Patents Examined by Long Dinh Phan
  • Patent number: 5826841
    Abstract: A prevention and therapeutic support system for body parts susceptible to repetitive strain injury comprising an assembly having a centrally located gel-pack sandwiched between, upper and lower foam layers each having downwardly depending perimeter edges which when placed adjacent to one another form a cavity into which the gel-pack can be placed, the foam layers to to completely encompassing the gel-pack during use, the gel-pack substantially filling the cavity, the gel-pack and foam layers being placed into an outer covering into which maintains the foam in its optimal position around the gel-pack during use, the outer envelope has an opening through which the foam layer and gel-pack can be moved for independent heating and cooling of the gel-pack, the gel-pack being capable of being both heated and chilled, the viscous non-hardening gel material in the gel-pack being able to maintain hot and cold temperatures for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph S. Lavore
  • Patent number: 5823486
    Abstract: A flexible arm apparatus 1 that has a base clamp 10, a support arm 75, an interface attachment 100, and capable of receiving an attachment 131, 140, or 150. The base clamp 10 has a threaded knob 43 that is rotatably secured at two ends and is used to move a second jaw 17 relative to a first jaw 12. The rotation cup 80 is secured into the top of the base clamp 10 with a retainer ring 87. The rotation cup 80 receives a first end 77 of the support arm 75, and a second end 78 is received by the interface attachment 100. The interface attachment 100 comprises a lower interface component 101 and an interface-mid component 102. Changeable attachments 131, 140, and 150 are securable to the interface attachment by use of a pringle 131 or 141. The rotation cup 80 and the retainer ring 87 allow angular rotation of the first end 77 of the support arm 75 relative to the clamp base 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Margaret K. Smith
    Inventors: Margaret K. Smith, Jill M. Duggan, Christopher M. Stalzer, Scott C. Smith, George J. Mowry
  • Patent number: 5823364
    Abstract: A rack for tool bits has many apertures in its horizontal top panel for receiving the drill bits, turning tools, and the like. Each aperture may be provided with a soft plastic bushing to prevent damage to the tool edge. A back vertical panel depending from the top panel is provided with rack supporting mechanisms for removably supporting the rack on the vertical wall of a stationary machine tool. The supporting means may include magnetic elements or preferably keyhole shaped apertures in the back panel that cooperate with shouldered machine screws affixed to the vertical wall of the machine tool. A cork surface on a front vertical panel of the rack may be provided for tacking on memos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Dominic Mucciacciaro
  • Patent number: 5820092
    Abstract: The invention provides a modular assembly kit for constructing a roof mounted support structure, for supporting air conditioners, ductwork, pipes, stacks, lighting and the like. The kit includes standard modular components which can be easily cut to length on site or adapted to any desired configuration with a minimum of preplanning. Each prefabricated module has interconnecting flanges and grooves for joining adjacent modules together in a slidable joint. The slidable joints facilitate positioning of modules during assembly, and set screws releasably lock the sliding joint producing a releasable moment resisting rigid connection between adjacent modules. The modules of the kit include post modules of adjustable height, elongate beam modules of uniform cross-section, and elongate transverse brace modules of adjustable length, and optionally pipe support saddles and beam support brackets. All modules have mating interconnecting flanges and grooves to enable simple assembly and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Ken Thaler
  • Patent number: 5820098
    Abstract: A slant-bed structural frame is provided for a slant-bed machine tool. The structural frame includes a bed element having a first flat surface on which the bed element can be supported in a machining position and a second machined, flat surface that is parallel to the first surface and at least partially formed with the bed element supported on the first surface. The second surface defines a support for an operating component of the machine tool. Additionally, a base element is provided having a third surface. The third surface cooperates with a surface on the bed element to maintain the bed element in an operative position on the base element, wherein the second surface is neither fully vertical nor fully horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Toshiharu Tom Miyano
  • Patent number: 5820048
    Abstract: An improvement for a routing clip is provided by a hinge latch adjacent to the folded hinge portion thereof. The hinge latch includes a male latching member on one side of the hinge portion and a female latching member in a corresponding position on the other side of the hinge portion, both male and female latching members being on one side of the routing clip. When being engaged with the female latching member, the male latching member deflects in a direction transverse to its length to provide a more secure latching mechanism as a back-up to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shereyk, Arnold DeCarlo
  • Patent number: 5816545
    Abstract: The present invention is for an improved stand (2) typically of the music variety. The improvements consist of a stabilizing cam (10) and a compact, centrally located, adjustable position memory element (16). The stabilizing cam (10) may be used in a variety of structures to micro adjust the level of the stand (2) to provide better support and stability. The adjustable position memory element (16) may be used on a variety of devices as well including an articulable support stand such that the support stand can be returned upon reuse to a preselected position from a plurality of preselected available positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Tam-S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Malizia
  • Patent number: 5816363
    Abstract: A device for supporting a paint container on a ladder includes a tang having a lower surface adapted to impinge on a step of a ladder. Extending from one end of the tang is a gripper portion that is formed to impinge on the bottom surface of the step on which the tang impinges, whereby the device is clamped to the step. An arcuate portion extends from the other end of the tang, and is provided with an opening having a diameter dimensioned to receive a paint container, such as a standard bucket. In one embodiment, the arcuate portion consists of a loop of heavy wire formed in a curve to define the opening that supports the paint container. A pair of parallel, linear member extends from the circle are joined to the tang member. The linear members extend past the tang, and include first and second pairs of right angle bends that redirect the linear members retrograde toward the loop portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Marilyn A. Searcy
  • Patent number: 5813636
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for instrument gauge holders which are precision made to fit each gauge properly so they prevent excessive vibration and damage. These holders can easily be properly located to increase the visibility of the gauges, and, importantly, it is not necessary to alter the original factory dash design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Gary W. Lollis
  • Patent number: 5813650
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aseismic support structure having one end secured to a fixed floor and another end connected to a subject structure placed on a floating floor. The aseismic support structure includes a toggle bar, an attachment section and a mounting section. The toggle bar has a universal joint at each end and is adjustable in its length to have a predetermined length. The universal joints are rotatable around axes in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. The attachment section is connected to the toggle bar through one of the universal joints, and has at another end a third universal joint comprising a vertical rotation section. A cantilever extends substantially parallel to the fixed floor, is connected to the attachment section by the third universal joint at one end and has a fourth universal joint at another end. The mounting section is connected to the cantilever by the fourth universal joint and secures the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Suzuki, Akira Suzuki, Katsushi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5813647
    Abstract: A retaining/fixing device is disclosed. It is applicable in a container and a construction site and can be used as a jack. The retaining/fixing device mainly includes a base seat, an outer tube, an inner rod, a rack, a handle, a first claw, a second claw, a resilient plate and a stopper pin. By means of reciprocally lifting and depressing the handle, the outer tube is displaced relative to the inner rod so that the retaining/fixing device is forcedly tightened to a necessary extent. Also, the inner rod can be quickly drawn out or retracted into the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Ming-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 5810319
    Abstract: An apparatus for counteracting vibrations includes a housing for attachment to a vibrating member. First and second bodies are connected to the housing by first and second springs, respectively, with a combined stiffness which defines a resonant frequency at which the first and second bodies oscillate with respect to the housing. Each of the first and second springs include a plurality of rods fixedly connected between a pair of rings. A lever engages the first and second bodies to vary a spacing between those bodies when force from an actuator is applied to the lever. The lever action alters the stiffness of the first and second springs which varies the resonant frequency of the vibration absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas H. von Flotow, Timothy Mixon, Luigi Maggi
  • Patent number: 5799919
    Abstract: An adjustable stand includes an upright carried by a base which facilitates movement along an arcuate path from a vertical position to a horizontal position with a series of intervening lockable positions. The upper end of the upright provides a ball and socket attachment by which an article such as a quilting hoop may be carried and positioned. The operation of the adjustable stand allows force applied to the hoop to be used to vary the position of both the stand and the article relative to the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Marjorie Orr
  • Patent number: 5799847
    Abstract: A tool hanging device having two parts. One part is attached to a tool. The second part is a slotted member which is attached to a support surface such as a person's belt. One of the parts such as the part attached to the tool has a button held to the end of an oblong stud. The slotted member which is attached to the person's belt has a front plate with a V-shaped opening and at the bottom of the V-shaped opening is a throat into which the oblong stud will only fit lengthwise. Below the throat is an enlarged stud holding area. The button holds the stud and thus, the tool, in the slotted member and the tool is permitted to hang freely supported by the slotted member. The tool is removed by rotating the tool 90.degree. from a free-hanging position to orient the oblong stud so that it will pass upwardly through the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 5797581
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and mounting fixtures is described. At least one ring for fitted insertion into a fixture to be mounted is provided. A disc having an opening for receiving a fastening device is provided for each ring. The fastening device is installed through the opening in the disc, then aligned through the ring in the fixture with a pre-drilled hole in the mounting surface, and loosely tightened into the pre-drilled hole. The fixture is then aligned to a desired position relative to the mounting surface, and the fastening device is tightened such that the underside of the disc fixedly engages the ring and the fixture to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Norman Sherman
  • Patent number: 5794902
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a shelf having a grooved surface to a supporting structure. The bracket assembly includes a frame having a support portion which defines a slot for receiving an edge of the shelf. The frame includes at least one attachment leg for securing the frame to the supporting structure. A base plate mountable to the support portion of the frame is provided and includes a hook which seats within the groove when the shelf is inserted in the slot. An arm moveable between a first position and a second position is connected to the hook for releasing the hook from the groove when the arm is urged to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: HMG Worldwide In-Store Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric F. Henry, Jonathan D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5791624
    Abstract: A portable music desk, including a cylindrical container for storing a length of flexible sheet material. The container has a outer tubular wall with an axially extending slot opening, and an internal winding mechanism for retracting the sheet material through the opening, and for allowing a desired length of the sheet material to extend from the slot opening in the outer tubular wall. A strut arrangement braces the sheet material in a flat and steady work position when the material is extended from the container means, so that the material acts as a back rest surface for a music sheet. A telescoping floor stand is adapted to engage the circumference of the container, and to support the container a desired height above a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Roger Malcolm Fedrick
  • Patent number: 5785284
    Abstract: A heating and/or air conditioning installation for a motor vehicle includes a wall having a through hole. A temperature sensor has a heat sensitive element lying in a housing, which may for example be formed in an evaporator of the air conditioning installation. The sensor has protruding connecting wires surrounded by a sheath, and is attached through the hole in the wall by a fastening device. The fastening device comprises a tubular body portion adapted to be removably held fast in the hole, together with a sleeve portion joined to the inside of the body portion and having a passage through which the sheath passes. The sleeve portion has a narrow end which grips the sheath, and a wide end facing towards the heat sensitive element and affording some freedom of lateral movement to the connecting wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Mario Cesari, Pascal Cloteaux, Jean-Pierre Collgon
  • Patent number: 5782440
    Abstract: A system for holding a plurality of low voltage telecommunication cables, or other data transmission cable, together in a compact unit and attaching the cabling to a suspension wire held in tension. The suspension wire secured to various portions of a building structure such as a ceiling, a wall, floor joist, and the like. In a primary embodiment, the system includes at least two anchor eye bolts secured to the building structure in a spaced relationship to each other. An end of the suspension wire is attached a first anchor bolt and a second end of the suspension wire is attached to a tensioning ratchet. A ratchet handle is used for engaging the tensioning ratchet and tightening the suspension wire to a desired tension that will allow the wire to carry data telecommunications cable. Bundle tabs are wrapped around a portion of the cables and the suspension wire for securing the cables together and suspending the cables from the suspension wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: Jane E. Ozga, Sue E. Walker
  • Patent number: 5782367
    Abstract: A device for holding coathangers in an item of luggage, the device comprising a support adapted for attachment to a wall of the item of luggage, a peg axially extending from a first end attached to the support to a second end and a cover attached to the support for selective rotational movement between an open position permitting coathanger hooks to be placed on and removed from the peg and a closed position substantially covering the peg and coathanger hooks thereon, the cover in the closed position cooperating with the peg to define a space enclosing the coathanger hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Delsey
    Inventor: Michel Aumasson