Patents Examined by Michael Nornberg
  • Patent number: 6045109
    Abstract: A device designed for temporarily mounting an object to a tubular rod holder. The device consists of a pair of engagement sleeves, each having an inclined plane defining one end. The engagement sleeves are oriented such that the inclined planes complementarily engage one another. A rod extends axially through the engagement sleeves, being fixed to one of the engagement sleeves and extending beyond the end of the other engagement sleeves for supporting an object. When a nut is tightened to force the two engagement sleeves against one another, the inclined planes cause the cylinder to shift laterally and firmly engage the inner wall of the tubular rod holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: James S. Mashburn, Jerry P. Mashburn
  • Patent number: 6042071
    Abstract: A fuel cylinder attaching structure in a motorcar can cope with a large expansive deformation of the fuel cylinder and fixedly support the fuel cylinder surely. The structure comprises a pair of front and rear supporting frame members fixed on a car-body; a fixing band fixed to the front and rear supporting frame members, wound round the fuel cylinder; and both ends of the fixing band connected to each other with a spring interposed, positioned on a vertical bisection of a line segment extending between the front and rear attach-supporting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Ryutaro Shinohara, Yutaka Kanaguchi, Tooru Wako, Shinya Murabayashi
  • Patent number: 6042063
    Abstract: A bag rack (10, 110, 210) including a base (12, 112), side walls (18, 20, 114, 116), a back wall (22, 118) and a pair of L-shaped bag support arms (32, 160, 162). Side walls (18, 20, 114, 116) are releasably joined and secured to back wall (22, 118) by the upright legs (30, 146) of bag support arms (32, 160, 162) by means of a series of interlocking, aligned slots (26, 28, 142, 144). A rear slot (42, 172) is provided between back wall (22, 118) and base (12, 112) to allow the bottom edges of a multiplicity of bags carried by a hook (37, 156) to extend back of base (12, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Handle Helper, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan F. Kerr, Peter D. Dieterich, Jr., Roy K. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6039292
    Abstract: A wrist rest assembly has a base with a first end, a second end, and a pivot post mounted on the base near the first end. A tray has an elongated slot that receives the pivot post to allow movement of the tray about the pivot post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Fellowes Manufacturing Co
    Inventors: Howard L. Danzyger, Karenann Brow, James Caruso, Timothy Hibbard, Steven McPhilliamy, Michael Thuma
  • Patent number: 6036152
    Abstract: A container holder is described having a support member (9) that is both pivotally and slidingly attached to a frame (14) attached to part of the body structure (13) of a motor vehicle. The support member (9) is moveable from a stored or concealed position to an in use position by a combination of sliding and pivotal movement with respect to the frame (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rover Group Limited
    Inventors: Ian Hiscox, Alan Francis Sheppard
  • Patent number: 6036149
    Abstract: A hanger which accommodates walls made of gypsum boards of varying thickness while allowing heavy items to be hung from the hanger. The hanger features a front plate, a backing plate and a hanger-screw. The item to be hung being suspended from the hanger-screw. The hanger is inserted into a perforation or hanger opening in the gypsum board. The hanger is introduced into the hanger hole so as to allow the backing plate to rotate about the hook of the front plate. The front plate is then pulled toward the user until the backing plate contacts a back wall of the gypsum board. The front plate is then bent in a direction so as to be substantially parallel to the backing plate and the gypsum board and so that complementary attachment holes in the backing plate and the front plate align so that the hanger-screw can engage both sets of holes. The hanger-screw is engaged into the backing plate and front plate and the gypsum board up until the stop portion of the hanger-screw abuts the front plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Gilberto Del Pino, deceased
    Inventors: Gilberto Del Pino, deceased, by Yolanda Elizondo Morales, administrator
  • Patent number: 6032913
    Abstract: A computer mouse support comprising a mouse-supporting pad in a generally rectangular configuration. The pad is formed of an upper component of a semi-rigid foam and constitutes about seventy percent of the thicknesses of the pad with an exposed upper surface adapted to receive a computer mouse and with a lower component of a soft foam secured to the lower surface of the upper component for constituting a resilient surface positionable on a user's lap or leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: James E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6032918
    Abstract: An improved multi-functional stand that uses a swivel device and a hinge to allow a display unit to be adjusted in any angle relative to the stand. The stand has a speaker and has connections on a rear portion of the stand housing for both a power cable and a plurality of signal cables. The cables are connected to an interface circuit board and the power and image signals are then transferred to the main circuit board through a cable that runs through the stand and is inserted into the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 6021985
    Abstract: A mechanism for supporting an auxiliary surface for vertical movement relative to a primary surface includes a pair of link elements having opposite ends pivotally connected to auxiliary and primary surface mounting elements or brackets, a first bias for opposing downwardly directed swinging movement of the link elements relative to the primary surface mounting element, a second bias for opposing pivotal downwardly directed movement of the auxiliary surface mounting element relative to the link elements, and a locking mechanism for releasably constraining swinging movement of the link elements and pivotal movement of the auxiliary surface mounting element. The locking mechanism features a roller and an operator arranged to engage with the roller when moved into a locking position to effect clamping together of the link elements and the auxiliary surface supporting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Weber Knapp Company
    Inventor: Christopher T. Hahn
  • Patent number: 6021987
    Abstract: A trash container support bracket has a circular angle bracket base with flexible support arms extending upward there from. Each flexible support arm has an arcuate top portion that accommodates easy coupling with the upper rib portion of trash buckets having upper rib portions formulated to add strength and durability and to accommodate attachment of handles. The flexible support arms are configured to exert a radial inward force against a trash bucket contained therein, thereby firmly retaining the trash bucket in the trash container support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Francis J. Shimota
  • Patent number: 6019334
    Abstract: A cup holder of the invention is attached to a panel or console of a vehicle. The cup holder is basically formed of a case with an inclined opening and a recessed portion extending downwardly from the opening, a lid formed of first and second lid portions, a link connected to the first and second lid portions, and a spring device connected between one of the first and second lid portions and the case to rotate the one of the first and second lid portions to at least one of the open and close directions. The first and second lid portions are pivotally connected to opposite sides of the case for covering the opening. The first and second lid portions have open positions for revealing the opening, and closed positions for covering the opening. Also, the link is connected to the first and second lid portions so that when one of the first and second lid portions is moved, the other of the first and second lid portions is moved in association therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Shinomiya
  • Patent number: 6019337
    Abstract: A Lockable Stand for Trailers is disclosed. The preferred stand comprises an upwardly-extending pedestal assembly terminating in a head assembly that is configured to lockably attach to a trailer tongue. The preferred head assembly will further include a detachable ball for accepting the trailer tongue and a pair of vertical side brackets through which a removable tongue lock extends to prevent the tongue from being removed from the ball. The stand is very compact for convenience, while also being stable to prevent trailer roll-away. In another preferred form, the pedestal assembly is height-adjustable to accommodate a variety of trailer styles and designs. The pedestal assembly might also be made from two telescoping pieces that can further be disassembled for storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Roland Brown
  • Patent number: 6019335
    Abstract: A bottle holder, for personal transportation of a flexible plastic beverage bottle, has a horizontal upper portion, an inclined intermediate portion and a vertical lower portion that can be molded in one piece from plastic. The intermediate and upper portions are configured with an oval slot that is dimensioned, at its first end located in the intermediate holder portion, to accept the neck of a bottle which is then slid into place into a smaller-sized support area at the second slot end located in the horizontal upper holder portion, where the bottle becomes supported by the neck ring resting on the support area of the holder. The lower portion of the holder is configured in an inverted U-shape with two parallel arms having parallel horizontal gripping ribs on the interfacing surfaces of the arms, for clipping the holder onto a user's belt, or other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Shahbaz Sehati
  • Patent number: 6015123
    Abstract: A mounting bracket permits mounting a camera base for a video surveillance camera to a variety of different support structures. The mounting bracket includes first and second outside corner panel sections for defining a concave right-angled structure to selectively be fitted to an outside wall corner, first and second planar panel sections for defining a substantially planar structure to selectively be fitted to a planar wall section, first and second inside corner panel sections for defining a convex right-angled structure to selectively be fitted to an inside wall corner, and first and second attachment panel sections to permit attachment of the camera base to the mounting bracket. The first and second outside corner panel sections are connected to the first and second planar panel sections, respectively, which in turn are connected to the first and second inside corner panel sections, respectively, which in turn are connected to the first and second attachment panel sections, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Sergio M. Perez, Walter N. Yap
  • Patent number: 6015127
    Abstract: A belay and rope apparatus for suspending and storing various articles such as bicycles and sports equipment includes a belay member which has a vertical axis and includes a top portion having a first rope aperture and a second rope aperture, a medial portion connected to the top portion defining a first hook-shaped element having an arcuate base with a third rope aperture, and a bottom portion connected to the medial portion defining an arcuate cleat element with a fourth rope aperture, each of the rope apertures preferably disposed along the vertical axis. The user may insert ropes through or around the apertures in the belay member(s) to suspend the members from an overhead support such as a rafter or ceiling joist, so that he may then suspend a bicycle or other article(s) in the hook portion of the belay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Jackson M. Carr
  • Patent number: 6012689
    Abstract: A combination accessory container and safety device, or safety ladder accessory container, is designed to be mounted over the top of a ladder and in particular of an A-frame ladder. The safety ladder accessory container comprises a domed top and at least one side container. The domed top sits on the top platform of a ladder and can be mounted to the top platform. The safety ladder accessory container can also comprise a front wall, a back wall and a front platform. The front wall and back wall each extend generally downwardly from the domed top and are either fixedly connected to or integrally formed with the domed top. The front platform extends generally horizontally from the front wall, rests on a step of the ladder, and is fixedly attached or integrally formed with the front wall. Each side container can be fixedly attached to or integrally formed with either the domed top or with the front wall and back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Frank J. Sisca
    Inventor: Frank J. Sisca
  • Patent number: 6007038
    Abstract: An apparatus for tilting and swiveling a display monitor using a remote controller is provided. A tilt member detachably connected to the bottom surface of the display monitor is supported on the top surface of a swivel member. A plurality of guide blocks and an arcuate rack gear member are provided on the bottom surface of the tilt member. The guide blocks are accommodated in grooves of the swivel member to guide tilt movement of the tilt member relative to the swivel member. A motor moving back and forth by a solenoid device is mounted on the swivel member. A swivel member is provided on the end of the motor shaft so as to be engaged with a stationary gear member fixed on a vertical shaft of a base member. A tilt gear member is driven by the motor only when the motor moves backwards by the solenoid device and rotates the rack gear member of the tilt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Goo Han
  • Patent number: 6003828
    Abstract: To prevent tilting or bending of a large mask frame holder and at the same time to prevent distortion when the mask holding frame is attached to a support base by ball plungers in three of the four corner areas of a mask holding frame that engage V groove bodies which face the ball plungers on the surface of the base, compression springs are provided in those three corners which pre-stress the mask holding frame toward the support base while a compression spring is provided between the remaining corner area of the mask holding frame and the base which acts in a direction pressing the mask holding frame away from the support base, thereby preventing the mask holding frame from bending or tilting. As an alternative, in each of the three pre-stressed corner areas of the mask holding frame, instead of a compression spring, an elastic attachment component in the form of a bracket with spring-like legs mounted to the supporting component can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kawahashi, Hiromi Kai
  • Patent number: 6003825
    Abstract: An adjustable device for hanging a wire-supported object on a wall device comprises a first bar for attachment at to the wall in a horizontal position, a second bar perpendicular to the first bar and having a hook or hooks for accepting a wire secured to the object to be hung, and a connector with channels that hold the bars for sliding movement relative to each other. The first bar is secured to the wall at its ends and then the connector can be moved horizontally along the first bar and the second bar can be moved vertically within the connector. This permits the object to be positioned at precisely the desired position even after the hanger device is secured to the wall, unlike conventional devices that must be removed from the wall for repositioning. A spring-loaded pin on the connector is accepted into openings in the bars to lock them into the position that places the object on the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Henry H. Abernathy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6000668
    Abstract: A video display screen is held by an elongated holding bracket that has a inwardly extending flange at a distal end of the bracket. The flange fits into a groove extending along the edges of the screen to hold the screen. The bracket is fastened to a support structure. The interior surface of the bracket is advantageously inclined at an angle so the interior surface does not block the light from the projected image, and also has a plurality of grooves to reflect any light incident on the surface away from the screen. In further embodiments, the flange comprises a removable channel section that extends on opposing sides of the screen to hold the screen, with the channel being held against the bracket by a leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: ADF Incorporated
    Inventor: Louis A. Mannick