Patents Examined by John G. Pickett
  • Patent number: 6763938
    Abstract: A key holding device for holding at least one key containing a first compartment for holding a key and a second compartment for holding a strap. A clasp is mounted to the key and a cap is used to attach the clasp to the strap. The key is inserted and locked inside the first compartment using a locking mechanism. To access the key, the bottom end of the clasp is pressed to disengage the locking mechanism to unlock and remove the key from the compartment. The key can be rotated and configured for insertion into the desired device. The key can be easily removed from the case by detaching the cap from the clasp. Once removed, the strap retracts inside the second compartment by a biasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: George B. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6752269
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette storage case (1) comprising a storage section (3) for storing a magnetic tape cassette (81), a lid section (5) for covering the storage section (3), and a connecting section (7) for connecting the storage section (3) and the lid section (5) so as to enable the open-and-closed motion; in which the storage section (3) and the lid section (5) comprise plate portion (11, 21) and sidewall portions (13, 23) provided along the outer peripheries of the flat portions (11, 21) respectively. A notch (26b) having at least the height of the sidewall portion (13) provided on the storage section (3) is formed on the inner side of the end of the sidewall portion (23) closer to the connecting section (7) of the lid section (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Onmori, Kazuo Hiraguchi, Kiyoo Morita
  • Patent number: 6745899
    Abstract: A payout for controlling the unwinding of a coil of wire from a wire drum which has an outer drum body and an inner core substantially coaxial with the drum body includes a first planar ring juxtaposed to the top of the wire coil and having a first inner edge closely adjacent to the core and a first outer edge spaced from the first inner edge and a second planar ring juxtaposed the top of the wire coil and having a second outer surface closely adjacent the drum body and a second inner surface spaced from the first outer surface of the first ring to define a continuous circular gap above the wire coil such that the wire passes upwardly through the gap as it is withdrawn from the wire coil. A third ring overlies the first and second rings and is laterally displacable relative thereto and eccentrically relative to the drum axis to further control payout of the wire. The second and third rings alone can be used to control payout of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Barton
  • Patent number: 6705469
    Abstract: Reusable one-piece, foldable, elongate, protective shipping container element formed to conformably-receive and support a product of predetermined size and shape. The container element includes a central, product-receiving section united to opposed end sections by means of transverse hinge areas adapted to be pivoted up and over the central section to form a top cover portion over a product received within the central section. The central section and end sections are formed with upwardly-extending spaced projections of predetermined contour, dimension and location, corresponding to the exterior size, shape and contour of a product to be contained, to receive and supportingly engage the product within the container when the end sections are pivoted up and over the central section to closed position into at least partial engagement with the product supported within the central section. The insert preferably is associated with an outer carton and is supportingly-received therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John Slot
  • Patent number: 6695140
    Abstract: A pivot component (11) is inserted into a bottom component (12) positioned in a shipping container (43) and can be positioned in either a loading position or a support position. In the loading position, the pivot component (11) is tilted outwardly with respect to the bottom component (12), allowing a product (41) to be easily inserted in the container (43). When the product (41) is inserted into the container, contact between the product (41) and the pivot component (11) causes the pivot component (11) to automatically pivot into the support position. In the support position, the pivot component (11) is tilted inwardly with respect to the loading position, and is in position to support and protect the product (41) in the container (43). A top element (51) may be included over the product (41) in the received position so as to capture a top part of the pivot component (11) and thereby retain the pivot component in the support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventor: James Edwin Manuel
  • Patent number: 6691869
    Abstract: A folding box having a rectangular pack casing, a lid part which is connected on the border side of the pack casing and is provided with an insertion flap which engages in the pack casing, wherein articulated in the base region, on one of the four walls which form the pack casing, is a base part provided with an insertion flap which engages in the pack casing, there being articulated on the insertion flap an extension which forms an inner base and at least comprises an inner-base flap, which is articulated on the insertion flap, and an adhesive flap, which is articulated on the inner-base flap and, with the folding box in the completed state, is adhesively bonded to a first side wall, which is located opposite a second side wall, which is in contact with the insertion flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Beiersdorf AG
    Inventors: Holger Knaack, Klaus-Peter Stange, Günther Schultz
  • Patent number: 6675972
    Abstract: A childproof packaging having three portions which are formed from a single sheet of suitable card or plastics material. In use, a blister pack is placed into the first portion having apertures which correlate with a respective cup or indentation in the blister pack. The second portion is then folded onto the top of the penetrable foil lid of the blister pack, and the third portion is then folded on top of the second portion and sealed with a suitable adhesive. The second portion has a plurality of closures moveable by application of a suitable yield force, between a first position, which blocks access to the outlet of a respective compartment of the blister pack, and a second position which provides access to the outlet. The closure can be moved by placing an elongate member into a slotted aperture in the third portion and then pushing the moveable closure to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: ADS Graphics Limited
    Inventor: David Hugh Patterson
  • Patent number: 6659276
    Abstract: A chainsaw case for a chainsaw having a bar is provided. The case includes a base having a lower, a rear, and two end walls, one of the end walls having a slot therein. A front member is pivotally connected to the base and is pivotable from a closed position toward a position in which the front member is substantially coplanar with the lower wall. A top member is pivotally connected to the base about a pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the front member, and is pivotable from a closed position toward a position in which the top member is substantially coplanar with the rear wall. The case also includes a scabbard for being applied to the bar of the chainsaw, the scabbard having an end portion adapted to be received within the slot when the chainsaw is disposed within the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Anderson, Patrick T. Jones, Ronald A. Zimmer, James M. Wiese
  • Patent number: 6644473
    Abstract: A carton is provided for displaying balls. The has top, bottom, front, back, and side walls. The top and bottom walls have openings therein sized and shaped to engage the ball substantially along the full circumference of the holes. Additionally, the carton includes interior braces, preferably at the four corners of the box. The ends of the braces have curved edges, the curvature of which correspond to the curvature of the ball, such that the ends of the braces contact the ball substantially along the full length of the braces. The braces preferably urge the ball upwardly (or downwardly) to urge the ball against the edge of the hole in the top (or bottom) wall. The size and shape of the braces and of the holes allow for a frictional engagement of the ball by the carton to reduce the possibility of unassisted movement of the ball relative to the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
    Inventor: Karl A. Kohler
  • Patent number: 6591985
    Abstract: An improved structure of toolbox aims at the shortcomings of the traditional toolbox structure that can only be placed horizontally but not vertically. By means of the bottom of bottom box structure having a blocking slope with an appropriate angle and a central extended coupling structure, the present invention works together with the bottom of a covering tray structure being disposed at a coupling opening and a blocking surface. Since the blocking slope presses against the blocking surface and gives an inclined angle for the arrangement of placing the toolbox vertically, the user is able to find and store tools in a quick manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Hai Lai