Patents Examined by Long D. Phan
  • Patent number: 5662297
    Abstract: A shower curtain support rod assembly which mounts between opposing bathtub stall walls which, when installed, allows a shower curtain to be slidably movable in an inward and outward direction with respect to the longitudinal edge of the bathtub, thereby creating more space for a shower taker. When a shower is not in progress, the shower curtain can be slid inward thereby creating more space in the remaining bathroom area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventors: James Richard Christensen, Kenneth Tarlow
  • Patent number: 5657956
    Abstract: A thrust bearing for bearing a load along a force vector includes at least two roller elements in rolling contact with one another and arranged along the force vector such that the load is borne through the roller elements. The roller elements are retained within a retainer such that they remain aligned along the force vector while subjected to loads. The retainer used to house the roller elements may be designed to abut the roller elements at minimum points of contact, or alternatively to distribute the load borne by one or both of the roller elements across a greater surface area. One application of the preferred thrust bearings is in an apparatus such as a keyboard support for reducing repetitive stress injuries. A main disk is rotatably coupled to a base and supports a support member on a plurality of the thrust bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Idea Development, Engineering and Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Smith, Robert J. Crosson
  • Patent number: 5624007
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for the insertion and removal of rod-type tree steps having vertically spaced apart first and second horizontally disposed sections extending oppositely from a vertically disposed central section. The device has a body portion including a handle and an opening for removably receiving therein the second section of the tree step. A lock member is selectively positionable with respect to the body portion so as to intrude into the opening therein and restrain unwanted movement of the second section of the tree step. A guide slot provided adjacent the upper and of and opening away from the body portion removably captures the central section of the tree step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Marvin Mahaffy
  • Patent number: 5603476
    Abstract: A filter holder assembly is provided for the optional holding in a motor vehicle at a dust filter alone or a dust filter and an absorption filter which is optionally arranged directly downstream of the dust filter. A frame lower part is provided which either holds the dust filter or the absorption filter. When the frame lower part holds the absorption filter, a frame upper part which holds the dust filter is releasably arranged upstream of the frame lower filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Helmut Merk, Alfred Jeckel, Thomas Dietterle