Patents Examined by José V. Chen
  • Patent number: 7748329
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a plurality of supports extending downward from the upper deck. A cap is secured in front of at least one of the supports to protect the support. The cap may be formed of a material different from the support, such as a higher density, tougher or harder material without increasing the cost of the materials for the supports and deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Kyle L. Baltz
  • Patent number: 7343865
    Abstract: A plastic twin sheet pallet and a method of forming the pallet. The pallet includes an upper plastic sheet and a lower plastic sheet selectively fused together to form a generally rectangular pallet having an upper platform structure. The pallet further includes a metallic support structure positioned beneath the platform structure between the upper and lower sheets and including a plurality of beam members arranged end to end in a rectangular frame configuration with each beam member generally parallel to and spaced inboard from the respective outer edge of the pallet. The pallet further includes a peripheral groove structure opening upwardly in the platform structure between each beam member and the respective outer edge of the pallet. The pallet defines a peripheral groove structure opening upwardly in the platform structure between each beam member and their respective outer edge of the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Schuert Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Lyle H. Shuert
  • Patent number: 7322299
    Abstract: A modular section for forming a support structure, the section being elongated and having a generally annular cross-sectional configuration with spaced upper and lower surfaces and spaced side walls, the upper and lower surfaces and side walls forming upper and lower edges, respectively, at the interfaces, wherein the upper and lower surfaces each comprise an extension at the respective upper and lower edges, the extensions having a flange formed at the ends thereof, and where the upper and lower surfaces each have a groove formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph P. Greene
  • Patent number: 7314009
    Abstract: A display device including a tabletop provided with a transparent portion; an interior space for holding an advertisement to be viewed through the transparent portion; the tabletop is secured with a lock barrel which operates a cam to move a flange laterally into and out of engagement with a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Creatable Media Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Wunsh, Craig Lazarus, Sandy Richardson
  • Patent number: 7299755
    Abstract: A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces pivotally attached to a retaining assembly preferably mounted in relation to the table top. Specifically, the retaining assembly includes a cross-brace member operably disposed through openings formed in the distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces, thus providing a pivotal engagement in relation to the table top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Stanford
  • Patent number: 7293508
    Abstract: A method and system is presented for ensuring that a latch securing a ramp to a pallet is properly aligned and seated before a product can be offloaded from the pallet and down the ramp. The system uses a latching system that has a pallet-attached base and a ramp-attached mating bracket. The pallet-attached base has two rods. The first rod has a retainer arm that is restricted by the second rod to a vertical position, thus preventing a shipment on the pallet from reaching the ramp. The second rod has a thin portion and a thick portion. The second rod must be laterally moved such that the mating bracket mates only with the thin portion of the rod. This lateral movement moves the second rod away from the first rod's retainer arm, thus allowing the retainer arm to fold down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Duane Johnson, Ivan Neil Liverman, Eric Allen Stegner, Robert William Stegner
  • Patent number: 7293509
    Abstract: A half pallet for use with a pallet lift jack includes a deck that is snap-fit to a plurality of supports. A lateral projection extends inwardly from each of the supports. A vertical projection protrudes upwardly from an inner end of the lateral projection and is spaced from the support such that a portion of a frame of the pallet lift jack can be received between the vertical projection and the support to prevent outward deflection of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 7275489
    Abstract: A thermoformed twin sheet pallet comprising an upper plastic sheet and a lower plastic sheet, the sheets being fused together to form a platform structure and a plurality of leg structures downstanding from the platform structure in spaced relation and defining a plurality of forklift passages therebetween. The leg structures are formed of spaced downstanding leg portions of the upper sheet fused in vertically overlapping relation to spaced upstanding leg portions of the lower sheet, and main body planar portions of the upper sheet between the spaced downstanding leg portions coact with main body planar portions of the lower sheet between the spaced upstanding leg portions to define the forklift passages. The lower sheet further includes an upstanding flange portion extending around the perimeter of the lower sheet and fused to the perimeter of the upper sheet and openings are provided in the flange portion, in alignment with the forklift passages, to provide forklift access to the forklift passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Schuert Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Lyle H. Shuert
  • Patent number: 7252040
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a portable table which is formed in two half sections movable between a folded position where they form a brief case and an unfolded position in which the half sections abut one another to define a planar table top capable of supporting a laptop computer, notebook and the like. The table top has a pair of legs which are adjustable both in the vertical and lateral directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Dumond
  • Patent number: 7249563
    Abstract: A mechanism for folding one of at least three legs of a table to a tabletop thereof is disclosed. The mechanism includes a bracket secured to the bottom of the tabletop, a stand as a main portion of each leg pivotally connected to the bracket by a pivot, and a spring having one end connected to an upper pivotal shaft and the other end connected to the lower pivot such that lifting an outer end of the shaft about the other end thereof by one hand and pivoting the stand clockwise about the bracket by the other hand will fold the stand under the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: E - Make Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry Chen, Lung-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 7240623
    Abstract: The disclosure describes is a portable activity surface with foam construction with various utilitarian features and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph M. Jarke, Joseph M. Jarke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7231879
    Abstract: Formable pallets that are easy to construct into a generally stably product receiving state and easy to collapse into a storage/transport state. Embodiments of the pallet of which include a construction wherein one or more support beams can be further integrally formed from the sheet material of the pallet itself and function to support a product support surface on an uppermost surface of the pallet. The one or more support beams can be supported internally by structural inserts. Additionally, the supporting inserts may include braces for added stability and strength. The beams, as well as the platform can be further braced and structurally supported by cross braces, which run generally at right angles to the beams and pass through apertures in the beams themselves and slots in the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Norman H. Gordon
  • Patent number: 7171910
    Abstract: Blow molded plastic structures are provided for use in various structures such as, but not limited to, tables, chairs, walls, backboards, storage bins, sports equipment and the like. The blow molded plastic structure has a first surface and a second surface extending between a first end and a second end and forming a chamber there between. A plurality of depressions is formed on the second surface and extends into the chamber. The depressions are usually unitary structures formed by a depression wall. Generally, the steeper the depression wall, the more strength is provided to the structure. In addition, where the plurality of depressions has a low profile and a greater density, increased strength is provided to the structure. The depressions may or may not be joined to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Neunzert, Ed VanNimwegen, Curtis Cook, L. Curtis Strong, Barry D. Mower
  • Patent number: 7168373
    Abstract: An elevation adjustment device in the legs of table includes a rectangular leaf and four legs connected to the underside of four corners of the leaf. The legs each has a first tube and second tube slidably inserted into the first tube having graduation on outer periphery, a tubular sleeve engaged with the lower end of the first tube, a tubular stopper with a circular pad pressed into the lower end of the second tube, a pushing rod connected to a threaded shank inserted into a circular through hole of the first tube and a protrudent radial through hole in a segmental retaining bar, an enlarged retaining ring, a washer and a spring sequentially wrapped on the threaded shank and secured by a internally threaded cap from the inner end of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Koh Tuang Hock
  • Patent number: 7156026
    Abstract: An ergonomically contoured frame for accommodating a person in a seated position includes an upper section carried by a base section. The base section includes upwardly extending legs, while the upper section includes downwardly extending legs for adjustably interconnecting with the upwardly extending legs to vary the height of the controller stand to accommodate different players. The base section includes a generally U-shaped base carrying the upwardly extending legs. The upper section has a generally U-shaped top integral with and interconnecting the downwardly extending legs. A foot controller platform is carried by the base section for carrying a foot controller for a video game. A hand controller platform is carried by the upper section for carrying a hand controller for a video game. Securing members are carried by the platforms for securing the controllers to each platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: W. Richard McClellion
  • Patent number: 7143702
    Abstract: A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces pivotally attached to a retaining assembly preferably mounted in relation to the table top. Specifically, the retaining assembly includes a cross-brace member operably disposed through openings formed in the distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces, thus providing a pivotal engagement in relation to the table top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Stanford
  • Patent number: 7121213
    Abstract: A legless table is provided. The legless table includes a tabletop, a first support, a track, a fastener and a second support whereby the legless table is selectively attachable to an upright protrusion. The tabletop includes an upper surface and a lower surface where the first support is coupled to the lower surface. The track is located on the lower surface of the tabletop and forms a slot. Further, the fastener is positionably retained in the slot and is used to positionably secure the second support to the lower surface of the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Keith Alan Viazanko, Ken R. Viazanko
  • Patent number: 7104201
    Abstract: A sterile apparatus for covering a surgical tray upon which surgical instruments may be placed. The tray can be covered with a thin flat tubular elongated primary cover which is closed at one end and open at the opposite end. The primary cover is positioned over the tray and any supporting stand and provides a first sterile layer of protection. The invention includes a reinforced secondary cover which is positioned over the primary cover and surgical tray with the outer edges extending under the edges of the tray and drawn firmly toward each other to secure the covers and position them with respect to the tray. This form fit gathers and secures extraneous material from the covers. The secondary cover can include reinforcing layers of additional materials both in the area of the tray as well as the side edges to prevent these areas from being cut or pierced whereby the sterility of the instruments and tray may be jeopardized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Clear Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Comeaux, Sanjay Jatana
  • Patent number: 7100516
    Abstract: A console (10) is disclosed which comprises a console top (12), a first member (14), and a second member (16) coupled to the first member (14) via a mechanism. The mechanism (17) is movable between a first configuration in which the first member (14) closes a recess (18) in the console top (12), and a second configuration in which the first member (14) extends away from the console top (12) and the second member (16) is arranged such that it can support a load while the mechanism (17) is retained in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Philip Riddiford, Michael Andrew Nairn
  • Patent number: 7080600
    Abstract: A pallet system for maintaining a stack of substantially uniform workpieces in alignment with each other. The stack has at least three side planes defined by sides of the workpieces. The pallet system includes a pallet having a base, and a rigid stake and an adjustable stake projecting upwardly from the base. The base includes a frame supporting a plurality of base members for supporting the stack of workpieces. The rigid stake is adapted to locate a first side plane of the stack in a first predetermined position in relation to the base. The adjustable stake is adapted to locate a second side plane of the stack in a second predetermined position in relation to the base. The rigid stake is spaced from the adjustable stake so that the stack is located in a selected position on the base between the rigid stake and the adjustable stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: BES Tool & Die Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Jurdens