Patents Examined by Leslie Braun
  • Patent number: 6789774
    Abstract: A retention device for retaining a post adjacent a structure having at least one guardrail. The device includes a spacer member with generally opposed spacer first and second ends, an anchoring member for anchoring the spacer member to the structure, and a grasping member for grasping the post to the spacer member. The anchoring member releasably connects to the spacer member adjacent the spacer first end via a first securing assembly so as to clamp the guardrail there between. The grasping member releasably connects to the spacer member adjacent the spacer second end via a second securing assembly so as to clamp the post there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Maurice Painchaud
  • Patent number: 6789556
    Abstract: A folded umbrella frame has a plurality of units each comprising a second pivot mechanism, a first pivot mechanism fixed to the lower rib, a first pivot connecting member pivotably coupling to the first pivot mechanism, a second pivot connecting member receiving the upper rib and pivotably coupling to the second pivot mechanism and a steel rod hooking the second pivot connecting member and the first pivot mechanism together. The spreader passes through the channels of the second pivot mechanism to receive in the first bore of the first pivot connecting member. The invention effects a smooth folding by employing no rivet and a reduced size after folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan You
  • Patent number: 6786462
    Abstract: The RV sewage line stabilizing device is used to secure an elbow fitting, affixed to the end of an RV sewer hose, in place in a sewer receptacle. A bottom plate has a U-shaped collar formed in one end, and an open, three-sided box formed on the other end. The RV sewage line stabilizing device lays generally flat in close proximity to the ground, with the U-shaped collar fitting around the vertically extending portion of the elbow fitting. The U-shaped collar may rest on top of a flange formed around the elbow fitting, or a retaining strap may be secured over the horizontally extending portion of the elbow fitting to hold the elbow fitting down and in place. The open, three-sided box holds a brick, or other weights, in place to provide weight to secure and stabilize the elbow fitting, keeping the sewer hose in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Leslie N. Bland
  • Patent number: 6786460
    Abstract: A combination carrying strap and support stand for a golf bag is used both for carrying the bag around a golf course, or as a stand for the bag when not being carried. The combination, having an open end and a closed end, utilizes a flexible strap section, attached to a pair of linear supports, the section capable of flexing in one direction only. The flexible strap section is made up of a series of identical link elements, a flexible bottom band, to which each link element bottom is contiguously affixed, and a flexible upper band, to which each link element is slideably attached. The upper band attaches to and activates a pair of support legs, attached to the flexible strap section at it lower end, which allows the bag to stand independently. A lower linear support which rotatably attaches to the golf bag allows the strap/stand to remain in either storage mode or operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: David Scott Kelly
  • Patent number: 6786338
    Abstract: A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: David Caplan, Charles E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6786461
    Abstract: A computer armrest includes an elbow supporter, a mouse pad and a connect arm. The elbow supporter and the mouse pad are movably connected with the connect arm so as to freely turn with the position of the elbow or the palm. The elbow supporter can be adjusted more than 90 degrees by means of the connect arm and also bent downward to be collapsed under a computer table not to lake any space on the table in case of not using.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Horng Sheng Lih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Tai Tsai, Hui-Ping Chou
  • Patent number: 6786017
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention employ a modular room including a plurality of modular room components (e.g., anchor assemblies, upright assemblies, etc.). These anchor assemblies and upright assemblies can take different forms permitting assembly of a modular room or modular structure in different manners, and in some cases provide for interchangeable interior and exterior wall panels and components. In some embodiments, a bracket assembly is coupled to an substantially vertical elongated upright for improved strength and stability. Preferably, the anchor assembly has a base plate with at least one edge at an angle with respect to the rest of the base plate for additional strength. If desired, the vertical position of the upright with respect to the base plate can be adjusted. In some embodiments, one or more overhead trusses are used to stabilize the walls of a modular room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6782904
    Abstract: A rain shield device includes a housing for attaching onto various vehicles, and a shield extendible out of the housing for shielding the upper portions of the doors of the vehicles and for allowing the drivers and the passengers to easily open or receive the umbrella while boarding or moving out of the vehicles. The shield may be extended out of the housing with two links and two racks and a motor. A shaft is rotatably received in the housing for winding and receiving the shield, and may be rotated relative to the housing by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Tseng Ping Tien
  • Patent number: 6783104
    Abstract: Stiffener apparatus for stabilizing a hanger rod includes a clamp having a mechanical fastener extending through openings formed in spaced clamp segments. The clamp is constructed of deformable material so that the clamp segments bend into engaged with a stiffener member extending along the hanger rod. Tightening of the mechanical fastener urges the stiffener member into tight engagement with the hanger rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Steven A. Roth
  • Patent number: 6783100
    Abstract: A support for electrical conductors, optical fibers, gas tubes, etc., having an elongated base, portions at each end of the base extending towards the front of the support, each end portion containing an aperture oriented perpendicular to the length of that base and lying parallel to the base. The support has a plurality of U-shaped recesses with openings facing the front to form a fluted link. A plurality of the fluted links can be arranged into a flexible carrier belt by inserting wires through the apertures to hold the fluted links adjacent to each other with adjacent ones facing in opposite directions. During assembly of the carrier belt, the conductors, fibers or tubes, etc., to be supported are fitted into appropriate U-shaped recesses that provide support for those items. The flexible carrier belt provides conductor connections between a stationary part and a rotatable part of an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen as Represented by the Minister of National Defence of Her Majesty's Canadian Government
    Inventor: Alain Cinq-Mars
  • Patent number: 6783105
    Abstract: An adjustable display arm includes a telescoping assembly for positioning an electronic component in a plurality of vertical positions. The adjustable display arm is maintained in a plurality of vertical positions in the absence of upward or downward forces applied thereto by a counterbalancing assembly. Further, the adjustable display arm can be releasably locked in any one of a plurality of vertical positions using a locking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Odd N. Oddsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6783103
    Abstract: A device for supporting a container having a wire handle and a sidewall on a support structure is disclosed. The device includes a pair of spaced apart side members, with each of the side members having an upper portion adapted to engage the support structure and a notch sized to receive the wire handle. A central portion of the device is disposed between the side members, with the central portion defining a receiving area sized and shaped to receive the container such that the receiving area engages only the sidewall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Theodore R. Salani
  • Patent number: 6783305
    Abstract: A pile based braced caisson structural support device includes a number of legs. These legs are configured in a teepee type configuration such that the footprint of the base is larger than the footprint of the opposing end. This structural support can be used as a base for an offshore drilling platform in that the support reduces the lateral forces on the support caused by wave action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Keystone Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph A. Hall, Ralph L. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6783106
    Abstract: A wall article hanging device includes a hanger body and a prong element. The hanger body is adapted to attach to the rear of a wall article, and contains opposing slots to receive the prong element. The prong element facilitates attaching the wall article to a wall surface. The prong element is separable from the body element to ease handling of the article prior to article hanging. The hanger body can be used without the prong element for hanging a wall article using items such as a nail and wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Renny Barnes
  • Patent number: 6779765
    Abstract: A mounting device configured for attaching electronic devices, such as radar detectors, to sun visor or to a windshield. The mounting device includes a clip portion for securement to the sun visor and attachment points for a pair of suction cups for securement to the windshield. The mounting device further includes a pair of relatively pivotal bracket members configured for adjusting the angular orientation of the mounting device and the inclination angle of the electronic device. The bracket members have a latched condition in which rotation is prevented and an unlatched condition permitting relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Beltronics USA Inc.
    Inventors: Yusan Zheng, Glenn Douglas Martinson
  • Patent number: 6779768
    Abstract: A fan support bracket which includes a first member having a proximal end and distal end portions, a second member extending from and hingedly connected to the proximal end of the first member, wherein the second member can be displaced angularly from the first member; and manually operable clips individually rigidly mounted upon the distal end portions of the first member, and a free end of the second member, for attaching these ends to the back end or grill of a box fan, for safely and securely retaining the fan at a desired angle to control the path of the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel E. Ferre
  • Patent number: 6779769
    Abstract: A multi-purpose holder for supporting an object in a vehicle includes a first support member defining an opening for receiving an object. The first support member has a first contact surface for supporting an object. A second support member is pivotally mounted on the first support member, and preferably has a second contact surface spaced apart from a third contact surface. The second and third contact surfaces further support the object. The second support member is pivotal so as to alter the position of the second and third contact surfaces such that the second and third contact surfaces support, in cooperation with the first contact surface, objects having different diameters. The second support member includes a pair of support arms. The support arms are spaced apart a distance and define substantially parallel support surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robb York, James E. Carl
  • Patent number: 6779771
    Abstract: A dual extrusion hinged sign hanger hangs from the ceiling and holds signs, banners, posters, and any other sheet type of display material. Display material can be easily changed within a smooth non-damaging holder portion which opens for free non-friction insertion of the display material. The closure has flexible tabs on one side and a smooth flexible curved surface to hold the display material against the tabs. The closure acts perpendicularly to the display material with a snap together closure that does not come in contact with the display material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventors: John Ostrovsky, Geoff Borg
  • Patent number: 6779764
    Abstract: A mounting device or post for supporting an electrical fixture or box-mounted electrical device in an outdoor setting. The post provides an internal electrical box that may be configured by the installer as a standard size electrical box or a large electrical box capable of accepting several electrical devices. The top of the electrical box is integral with the top of the post and includes a mounting assembly for an electrical fixture, thereby allowing an electrical fixture to be mounted on the post with all wiring connections contained within the box. An opening in the side wall of the post provides access to the electrical box and is typically provided with a removable cover that is secured thereto. Electrical receptacles, switches, ground fault circuit interrupters or similar devices can be mounted in the box opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 6776378
    Abstract: A water dispenser stand includes a floor stan having a storage chamber and an opening communicating with the storage chamber and with the outside, a frame for supporting a water bottle on top of the floor stand, and a storage arrangement supported within the storage chamber of the floor stand, wherein the storage arrangement includes a front holding bracket having an arc-shaped positioned at the opening of the storage chamber for substantially retaining an upper portion of the water bottle when the water bottle is received in the storage chamber, a rear stopper arm spaced positioned below the holding bracket, and a guiding body inclinedly extended from the holding bracket to the stopper arm for guiding the water bottle to slide into the storage chamber until a bottom side of the water bottle is stopped at the stopper arm so as to inclinedly support the water bottle in the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Charles Y. Yu