Patents Examined by Michael J. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6474760
    Abstract: A multi-function drawer for a desk that provides multiple and adjustable platforms (easel, gaming, and sliding) to mount gaming devices, a keyboard, books, papers, or other objects in use at a desk or workstation. These separate and rotatably platforms allow several items to be attached to a drawer for use at the same time and multiple positions for the platforms to maximize a desk or workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Rodney Rauls
  • Patent number: 6467856
    Abstract: A modular display unit that includes a center section having a vertically disposed frame for supporting a series of shelves and a display counter on either side thereof and having cabinets secured to the frame at either end of the end section which also contains a series of shelves and a display counter. The cabinets are secured to the frame by universal fasteners so that the end cabinets can be removed from the frame and mounted in a back-to-back configuration using the universal fasteners. A pair of end walls are also provided for closing both ends of the center section when the cabinets are removed, again employing the universal fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Oneida, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Chang, Larry R. Enochs, Mark R. Hernick, Christopher T. Rich
  • Patent number: 6460955
    Abstract: A cabinet for a refrigerator is formed from a twin sheet thermoformed panel (1) divided into a plurality of wall sections, (8, 9, 10) by seams (6) where the twin sheets (2, 3) contact. The panel is folded to form the rear (10) and two side walls (8, 9) of a refrigerator cabinet, and top end cap and a base plinth are fitted to retain the walls in position. Refrigeration system components are carried on the base plinth. The walls (8, 9) and back (10) are secured by having their upper and lower edges (25, 30) fitted within peripheral channels (28, 29) on the top end cap (20) and the base plinth (21). Additionally they may be further secured by fusing contacting portions (65, 76) of the inner sheet of the panel in the region adjacent folded seams (6). The panel is preferably filled with rigid insulating foam while still supported on the thermoforming mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Stewart Vaughan, Daniel Witten-Hannah
  • Patent number: 6454371
    Abstract: A pull-out slide is used for fastening a drawer sliding bottom on a side wall of a stationary furniture body. The set has a carrying rail which can be connected with a holding part. The holding part can be fixedly connected with a furniture body. In addition, the set includes at least one slide rail which can slide with respect to the carrying rail, and which can be connected with the drawer sliding bottom. The carrying rail can be locked by a releasable locking mechanism on the holding part, in order to restrict movement in the direction of the carrying rail. The locking mechanism can lock the carrying rail onto the holding part, either in a first direction and/or a second direction, each direction being perpendicular to the carrying rail. Unlocking of the locking mechanism permits removal of the carrying rail and drawer sliding bottom as a unit from the holding part. The pull-out slide set with the sliding bottom is easily and rapidly mounted and demounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Paul Hetttich GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ralf Müterthies, Stefan Rüter, Carsten Meyer, Gerhard Schröder, Jörg Aufderheide
  • Patent number: 6450596
    Abstract: An interlocking device for drawers, especially for three or more drawers, comprises a plurality of units and each unit further comprises a channel, a base plate, two rotary blocks and a connecting bar. The channel is elongated with two bent lateral sides. The base plate is joined to an end of the channel. These two rotary blocks are oppositely disposed and rotatably fixed to the base plate. Each of rotary blocks is composed of a lower block part and an upper block part extending outward from the lower block part. The connecting bar at an end thereof rotatably engages with the rotary block, and the other end thereof rotatably engages with another rotary block on an adjacent unit. When one of these drawers is opened, slide rails at the outer side thereof move outward in the channel to push rotary blocks rotating outward. Thus, rotary blocks on other units rotate due to the movement of the connecting bar such that other drawers are prevented from slipping outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Nan Juen Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suntiago Lee
  • Patent number: 6447082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subrack (1) for industrial electronics. The front and/or rear edge of a cover sheet (4) and that of a base sheet (6) are formed by edge-folding for fixing a specially configured angular strip (12). This enables known module rails to be integrated with the cover or the base and means that said module rails can be produced from sheet steel, which significantly reduces the production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Schroff GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Haag, Michael Joist, Klaus Kern, Paul Mazura
  • Patent number: 6447083
    Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerator having an insulated cabinet and a pull-out bottom drawer with an insulated door. The door is mounted to the end of a pair of telescopically extendable guide rails having a rail portion mounted inside the cabinet. A pair of mounting brackets mount the door to the guide rails in a manner that permits the door to be adjusted vertically and horizontally relative to the cabinet. The mounting brackets each have a side plate with four spaced apart apertures positioned adjacent vertically enlarged aligned apertures in the guide rail and through which pass threaded screws. A locking nut is threaded onto the screw to lock the bracket in place relative to the guide rails during assembly. The vertically extending enlarged apertures permit the bracket to be adjusted vertically relative to the rail. The mounting brackets each including a front plate extending inwardly at a right angle from the side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Don Chiapetta, Samir Atalla
  • Patent number: 6443545
    Abstract: A drawer construction that may be quickly assembled without tools or separate hardware, including opposed side walls having a drawer bottom support and retainers for receiving and holding down opposed front and rear walls, and a drawer bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hafele America Co.
    Inventor: Axel G. Woerner
  • Patent number: 6443076
    Abstract: A collapsible table assembly for easier storage and transport of a portable table. The collapsible table assembly includes a pair of table end panels. Each of the table end panels comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The collapsible table assembly also includes a plurality of table support sections. Each of the table support sections comprises at least a pair of cross-bars that have a pair of ends removably couplable to each of the end table sections. A table seat section comprises a panel that has a hole extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the hole has a size and shape designed for removably receiving the top portion of the end table panels therethrough. A tabletop section comprises a panel that includes a pair of ends and a pair of elongated slots extending therethrough for removably receiving a portion of the table end panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Lee Roy Case, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6443542
    Abstract: A cabinet system includes first and second cabinets each including first and second side walls, upper and lower rectilinear frames extending between the side walls at vertically spaced-apart locations therealong and weldments connecting the upper and lower frames to the side walls to form a rigid housing. A pair of spaced-apart locating holes are formed in the side wall of the first cabinet adjacent to the lower frame thereof and an additional locating hole is present in the first wall of the first cabinet adjacent to the upper frame thereof. Further, a pair of spaced-part locating pins are provided in the second side wall of the second cabinet adjacent to the lower frame thereof along with an additional locating pin in the side wall of the second cabinet adjacent to the upper frame thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Lindquist, James F. Staples, Richard E. Olson, Robert M. Mondor, Phil Tousignant, Kenneth D. Ganon
  • Patent number: 6443544
    Abstract: A slidable drawer compartment has parallel side members with elongated bores on the bottom edge therein to slidably receive a support rail. A horizontal slot on the inner side of the side member extends the full length of the side member. The edges of a bottom member are received in the horizontal slot. Also, the inner sides of the side members have vertical slots at each end of the side members that dwell in a substantially vertical plane. A pair of panels are received in the vertical slots of the side members engaging the ends of the bottom member to close the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Astoria Industries of Iowa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Wolf, Jack D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 6428122
    Abstract: A portable containment system includes a glovebox apparatus, a self-contained filter unit, and removable conduits extending therebetween. The glovebox apparatus includes a first module for releasably covering a first sidewall opening. The first module, which has body and flange portions, has a storage position where the body portion is positioned through the first sidewall opening into the glovebox interior and an operative position where the body portion is positioned exterior of the glovebox. The glovebox apparatus includes second modules for releasably covering a second sidewall opening where the second modules are smaller than the first sidewall opening for inserting the second modules into the interior of the glovebox for storage. The filter unit includes a plurality of gas filters, an air pump, and detectors for monitoring the air flow through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Charles E. Henry, Monica J. Heyl, Dennis J. Reutter
  • Patent number: 6422672
    Abstract: An appliance garage with a front panel having left and right side frame members supported in spaced relation by a front panel member extending between the top portions of the left and right side frame members; each of the right and left side frame members including an angled projection extending away from the front of the front panel; a tambour door connected at each respective front side thereof to a respective right and left side frame member; left and right side panel members each having a channel extending substantially the length of the front edge portion and to engage the respective projection of the left and right side frame member so that the side panels extend angled from the tambour door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: FAS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Floyd A. Searer
  • Patent number: 6415723
    Abstract: A folding table or desk includes a table top, a pair of spaced apart legs, and a wire management structure pivotably mounted to the table top and located between the legs. The wire management structure includes a front panel assembly having an opening, and an access member is pivotably mounted to the front panel assembly for movement between an open position, a closed position and a collapsed position. The front panel assembly can be folded against the underside of the table top and the access member can be pivoted to its collapsed position relative to the front panel assembly, and the legs are foldable over the wire management structure to provide a compact envelope for the folded components of the table assembly. The front panel assembly includes a cross brace member which is engageable with the legs when the wire management structure is in its operative extended position, to impart rigidity to the table assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kopish, Timothy J. Bouche
  • Patent number: 6412889
    Abstract: An organizer for orientation of desk top items includes a frame, having a front, back and two sides, for receiving a plurality of modules, orienting the modules vertically within the frame between to two sides and enabling access to the modules from the frame front and a plurality of modules and a bracket for attaching one of the frame sides to a generally vertical surface. The bracket includes a body for engaging the frame, a bendable tab extending from a top of said body for attaching said body to a top of the computer monitor, and a rear tab, hingeably attached to a rear of said body, for attaching said body rear to a side of the computer monitor, the hingeable attachment enabling stabilization of the body rear at a spaced apart relationship with the computer monitor side. One of the modules may include interface connections for contact with a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Stomp, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hummell, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Holowatch, Kevin Topp
  • Patent number: 6409290
    Abstract: A drawer fastening device is disposed on a drawer. The drawer fastening device has a lock device, a connection plate, a slide plate, a plurality of hooking plates, a plurality of pivot pins, and a positioning frame. The positioning frame has a plurality of slide slots and a plurality of enlarged holes. The slide plate has an upper end groove and a plurality of through holes. Each hooking plate has an upper distal hook and a lower blocking bar. Each pivot pin fastens the positioning frame, the hooking plate and the slide plate together. The lock device has a positioning seat, a driven plate connected to the positioning seat, and a mount connected to the driven plate. The connection plate is fastened in the mount pivotally and the connection plate is connected to the driven plate. The slide plate is connected to the connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: San Jye Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 6401631
    Abstract: A folding table is provided with a foldable leg structure. The legs fold between a first working position and a second stored position. As the legs move towards the stored position, a pair of wheels associated with the legs structure are moved into operative position, enabling the table top to be rolled easily to storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Falcon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kane, Brian Graham, Mark Kapka
  • Patent number: 6394567
    Abstract: A modular drawer system for mounting a movable drawer within a cabinet having a floor includes a drawer having a bottom and side walls. Rollers are mounted to and extend from the side walls. Two guide rails adapted to receive the rollers to mount and guide movement of the drawer are secured to a continuous base plate. The guide rails are fixed in a substantially parallel relationship at a fixed spacing substantially equal to the spacing between the rollers. The system includes means for securing the base plate to the cabinet floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Herb Welch
  • Patent number: 6394566
    Abstract: A storage riser for mounting atop a work surface has an open-front wall structure including rear, side and top walls and a bifold door assembly for closing the front opening. The door assembly has an upper panel hingedly connected to the front of the top wall and a lower panel hingedly connected to the bottom of the upper panel for pivotal movement between a vertical, unfolded, closed position and a non-vertical, folded, open position disposed in the storage compartment adjacent to the top wall. Coupling brackets respectively project inwardly of the compartment from the opposite sides of the lower panel adjacent to its upper end, the brackets respectively carrying guide rollers which respectively roll in channel tracks on the side walls. Opening of the door assembly is assisted by gas springs, respectively disposed adjacent to the side walls and having cylinders pivotally coupled to the coupling brackets and rods pivotally coupled to the side walls adjacent to the lower end of the front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Slivon, Jack A. Parise, Kenneth C. Happ, Gordon A. Putney
  • Patent number: 6386657
    Abstract: An enclosure system, for a wire shelf structure, that includes a plurality of generally rectangular resilient flat panels that snaps into the side openings of the wire shelf structure without tools and generally without the need for fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Carrie Marie Frifeldt