Patents Examined by Kofi Schulterbrandt
  • Patent number: 6523311
    Abstract: A window which comprises a hollow mullion plastic extrusion and a metal insert. The plastic extrusion is of a general T-shape having a hollow head portion and a hollow foot portion connected by a hollow stem portion which is open to both the hollow head and foot. The metal insert is of general T-shape having a head portion of the plastic extrusion, a stem portion to extend through the hollow stem of the plastic extrusion to support same and a foot portion to fit within and expand the hollow foot portion of the plastic extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Royal Group Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Ronal Fredrick Edger
  • Patent number: 6520457
    Abstract: A collapsible device for supporting a disposable plastic bag is provided. The device includes a hoop having at least one tab that extends from the hoop to engage and retain a plastic bag supported within the hoop. The tabs engage and retain the bag mouth by friction. The device may include one or more legs to support the hoop above the ground. The device may also include a second hoop slideably connected to the legs to add additional support. The second hoop may include a collar and the legs may include corresponding stops. When the collars are slid along the legs and rest on the stops a bend may be created in the legs which prevents the collars from sliding away from the stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: Melvin W. Yardley, Kevin S. Yardley, Michael A. Yardley
  • Patent number: 6513773
    Abstract: An Improved Structure wall-mounted articles hanger that addresses the shortcomings of conventional wall hanger mount structures and in which the top and bottom sections of a mounting fixture of predetermined design (such as a hemispherical body) have respectively disposed an anchoring hole as well as a recess that provides for the fitting over of a cover. A round opening is formed in the top section recess and after its alignment with a threaded hole through a swing slot horizontally formed along the center of the said mounting fixture and an insert hole formed in the inner end of a hanger member, a bolt is inserted and fastened, and various objects are then clipped to or suspended from the outer end of the hanger member. As such, a single mounting fixture accommodates the installation of different application hanger members that are pivotable and interchangeable and, furthermore, the said hanger members are capable of remaining stationary or rotated to a desired angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventors: Ching-Yi Chang, Ching-Chih Chang
  • Patent number: 6513768
    Abstract: A lock for a guitar stand includes a connecting housing (10), a locking housing (20), two arms (201), two lips (23) and a resilient element (21). The locking housing (20) is movably connected to the connecting housing (10). Each of the two arms (201) extends from opposite ends of the locking housing (20) and a passage (202) is defined in each arm (201) to rotatably receive a shaft (22). Each lip (23) securely connected perpendicular to one free end of the shaft (22). The resilient element (21) is compressibly mounted in the locking housing (20) between an inner face of the locking housing (20) and a base rod (12) extending out from the connecting housing (10) to provide a recovery force to the locking housing (20) to return the locking housing (20) to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6511027
    Abstract: The water dispenser stand with storage provides a top platform which is configured to support a ceramic water jar which receives an inverted water bottle on top thereof. There are water bottle holders between its legs for storage of water bottles which are not in use. The structure is configured so that it may be shipped disassembled. The legs may be made of metal or wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Y. Yu
  • Patent number: 6511039
    Abstract: A collapsible computer platform assembly for use with a notebook or portable computer, wherein the computer platform assembly comprises a platform having a first surface and an opposite second surface, and a support arm assembly for supporting the bottom surface of a computer. The support arm assembly comprises at least one base portion extending from the second surface of the platform and at least one adjustable arm assembly connected to the at least one base portion. The present invention also includes within its scope a platform assembly that is slideably connected to the base portion. The adjustable arm assembly may be rotatable relative to the platform. The platform assembly may also include a mousing surface or a wrist rest pad on its first surface. It is further understood that the support arm assembly may further comprise at least one leg extending from at least one of the adjustable arm assembly and the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James E. Nash
  • Patent number: 6511033
    Abstract: A rotation locker stand for outdoor umbrellas includes a rotor, which is rotatably disposed in a chamber of a base housing, including a rotor axial socket for securely and uprightly holding a shaft of the outdoor umbrella, and an actuator for detachably and selectively engaging with the rotator in such a manner when the actuator is engaged with the rotor, the rotor is in the lock up position, when the actuator is disengaged with the rotor, the rotor is adapted for freely rotating along the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Wanda Ying Li
  • Patent number: 6508451
    Abstract: An accessory support apparatus for a hand held electronic device to provide hands free use and stability thereof includes a connector bar and a support member that are attachable by integrally formed coupling members. In a first preferred embodiment the support member is in the form of a support stand that is attachable to the connector bar and includes a leg and a bracket portion and a hinge portion located therebetween to provide for relative movement of the leg with respect to the bracket portion. In a second preferred embodiment, the support member is in the form of a bracket bar that is attachable to a desired surface so that when the connector bar is coupled thereto, the hand held electronic device is maintained in a fixed position on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: Paul R. Blythe, Michael P. Marshall
  • Patent number: 6508452
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting an electrical device on trunking includes an electrical device support and a skirt. The mounting device includes a support shaped to nest in grooves of the trunking and a skirt incorporating two upstanding rims that engage in the grooves and are designed to immobilize the support longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Planet Wattohm
    Inventor: Marc Destruel
  • Patent number: 6499711
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly wall bracket for mounting an operable dispensing assembly to an essentially vertical surface. The bracket includes a base fixable to the vertical surface, and defining a plane which is substantially parallel to the vertical surface when the base is fixed thereto. A fitting is fixed to the base, and has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet defines an axis substantially parallel to the plane, and the outlet defines an axis which intersects the inlet axis. At least one support arm extends from the base, and has a proximal end fixed to the base and a distal end. A receptacle is supported by the support arm distal end, and aligned with the outlet axis, wherein a dispensing assembly having an inlet received in the receptacle is positioned for connecting the dispensing assembly inlet to the fitting outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Hans Hubmann, Elizabeth Anne Slater, Matthew Egerton Young, Reuben Wu
  • Patent number: 6497397
    Abstract: First hook portions (15) are formed at front end portions in a side of an opening portion (12e) of a main body portion (12a) in a long lower rail (12), and second hook portions (17) are formed in lower portions of both side portions (12b) in the main body portion (12a). First engagement portions (18) engaged with the first hook portions (15) in the long lower rail (12) are formed in upper walls (13d) in an upper rail (13). Projection portions (18a) are formed in the first engagement portions (18) so as to protrude to the side of the first hook portions (15). Second engagement portions (19) engaged with the second hook portions (17) in the long lower rail (12) are formed in front end sides of both side portions (13b) of the main body portion (13a) in the upper rail (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Fujimoto, Tomonori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6494427
    Abstract: A trimmer line carrier for use with a string trimming mower includes a tubular container having an open end for carrying individual strands of replacement trimming line. A removable cap is coupled to the container for selectably covering the open end. The container includes clamps capable of releasably attaching the container to a handle bar of a string trimming mower. A plurality of guide flanges defining respective apertures are positioned longitudinally along the container outer wall to receive a selected strand therethrough. Linear scale indicia and corresponding graduated numerical indicia are imprinted on the container adjacent the guide flanges such that a strand received through the flanges may be measured using the indicia. A cutter is positioned at one end of the container for cutting a strand of trimming line to a desired measured length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Larry B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6488252
    Abstract: A process of making a foldable, portable bookstand on which readers may place their reading material. When folded, the bookstand appears to be a single oblong piece. When unfolded, the side view of the bookstand resembles the letter “X”. The bookstand is made from two top pieces and two bottom pieces. The spine of a book may be placed along a space between top pieces. The bookstand is made by providing two bottom pieces having tapered extensions and two top pieces having tapered extensions and adjoining the extensions of corresponding bottom and top pieces, preferably with dowels. The advantage of the present invention is that the bookstand may be simply and economically made of four separate pieces using dowels, yet maintain the appearance of a product which has been carved from a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Zafar Y. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 6488241
    Abstract: A plastic bag holder (10) for installation on a cabinet door (200) wherein the holder (10) comprises a mounting unit (11) including an inverted generally U-shaped bracket member (20) dimensioned to receive the top (201) of a cabinet door (200) and a support unit (12) formed integrally with the mounting unit (11) and including a generally C-shaped bag support member (40) having a base portion (41) and a pair of mirror image outwardly projecting curved support arms (42) (42′) having a generally cruciform cross-sectional configuration over a substantial portion of their respective lengths; wherein the opposed ends of the support arms (42) (42′) define a front opening in the support unit (12) that is dimensioned to allow the passage of the upper end (101) of a plastic trash bag (100) to pass through said front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jason Kyte, Patrick Mercier
  • Patent number: 6488246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wire type apparatus for hanging a vacuum cleaner capable of easily storing a vacuum cleaner and other parts of the same. The wire type apparatus for hanging a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a main wire having a wall hanged clip at a certain portion and forming a body by bending a wire and including a wrinkled pipe hanging member for hanging a wrinkled pipe at a lower portion, a skirt wire welded to a certain portion of the main wire and forming a certain space for receiving a surrounding portion of the vacuum cleaner by bending the wire, a support wire for supporting the skirt wire and a lower portion of the suction port at a lower portion of the skirt wire, and a connection pipe hanging member having an end portion connected to a reinforced wire of the main wire and connected with the hanging member for supporting the connection pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Conet Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Young-So Song
  • Patent number: 6484987
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for adjustably supporting an object about one or more axes. The bracket may include a support member that is pivotally attached to a mounting member such that the support member may be selectively pivoted about a first pivot axis relative to the mounting member and thereafter releasably locked in that position. Adjustment components may be provided to facilitate controlled pivotal travel of the support member about the first pivot axis and which non-movably retains the support member in a desired position as the locking members are locked. The bracket may further comprise an antenna mast support member that is pivotally attached to the support member for selective pivotal travel about a second pivot axis relative to the support member and thereafter releasably locked in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy H. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6478284
    Abstract: A holder (10) in accordance with the present invention includes a base (11) for supporting a fan (50) thereon, a pair of first shields (14) extending vertically upwardly from the base, and a second shield (15) extending vertically upwardly from the base opposite the first shields. The base forms a flange (16) and a resilient tab (18) at respective opposite sides thereof, for abutting opposite side walls (52) of the fan. Each first and second shield forms a sill (26, 27), for abutting a top surface of the fan. The fan is thereby easily and firmly secured to the holder, the holder being securely attached to a computer enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision In. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao Hua Qiu
  • Patent number: 6478277
    Abstract: A sanitary mount or stand for a container having a two-component construction with a platform for supporting the container. The platform is detachably connected to a support base which constitutes a barrier interfering with the path of insects which would normally follow a path leading to the contents of the container. The support base includes a circular barrier defined between an outer wall and an inner wall channel which may serve as a moat for holding a quantity of liquid or a sticky substance. The container may include a downwardly depending shoulder or stud and a threaded shank or pin and slot attachment which is wherein engagement of the shoulder with the support base provides a separation between the underside of the food container carrying platform and the support base that cannot be traversed by the insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Richard J. Winquest
  • Patent number: 6478265
    Abstract: A hose reel is mount on a post so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Carl L. Leach
  • Patent number: 6467744
    Abstract: A parts and power tool holder is provided for mounting to an automotive lift wherein the automotive lift may be raised and completely lowered without having to remove the parts and tool holder from the lift. It is comprised of a tray having a bottom surface and a substantially vertically extending sidewall which forms a tray for the automotive parts, small tools and the like. A mounting bracket is mounted to a back portion of the sidewall for mounting of the tray to a lift arm. A holster is provided for hand held power tools formed on the tray adjacent to at least one of the two side portions of the sidewall. The bracket positions the tray such that the tray including the sidewalls is no lower than a plane corresponding to the bottom of the lift whereby the lift may be raised and completely lowered without removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Adrian Calin