Patents Examined by Karen J. Chotkowski
  • Patent number: 5593115
    Abstract: A telescopically extendable elongate pipe hangar has resilient connector grommets affixed to opposed ends. The grommets snap rigidly into standard punch holes or knockouts to secure the pipe hangar to metal construction studs. The hangar has spaced boreholes along at least one side for receiving screws or bolts attaching clamps at selective locations to space and support pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: James M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5590738
    Abstract: An apparatus providing a game stand and game carrier combination having an elongated frame providing a ladder, the frame having wheels mounted thereon for transport of the apparatus, an elongated stabilizer bar having one of its ends mounted to the frame and extending outwardly therefrom, the other end of the stabilizer bar being provided with a first gripping device for contact with an upright for laterally stabilizing the frame in a generally upright posture with respect to the upright, a platform on the frame and extending outwardly therefrom in the same general direction as the stabilizer bar, and a second gripping device provided on the apparatus at an upper portion thereof for contact with the upright for further laterally stabilizing the frame at its upper portion with respect to the upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventors: Argil G. Hunt, Randy A. Hunt
  • Patent number: 5588541
    Abstract: The modular shelf system disclosed allows for shelf construction of varying heights and/or configurations. The modular shelf system includes a first set of shelf members spaced vertically from each other and a second set of shelf members spaced vertically from each other. A plurality of interlocking leg members is coupled to the shelf members for supporting and spacing the shelf members vertically from each other. A shelf connecting clip is provided for connecting at least one shelf member of the first set to a horizontally adjacent shelf member of the second set. A slidable drawer may be supported by one of the shelf members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Alco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. Goetz
  • Patent number: 5588633
    Abstract: A mounting bracket comprises a base and an attachment device for loosely attaching the bracket to a support wherein the bracket is allowed to move relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Winch & Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Alan I. McCrerie
  • Patent number: 5588537
    Abstract: A merchandise display system includes a support member and a locking bar. The support member, which may include a series of slotted rails, is adapted to receive display enclosures having an internal display space for displaying merchandise. Each display enclosure includes at least one locking tab which serves to support the enclosure on the support member and which cooperates with the locking bar to prevent removal of the enclosure from the support member when the locking bar is in a first position and to permit removal of the enclosure when the locking bar is in a second position. In a second embodiment of the display system a display rack is mounted in a frame. The display rack includes first and second spaced apart, substantially parallel side members. A plurality of separators are slidably coupled intermediate the first and second members and include retaining means, such as lips or flanges for engaging and retaining merchandise positioned between the separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: KCS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald M. Hagopian
  • Patent number: 5588624
    Abstract: An extension for supporting a leg of a table to increase a distance of the table from a ground surface. The inventive device includes a receiving tube within which a leg of a table can be positioned. An abutment plate is mounted within the tube and engages the table leg to support the leg in a spaced relationship relative to a lower end of the tube. An adjustment assembly can be provided for permitting selective manual adjustment of the table height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Annie R. Woodham
  • Patent number: 5584457
    Abstract: A clamping device which includes an elongate element, a fixed jaw coupled to the elongate element, a movable jaw slidable along the elongate element, and a clamping mechanism coupled to the movable jaw operative to move the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw slightly while being clamped to the elongate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Bliss Fawcett
  • Patent number: 5584406
    Abstract: A rack frame with vertical supports, which can be partially closed by wall elements, wherein the wall elements are embodied as panel elements with beveled edges and are fastened or can be fastened by fasteners to respectively two adjoining supports. The wall elements can be fastened on the supports of the rack frame in a simple manner at an arbitrary height. The two supports each have a fastening bar extending parallel to the wall element, on which U-shaped fastening elements can be adjusted and fixed in place. The wall elements can be bolted together with the fastening elements, and the edges of the wall elements can be inserted into elongated slots of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Besserer, Klaus-Dieter Bovermann, Marc Hartel
  • Patent number: 5584452
    Abstract: A harness clip is so arranged that a band portion 6 is formed to extend on the front face side of a flange portion 2 having elastic wings 7 on the both side surfaces thereof, a shaft portion 3 projects on the rear face side of the flange portion, a latch stopper surface 13 is formed on one surface of the band portion 6, stopper legs 5 elastically biased toward a peripheral edge 101 of a mount hole in a panel 10 are formed on the both side surfaces of the shaft portion 3, a through hole 8 is formed through the flange portion 2, stopper claws 9 to mesh with the latch stopper surface 13 are provided inside the through hole 8, a band holding wall 4 stands as suspended downward from the distal end of the shaft portion 3, a lead hole 12 is formed through the band holding wall 4, the lead hole 12 and through hole 8 are formed below the shaft portion 3 and stopper legs 5, a band catching portion 30 is formed to project from the lower edge of the band holding wall 4 so that the upper surface thereof is on a same plane
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Koike
  • Patent number: 5582270
    Abstract: An improved replacement ladder rung/pulley construction is disclosed wherein a rotatable rod, mounted on bearings and extending substantially completely from one side of the ladder wall to the other, is located within the rung. The rung has a cutout portion proximate its center, which allows a rope to be passed therethrough and over the rotatable rod. The rod thus functions as a pulley and obviates the possibility of the rope sliding off and becoming jammed if the pulling force is exerted from one side or the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Robert N. Fowler
  • Patent number: 5582375
    Abstract: A keyboard positioning system, either alone or in combination with other computer aids, which is ergonomic in design and allows for height adjustments to accommodate operators of different anatomical sizes, yet presets the angle of palm rest and angle of keyboard tray to a wrist neutral position to ensure the proper positioning of the operator's hands, wrist and fingers to greatly lessen or eliminate stress and strain injuries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Martin
  • Patent number: 5582267
    Abstract: A collapsible work support device for use either as a work bench, or as a saw horse when used in conjunction with another such device. The device has an elongated beam used as the principal working member, which is placed on a separate support assembly consisting of a main support and two side supports hingedly attached thereto. The side supports are placed in an open position to cooperate with the main support to form a three-sided member for supporting the beam when in position for use. When the device is to be collapsed for storage, the top beam is removed, the side supports are folded into a closed position flat against the main supports, and the top beam is turned sideways and secured to the support assembly into the collapsed position. The device then becomes a compact unit that may be easily transported or stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventors: Robert E. Bockoven, Brian D. Bockoven, David J. Bockoven
  • Patent number: 5582386
    Abstract: An adjustable support for an apparatus allows the apparatus to be positioned at a selected inclination relative to a supporting surface, for example, a telephone supported on a table surface. The support includes at least one apparatus foot, wherein one end of the apparatus rests on a supporting surface and the other end of the apparatus rests on the foot. The bottom of the apparatus includes a hinge in which one end of the foot is fastened for rotatable movement. The bottom of the apparatus is provided with at least one stop ledge which is spaced from the hinge, and the apparatus foot is provided with a stop cleat which in a first position abuts the stop ledge. The stop cleat is provided with a lever which, when pressed, causes the stop cleat to move resiliently to one side to pass the stop ledge, allowing the apparatus foot to be moved to a second position relative to the apparatus bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Sven Stauffer, Kjell Ekeblom
  • Patent number: 5582377
    Abstract: A device for hanging articles, such as clothing, athletic equipment, and equipment bags, from a chain link fence or the like, comprises an elongate body having a front side and a rear side. On the rear side is a spring-loaded fence-gripping clasp, dimensioned for releasably grasping the wires of the fence. The fence-gripping clasp comprises a fixed fence-gripping jaw and a movable fence-gripping jaw, spring-biased toward the fixed fence-gripping jaw. On the front side is a spring-loaded hanger clasp, specifically adapted for releasably grasping an article having a strap or handle, but also suitable for hanging an article of clothing. The hanger clasp comprises a fixed hanger jaw and a movable hanger jaw, spring-biased to close against the fixed hanger jaw. In a preferred embodiment, the hanger clasp is disposed near the lower end of the elongate body, and a fixed clothes hook extends from the front of the body, above the hanger clasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Genaro E. Quesada
  • Patent number: 5582382
    Abstract: A folding book stand including a base plate having a pivot at the front side, a back plate pivotably connected to the pivot by a first connecting arm and supported in any of a series of tilted positions by a back stand, and a book holder pivotably connected to the pivot by a second connecting arm ad supported in a tilted position perpendicular to the first connecting arm, wherein the base plate defines a flat bottom chamber for receiving the back plate, the back stand and the book holder when the book stand is folded up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Pi-Ju Pan-Yang
  • Patent number: 5579929
    Abstract: A device for holding rod-shaped workpieces, especially test tubes, has a base plate spaced at a distance from a support surface. A receiving and clamping device has at least two elastic tongues that are displaceable in the plane of the base plate. The tongues are positioned in a perforation of the base plate and act in pairs on the test tube. The holding device is extremely simple in its design and economical to manufacture, but ensures a reliable securing of the test tube at different levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Hans Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5580015
    Abstract: A multiple receptacle rotating stand comprising a support post. An assembly is for anchoring a bottom end of the support post into the ground, so that the support post is in an upright position. A collar is placed onto a top end of the support post. An element is for rotating the collar about the top end of the support post. A structure extends from the collar, for supporting a plurality of trash receptacles off of the ground, to prevent prowling animals, such as dogs, from tipping over the trash receptacles and spilling trash onto the ground. The trash receptacles can also be utilized to separate the trash, such as glass, paper, metal, etc., so that the trash can be recycled. Shallow containers can also be used on the structure to feed animals, such as horses and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: George W. Baker
  • Patent number: 5580022
    Abstract: A unitary molded plastic display platform comprises a flat horizontal deck for supporting items thereon, a pair of generally parallel opposing vertical side faces, a vertical front face bridging the opposing side faces, and a vertical support leg disposed between the opposing side faces. The display platform is preferably free of a vertical rear face opposing the front face so that the display platform forms an opening at its rear beneath the horizontal deck. The support leg is generally parallel to the opposing side faces. The side faces and the support leg are generally perpendicular to the front face and extend rearward from the front face. The length of the support leg is less than the lengths of the respective side faces. The opposing side faces, the front face, and the support leg extend downward by substantially the same extent from the flat horizontal deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Bach, James E. Buchman
  • Patent number: 5577703
    Abstract: There is disclosed a power assisted adjustment system for a power assuming or bearing a load member in a desired condition, comprising an actuator in combination with an adjustment member adaptable for assuming a load, and a hydraulic cylinder for temporarily reducing the load on the adjustment member, thereby permitting adjustment of extremely heavy loads with a nominal input force to the actuator. The actuator is operably engagable with the adjustment means and movable relative to the adjustment member. Electric switch operably connected with the actuator actuates the cylinder between an activating position and non-activating position, thereby permitting adjustment of the adjustment member in response to movement of the actuator in the activating condition. An input force or torque applied to the actuator effects a desired adjustment of the adjustment member. When the input force is stopped or interrupted, the actuator is biased to a non-activating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Vibro/Dynamics Corp.
    Inventor: Sheldon E. Young
  • Patent number: 5577694
    Abstract: A leg block joining system for table is disclosed. An assembly 1 is made of a synthetic resin, and includes opposite side wall plates 3 and 3', a projected edge 2, and supporting guiding portions 4, 4', 5, 5', 6, 6', 7 and 7'. The assembly 1 further includes bolt passages 8, 8', 10 and 10' and tool passages 9, 9', 11 and 11' having small diameters, the two sets of passages being formed in a shape of cross. A leg 14 having a rectangular cross section is provided with tool holes 15, 16 and 16', and bolt holes 17, 17', 18 and 18'. The assembly 1 is inserted into the leg 14, in such a manner that the tool passages and the bolt passages of the assembly 1 should be aligned with the tool holes and the bolt holes of the leg 14. Then connecting beams 19, 19' and 19" are connected to four of the legs 14, and then, upper and lower bolts are tightened into bolt tightening holes 20, 20', 20", 21, 21' and 21", thereby firmly joining the legs 14 and the connecting beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Yaun Hi Lee