Patents Examined by Ramón O. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 7681858
    Abstract: A preloading and flex resistant support board for a mechanical machine comprises a support board body and at least one preloading bar. The support board body is formed with at one preloading groove in the side subjected to the compressive stress. The preloading groove is provided with two resisting surfaces. The preloading bar is also provided with two resisting surfaces. The preloading bar is assembled in the preloading groove of the support board body by screw, so as to provide a balance between the preloading capacity produced by preloading bar to the support board body and the flexing stress produced by the support board body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventor: Chi-Pin Chou
  • Patent number: 7681851
    Abstract: A retractable hook device that has a hook mounted on a housing. The housing is to be securable to an exterior surface. The hook is pivotable between a retracted (stowage) position and an extended (usage) position. A release plate is mounted on the housing. The release plate can be in either an outer position or an inner position. When in the outer position the hook can be locked in either the extended position or the retracted position. When the release plate is in the inner position, the hook is pivotally movable between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Lana M. Osterholt, Gerald R. Osterholt
  • Patent number: 7677514
    Abstract: The invention is an equipment support bracket that can be secured to a vehicle frame without drilling holes. The top bracket has a top tang that fits over the top web of the frame. A bottom bracket has a bottom tang that secures against the bottom web. Once installed on the frame, tensioning bolts tighten the top tang against the top web. In one embodiment, the equipment can be first attached to the support bracket and then the support bracket with equipment attached is positioned between the top bracket and the rail of the frame. In another embodiment, the equipment bracket can be attached to an I beam frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Safety Pumping Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David Palmer
  • Patent number: 7673840
    Abstract: A supporting arm for a projection apparatus has first and second arm sections and an articulation apparatus therebetween for interconnecting the arm sections. The projection apparatus can be fastened on a free end of the second arm section. The articulation apparatus permits the second arm section to rotate relative to the first arm section between a first position, in which the longitudinal axes of the arm sections run substantially mutually parallel, and a second position, in which the longitudinal axes of the arm sections run substantially mutually at right angles. A spring apparatus is coupled to the arm sections and has a spring force selected to compensate for a weight force of the second arm section and of the projection apparatus fastened thereon over substantially an entire rotational excursion of the second arm section relative to the first arm section. A presentation apparatus having the supporting arm is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: VS Vereinigte Spezialmoebelfabriken GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Weber, Friedrich Korte
  • Patent number: 7673835
    Abstract: Systems and methods for covering a trough member. A cover system can include a static portion coupled to a side wall of the trough member and defining a pocket. A sliding portion is selectively received in the pocket and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. Opposite side walls of the trough member each include a static portion, and a sliding portion which telescopes to provide access to an interior of the trough member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Lindquist, Derek Sayres, Chris Eiden
  • Patent number: 7669806
    Abstract: A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7669829
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cradle device designed to be connected to a portable terminal which is provided with a connector at an upper part thereof for external electrical connection and with grooves formed at four corners of the outline to be held by means of the grooves. The cradle device has a structure to allow the portable terminal to slide so that the grooves formed in the connector portion and the portable terminal body can be securely engaged. The cradle device also has a rotate and slide mechanism in the face thereof opposing the connector, and has a structure to ensure reliable engagement with the grooves formed in the portable terminal body. Thus, the portable terminal cradle device is easy to carry, small-sized and superior in mechanical reliability, equally to the base unit, or the portable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinobu Ogatsu
  • Patent number: 7669810
    Abstract: A variable revolving position device capable of facilitating revolving as well as providing a stable support for the display device at the same time. The variable revolving position device comprises a base, a revolving axle and a normal force providing device. The base includes a housing and a bottom, and the revolving axle includes a load bearing end and a friction block, wherein the housing has at least a first friction surface set correspondingly against a second friction surface formed in the upper surface of the friction block. The friction block is disposed in the housing, and is capable of moving along the axis up and down as well as revolving variably. The normal force providing device is disposed between the friction block and the bottom, where the normal force providing device provides a normal force pushing the friction block upwardly along the axis so that the second friction surface contacts the first friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chin Fu Chiang, Chih-Kang Peng
  • Patent number: 7669818
    Abstract: The invention employs a clamp securable to a baby carriage, highchair, stroller, car seat, table or baby carrier, attached to one end of a tether of a length short enough so that the tether cannot accidently wrap around an infant's or child's head, whose opposite end employs a hook-and-loop adhesive strap of a length long enough to allow wrapping around the toy whose falling is to be restrained, or inserted through various openings of the toy to prevent it from falling to the floor or ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Tiffany M. Prime
  • Patent number: 7669827
    Abstract: The present invention features a kit for hanging string lights. The kit comprises a bracket and a mounting tool. In some embodiments, the bracket comprises a first plate having a first edge and a second edge, a second plate extending upwardly and along the first edge of the first plate, a third plate extending upwardly and along the second edge of the first plate, and a hook disposed on a surface of the third plate that extends in a direction away from the second plate. In some embodiments, a mounting tool comprises cup member attached to a pole. The cup member comprises a base member having a first end and a second end, a first arm attached to and extending outwardly from the first end of the base member, a second arm attached to and extending outwardly from the second end of the base member, the first and second arm extending outwardly in the same direction relative to the base member, and a pole attaching to and extending downwardly from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Remberto D Urrutia
  • Patent number: 7669817
    Abstract: A reversible mounting bracket for mounting an article such as a loudspeaker is disclosed. The reversible mounting bracket in a first configuration is adapted to mount the article substantially flush to an upright mounting surface and in a second configuration, wherein the mounting bracket is reversed in orientation with respect to the article, the mounting bracket is adapted to mount the article to a mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Krix Loudspeakers Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Jon Peter Scott
  • Patent number: 7665791
    Abstract: In a seat sliding device having a lock mechanism disposed within an inner space defined by an upper rail and a lower rail, to tilt a lock lever from the inner space toward the outside of the rails, a torsion bar 40 is used as urging means for urging the lock lever 31 in the lock mechanism 30. When an operation lever 50 is in its inoperative state, the lock lever is urged by torsional force of the torsion bar in its locking direction, claws 32 are fitted into engaging holes 11a and 21a, from the inside of the lower rail 10 and upper rail 20 toward the outside of the rails, to be placed in its locking position. When the operation lever is operated, the lock lever is tilted against the torsional force of the torsion bar, the fitted state with the claws being fitted into the engaging holes of both rails is released, to make the upper rail movable relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Masatoshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7665698
    Abstract: An articulating support assembly includes a first segment and a second segment. The first and second segments are disposed adjacent to one another. A first mating surface is defined on the first segment and a second mating surface is defined on the second segment. A tensioning assembly is operatively connected to the first and second segments such that the tensioning may be selectively operable to bias the first mating surface and the second mating surface into contact with one another thereby holding the first segment in a predetermined static orientation with respect to the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Anton/Bauer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander P. Desorbo, Carl Hultman, James Markland
  • Patent number: 7661636
    Abstract: An combined bottle holder and activity center apparatus for an infant is provided. The apparatus generally comprises at least one mounting strap portion having upper and lower ends; a holding ring portion disposed at a lower end of the mounting strap portion; a support strap portion coupled to at least one of the mounting strap and holding ring portions; and, a plurality of interactive elements coupled in manipulable manner to at least one of the mounting strap and holding ring portions. The holding ring portion defines a looped receiving space for a base portion of a feed bottle. The support strap portion includes an engaging member for retentively engaging a forward portion of the feed bottle. Each of the interactive elements is thematically configured with visual and tactile distinction one from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Julie Burke
  • Patent number: 7661643
    Abstract: A mount system supports a monitor against a supporting surface such as a wall. The mount system allows the monitor to swing open adjacent to one of its edge and extends the monitor away from the wall so that the edge of the monitor does not hit the wall. A motor or a linear actuator may be used to move the monitor through a motorized action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: CLO Systems
    Inventor: Sung I. Oh
  • Patent number: 7661641
    Abstract: The present invention provides a medical equipment transfer system in which the medical equipment is transferable between alternative support bases. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes first and second support bases and an equipment carriage. The equipment carriage defines a first locking assembly for selectively locking with the first support base and a second locking assembly for selectively locking with the second support base and is simultaneously engageable with the first and second support bases via the first and second locking assemblies. An actuator is operable to simultaneously unlock the equipment carriage from the first support base and lock the equipment carriage to the second support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Linvatec Corporation
    Inventors: Jean T. Y. Wong, Jonathan Levesque, Vincent Carbonneau Martel
  • Patent number: 7661642
    Abstract: A motorized mount system includes first and second mount brackets, where one or both of the mount brackets is motorized to pivot a monitor. The motorized bracket includes a motorized actuator system that releaseably engages with the monitor. The actuator system includes a moving block that releaseably pushes the monitor to tilt up, and uses the weight of the monitor to tilt down the monitor. The monitor can be separated with the moving block so that if a foreign object gets between the bottom end of the monitor and the wall, the foreign object needs to counteract the weight of the monitor but not the force due to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Clo Systems
    Inventors: Sung I. Oh, Ken Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7658359
    Abstract: A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Jones, Kurt Heidmann, Todd Andres
  • Patent number: 7658358
    Abstract: A rotatable base apparatus for use with a hose reel enclosure. The base comprises an upper and a lower portion. A bearing is located in between the upper and lower portions and allows the portions to rotate with respect to each other. The bearing can comprise balls mounted in sockets in the lower base portion which ride in a track in the upper base portion. Clips are provided on the upper base portion to secure the hose reel enclosure thereto. This arrangement allows the user to remove the hose from the reel in any direction without the danger of the hose reel enclosure tipping over. The hose reel enclosure will rotate to the direction in which the hose is being removed. It also allows the hose reel enclosure to rotate to the direction that the hose is being wound onto the reel. This prevents the hose from being unevenly wound onto the reel, i.e. piling up on one side of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Lyle A. Rosine, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: 7658355
    Abstract: The invention provides a support arm for an apparatus, preferably for a display screen, comprising a first fastening part for attachment to a frame or a wall, a first member, at one end coupled to the first fastening part and at another end coupled to a first pivot joint which allows rotation about a first axis of rotation, a second member which, at a first end, is coupled to the first pivot joint, and, at a second end, is provided with a second pivot joint which allows rotation about a second axis of rotation, a second fastening part for attaching the apparatus to the support arm, coupled to the second pivot joint, the first and second axes of rotation essentially being parallel to one another. The second fastening part is connected to a substantially L-shaped third member via a third pivot coupled to the second pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: S & B Systems B.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Jan Stoelinga