support arm. The support arm is locked from downward rotation by the interaction of a ring segment, formed on one of the links of the four bar linkage mechanism, with pins projecting from the base. The locking is disengaged by tilting the support member upward. A ratchet and pawl mechanism locks the inclination of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Cook Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Panzarella, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 6398327
    Abstract: A magazine insertion slot opening/closing device is able to automatically close a slide door after being opened. The front side of a magazine insertion slot formed in a decorative panel is covered by an outer door and an inner door. Both the doors are coupled to each other through first and second door plates, a gear damper and a rack plate. With this coupling structure, when one of the outer door and the inner door is moved, the other is also moved in the same direction in an interlocked manner. A locking link is urged by a lock spring in the locking direction to lock the doors in the open state through the first door plate. When closing the doors, the locking link is operated to release the doors from the locked state by rotating a cam gear with rotation of a motor or manually moving the outer door to some extent in the closing direction, whereby the doors are closed under a urging force of a door spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Momoze
  • Patent number: 6389992
    Abstract: A support structure for establishing a computer workstation around a chair, such as an easy chair or wheelchair. The support structure includes a flat base having a plurality of vertical posts projecting upwardly therefrom. Two of the posts have swing arms terminating in additional swing arms. An inclinably adjustable support platform is disposed above each final swing arm. Either support arm may optionally have a drawer and a clip for retaining papers. The compound swing arms enable the platform to be adjusted to any desired proximity to the post, within a range. The working surfaces of each support platform can be inclined, and the height of each support platform can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Jason L. Miller
  • Patent number: 6390310
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a shelf assembly having a shelf, a mounting block and a barrier member. The shelf has a first edge. The mounting block is attached to the first edge. A barrier member is adapted to be attached to the mounting block. The barrier member is capable of being oriented in at least two positions with respect to the shelf. The two positions include an article retaining position and an article access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Insalaco
  • Patent number: 6386660
    Abstract: A detachable rail for drawers consists of a track (10) with two blocking elements to limit the movement of the drawer move within the track (10), a bearing race (20) with multiple ball bearings (22), a rail (30) with an attachment device and a latch (40). The structure of the latch (40) and the attachment device of the rails (60) make the removal and re-installation of the drawer easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Jun-Long Yang
  • Patent number: 6386120
    Abstract: An electrical cabinet stores, or houses, a variety electrical components. The electrical components within the cabinet may be interconnected and may be connected to other electrical components external to the cabinet. The cabinet has an access door with a door stop that allows the door to be locked in an open position. The cabinet contains a workstation with a pivoting platform that supports an electrical component. The cabinet has an extendable bracket that extends allows an electrical component to be extended from the cabinet and removed by lifting the component in an upward direction. The cabinet has a board guide module that aligns a circuit board with an electrical connector in the cabinet. The cabinet has a bulkhead connector that reduces electromagnetic degradation in electrical cables that extend from the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Erik Nelson, Jeffrey Teachout
  • Patent number: 6386119
    Abstract: A foldable leg for furniture includes a tubular leg and a pivot assembly attached to a top of the tubular leg. The pivot assembly includes a front plate and two wing plates respectively perpendicularly extending from two opposite sides of the front plate and facing each other. Each of the wing plates has a curved top edge and an elongated slot longitudinally defined in each of the wing plates. A bracket is pivotally connected to the pivot assembly and includes two side plates parallel to each other, and each has a through hole defined in a lower portion of the side plate. A locking plate connects the two side plates and the locking plate is selectively locked by the pivot assembly. A spring has two ends respectively secured around the pivot pin and at a free end of the tongue of the pivot assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Kae Chih Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 6382743
    Abstract: The news-stand body comprises a rotation-moulded plastic shell. The walls of the shell are arranged in folds, and the hinge-pin mounting holes are provided therein. The hinge pin straddles the folds, which provides for a secure and rigid mounting. The edges of the (transparent) door are bent to form flanges, and the hinge pin passes through holes in the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Go-Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Christopher Gollob
  • Patent number: 6384877
    Abstract: An improved monitor for sports stadiums consisting of a module, which adopts a flat parallelepiped shape, and is fitted on its front side with a display screen, The module is supported by a structure comprising a frame, a base and two shock absorbers mounted between the base and frame to permit backward movement of the frame upon impact. The display screen is based on light emitting diode (LED) technology suitable for displaying moving images and advertisements, covered by a polycarbonate sheet, and contains a hemispherical protrusion that is fitted around each of the light points formed by the light emitting diodes. The shock absorbers are adjustable via holes in the base and frame and there is a handle and latch to permit easy transport of the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: International Sports Organization, S.A., Odeo Electronica, S.A.
    Inventors: Marcelino Socias Batet, Sergio Campoy Odena
  • Patent number: 6382749
    Abstract: A wall-mounted cabinet that is especially adapted for use as a security cabinet in a security system includes the cabinet and the equipment secured by the cabinet in such a manner that the system does not rely on surveillance by security personnel. The cabinet includes a housing with a back support panel securely fastened to a wall of the building that is being monitored. The panel fits around cables used to power or otherwise electrically service the equipment. The housing also has top, bottom and side panels projecting outwardly from the back panel, and shelves are located within the housing defining an upper and lower compartments. Upper and lower doors are mounted on the housing for movement between open and closed positions over the compartments, and locks on the doors secure the doors in their closed positions. Fasteners join the panels of the housing together so that access from the exterior of the cabinet when locked is prevented short of destroying the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Steve A. Stetson
  • Patent number: 6374752
    Abstract: A computer workstation (10) is provided which allows vertical motion of a monitor and keyboard through a power lift (20). Further, the mounted monitor is mounted on a monitor support (22) which allows the monitor to be pivoted about a horizontal axis through an angle of about 30°. The keyboard is mounted on a keyboard support (32) which allows the keyboard to be moved vertically relative to the monitor and the workstation and locked in place by a locking mechanism such as a cam (34). The keyboard can also be pivotally adjusted about a horizontal axis for proper positioning. A mouse pad plate (44) is pivoted from the front of the keyboard support (32) to allow a negative angle for use of the mouse. A reference material plate (54) can be mounted on the workstation for reference materials. The workstation is preferably mounted on swivel casters (14) allowing the workstation to be readily moved from position to position. In another embodiment, the workstation(100) has a gas pressure lift assembly(102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Glenn E. Walser
  • Patent number: 6375292
    Abstract: A heat insulation box body includes inner and outer boxes forming a shell of the heat insulation box body and triangular structural materials inserted in the shell held by close-contact by means of a vacuum. Further, at the time of disassembling the heat insulation box body after scrapping, a shell surface is cut and air is introduced into the inside of the shell to return the state of the shell to an atmospheric pressure state and then respective members are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Nishimoto