Patents Examined by Joseph Edell
  • Patent number: 6857701
    Abstract: A swing rack having a seat dock with adjustable angle includes a loading frame which has two sides coupling respectively with an anchor dock. The anchor dock has a trough for holding a sliding member which is coupled with the seat dock. The seat dock includes a seat rack, a backrest rack and a bracing bar bridging therebetween. A bracing bracket is provided which has a retaining element. The loading frame has a first anchor member. The stretcher between the legs at two sides has a second anchor member. The bracing bracket may be latched on the first and second anchor member to form a secure anchoring to support users at the sitting and lying angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 6848225
    Abstract: A condensation evacuating sill for evacuating condensate having formed on an inner surface of a window pane includes a molding strip and an attachment extrusion for attaching the molding strip to the window frame. The attachment extrusion includes an extrusion-to-molding attachment section for attaching the molding attachment surface to the attachment extrusion and an extrusion-to-frame attachment section for attaching the attachment extrusion to the window frame. The attachment extrusion is configured and sized for attaching the molding strip to the window frame so that the molding inner edge is spaced relative to the inner surface by a pane-to-molding spacing allowing the condensate to flow therethrough without contacting the molding strip. The attachment extrusion further includes flow guiding components for guiding the flow of condensate from the pane-to-molding spacing to a discharge location located away from the attachment extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Normand Lapierre
  • Patent number: 6843534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an armrest apparatus installed in a chair for a computer work. An armrest member which is freely movable on a horizontal surface by a link apparatus is provided in an upper portion of an armrest body vertically installed at both sides of a seat of a chair. The armrest apparatus is used as a common armrest for a chair at a usual time on which a user's arms are placed in such a manner that an armrest member is closely contacted with an upper surface of an armrest body or is lifted upwardly. The armrest member is upwardly lifted at the height at which a keyboard work is conveniently performed during a computer work, so that a user's arms are freely movable on the armrest on a horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Soon-won Lee, Jong-ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6840577
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for a planar seating apparatus having a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports are adjustable and capable of folding, as is the back support, to provide a compact and easily transportable and storable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Convaid Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mervyn M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6837542
    Abstract: A chair frame (10) for a stackable chair. The chair frame (10) includes a seat support (12) for supporting the seat (22) of the stackable chair, the seat support (12) of the frame (10) defining first and second side frame portions (18, 20). The chair frame (10) also includes first and second front leg members (24, 26) and first and second rear leg members (28, 30) extending downwardly from the seat support (12). A back support (36) is secured to the seat support (12), the back support (36) defining first and second side portions (38, 40) and a lower frame portion (44) disposed between the first and second side portions (38, 40) of the back support (36). Also included are first and second bracing structures (46, 48) extending between the seat support (12) and the back support (36), whereby the bracing structures (46, 48) strengthen the engagement of the seat support (12) with the back support (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Jr., Manfred Steinfeld
  • Patent number: 6832813
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a booster seat configured to carry a child and adapted to be supported by at least one of a chair and seat. The booster seat includes a base portion and at least one rotatable spool connected with the booster seat. Also included is at least one spool strap having one end windable about the at least one rotatable spool and having a first connector at a free end of the at least one spool strap, the free end extending outside the booster seat. Further included is at least one associated second connector connected with the booster seat to connect with the first connector to secure the booster seat to the at least one of a chair and seat. The present disclosure also relates to a method for securing the booster seat to a support and a method of unsecuring the booster seat and storing the spool straps and connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Tomas, J. Michael Treen, Michael T. Fusco, Brian Sundberg
  • Patent number: 6829864
    Abstract: A hinged protective cover for protecting a door threshold during construction or modification of a building or its contents. The cover is attached to a horizontal surface such as a building floor and covers the door threshold to prevent damage from foot traffic, contaminants and grit materials which may become lodged in the threshold. The hinge allows positioning of the protective cover to permit door closure while remaining attached to the floor. This leaves the cover in place for repositioning to the protecting position when the door is reopened and serves as an affirmative reminder to accomplish same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventors: John Robert Mitchell, David Joseph Thum
  • Patent number: 6830295
    Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a seat to a vehicle floor, the device comprising firstly a base designed to support a seat proper of the seat, and secondly a rear coupling and a front coupling that are secured to the base. The front coupling comprises an anchoring fork provided with first and second notches designed to co-operate respectively with a rear rod and with a front rod, and first and second hooks mounted on the anchoring fork to move between an unlocked position and a locked position, the first hook being adapted to be in its locked position while holding the rear rod captive, and the seat proper pivoting about the rear rod only, between its tilted-forwards position and its in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'automobile S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles Duquesnay, Gilles Sourdillon, Farid Senhadji, Didier Gallienne
  • Patent number: 6827399
    Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat body having a seat portion (12), a backrest (14) with an outwardly facing rear surface, and a support mechanism comprising an abutment member (24) and a link (32) having one end connected to the abutment member (24) and another end pivotally connected to the outwardly facing rear surface. The abutment member (24) is movable through a predetermined angle of greater than 90° between a stowed position in which the link (32) and the abutment member (24) are parallel to and in close proximity to the outwardly facing rear surface and a deployed position in which at least one edge of the abutment member (24) is held by the link (32) in a position spaced apart from the outwardly facing rear surface. A limit device prevents angular movement of the link (32) beyond the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Britax Romer Kindersicherheit GmbH
    Inventors: Ellen Schoor, Erik Emmert, Martin Haas
  • Patent number: 6826881
    Abstract: A decorative door molding includes an elongated panel having a contoured top surface. The contoured top surface has at least a first and second raised portion extending along the top surface. The first and second raised portions have a first and a second predetermined height and form a recessed portion. A raised decorative portion is formed on at least a portion of the recessed portion and has a height that is less than the smaller of the first and second predetermined heights. A decorative door is also provided that includes a generally rectangular frame and an interior panel connected to the frame. The frame includes at least one panel having the contoured surface. The contoured surface has first and second raised portions having first and second predetermined heights. The first and second raised portions form a recessed portion. A raised decorative portion is formed on at least a portion of the recessed portion and has a height that is less than the smaller of the first and second predetermined heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventor: Jean T. McGregor
  • Patent number: 6824222
    Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a lap belt (60) including a first portion (74) and a second portion (85). A retractor (76) includes a spool (96) rotatable about an axis (160). The first and second lap belt portions (74, 85) are secured to the spool (96). The spool (96) is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction to wind the first and second portions (74, 85) onto the spool. The first and second portions (74, 85) when tensioned urge the spool (96) to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to unwind the first and second portions from the spool. A locking mechanism (170) is actuatable to lock the spool (96) against rotation in the second rotational direction. First and second web grabbing devices (180, 182) are actuatable to clamp onto the first and second portions (74, 85) when the locking mechanism (170) is in the locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J. Maloney, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Arnold J. Herberg, Alex P. Kotivosky
  • Patent number: 6824217
    Abstract: An armrest assembly includes a lower part defining a lower chamber, and an upper part defining an upper chamber therein. An abutting member is disposed in the upper chamber. A cylinder-and-piston unit includes a cylinder extending into the upper chamber to abut against the abutting member, and a piston mounted securely in the lower chamber and telescopically extending into the cylinder. A locking member includes a spring-biased button projecting from the cylinder, extending through the abutting member and into the upper chamber, and pressible to move between a locked position, in which, the cylinder is locked by the locking member against axial movement relative to the piston, and an unlocked position, in which, the cylinder is axially movable relative to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fu Luong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 6824207
    Abstract: A chair assembly includes a first support stand, a second support stand, a support frame, four support tubes, four connecting members, two first mounting members, two elastic members, and two second mounting members. Thus, the chair assembly can be folded and expanded easily and conveniently. In addition, the chair assembly can be supported rigidly and stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Chen-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 6814410
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing movements between different parts of at least one vehicle seat, which at each connection (l1, l2, l3) positioned between a first seat part and a second seat part, comprises actuators (A1, A2, A3) of the first seat part relative to the second seat part that are associated with memorization and control systems (R1; F1, R2, F2; R3, F3) of the end positions of each part and of the limit transmission forces of the actuators. In the event that the movements of several seats need to be managed, this system comprises a link bus (6) ensuring the connection between the seats and one or more central units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: PGA Electronic
    Inventors: Jen-François Piaulet, Hugues Legras, Laurent Groussin, Pascal Moulin, Alain Berthouloux
  • Patent number: 6805408
    Abstract: In the case of a fitting (21) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having at least two functional regions (15, 23), which are assigned in each case to the relative movement and/or unlocking of different components (11, 25; 25, 5) of the vehicle seat (1), and interrogation device (35, 45, 61) between the functional regions (15, 23), the interrogation device (35, 45, 61) have a pulling device (61), which is designed in closed form, between the functional regions (15, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Buhl, Richard Salewski
  • Patent number: 6802562
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seatback for a vehicle seat, having an integrated protective device. The protective device includes a device that generates a torque acting in a pivoting direction on an upper back part, a rear-end impact detector that is in effective connection with the torque-generating device in such a way that the device is activated in the event of the rear-end impact and the pivoting motion is initiated, and an immobilization device for retention of the upper back part in the normal use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ernst-Jürgen Hake, Hans-Joachim Müller, Gerhard Schmale, Lutz Strieder
  • Patent number: 6789860
    Abstract: A deal drawer apparatus (16) is used in carrying out transactions by transporting items between a service provider on a service provider side (34) of a wall (14) and a customer side (12) of the wall. The deal drawer apparatus includes a drawer assembly (76) with a movable drawer (92). The drawer may be moved by a mechanical drive (114) through a releasable connector (116). The drawer may be moved alternatively by connection of a handle (154) to the drawer such as through a releasable coupling (152). The drawer assembly is releasably mounted in a housing (36) through interengaging projections and recesses (82, 80). Movement of the drawer is operative to open and close a door (22). When the drawer is extended a customer is enabled to access the interior area of the drawer. When the drawer is retracted, a service provider accesses the interior area of the drawer through an opening (40), access through which is controlled by at least one movable panel (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark DePietro, Robert V. Artino, Steven R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6783177
    Abstract: A supporting member is for supporting a headrest. A pressure receiving member is attached to the supporting member. The pressure receiving member has a pressure receiving portion at a lower end thereof for a load to be applied to. A frame member is attached with the supporting member to be pivoted with the headrest. The frame member is a pair of side frames or an upper-cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nakano
  • Patent number: 6783184
    Abstract: A molded article comprising (a) a rigid support, e.g., a rigid seat support (10), having a plurality of perforations, and (b) a molded flexible hollow thermoplastic member (20), e.g., a flexible thermoplastic seat cushion, fixedly attached thereto is described. A portion of the flexible hollow member (b) extends through at least some of the perforations of the rigid support (a), embedding the edges of the perforations therein. The flexible material extending through the perforations forms an attachment element, e.g., an attachment head, that serves to fixedly attach the flexible hollow member (b) to the rigid support (a). Also described is a method of preparing the molded article of the present invention, in which the flexible hollow member (b) is fixedly attached to the rigid support (a) during the blow molding formation of hollow member (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Polymers LLC
    Inventors: Gerald A. DiBattista, Christopher Cooper
  • Patent number: 6783182
    Abstract: A modular furniture system includes a first leg having an elongated top edge extending between an inside face and an opposing outside face. A first engagement channel is recessed along the top edge of first leg. A second leg is spaced apart from the first leg and has an elongated top edge extending between an inside face and an opposing outside face. A first engagement channel is also recessed along the top edge of the second leg. A seat frame includes a first side rail, a spaced apart second side rail, and at least one brace extending therebetween. The first side rail has a lower edge received within the first engagement channel of the first leg and the second side rail has a lower edge received within the first engagement channel of the second leg so as to removably secure the seat frame to the first and second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Michael S. Gallagher