Patents Examined by Robert W. Gibson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6568545
    Abstract: A hanger bar structure to span across the upper portion of a wardrobe shipping carton that is used to transport garments hung on hangers, particularly new garments shipped from manufactures. The hanger bar is rectilinear with a plurality of slots on its flat upper surface. The size of the slots, the spacing between the slots, and the arcuate shape of the wire hooks at the tops of the hangers is such that a group of garment-laden hangers can be hung at one loading and then slid along the top of the bar to drop individually into slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: RHE Container Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Feder
  • Patent number: 6564950
    Abstract: A detachable holder is provided having a frame with a pair of outer longitudinally extending wire portions, a pair of inner longitudinal wire portions extending substantially the length of the frame and substantially parallel to the pair of outer longitudinally extending wire portions. The detachable holder also includes a plurality of support units securably attached to the frame, and a plurality of movable wire loops each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is movably secured between the pair of outer longitudinally extending wire portions and the pair of inner longitudinal wire portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Harry Holms AB
    Inventor: Leif Holm
  • Patent number: 6564953
    Abstract: A display stand for presenting consumer merchandise and for controlling the aesthetic appearance of the merchandise includes at least three elongated corner posts which extend along a substantial portion of the vertical dimension of the stand, with each corner post having at least two pair of slots, each pair facing toward an adjacent corner post such that opposing slots on adjacent corner posts are positioned and dimensioned to receive vertically-extending and parallel first and second panels which may be used to control the appearance of the display, or present different types of merchandise as seasonally required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Capo, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Ascik
  • Patent number: 6561362
    Abstract: A wire rack device (10) for supporting and displaying a plurality of stacked funnels (12) in a manner and an orientation which facilitates easier and more convenient consideration, removal, and replacement of one or more of the funnels (12) by customers while shopping and by employees while stocking. The device (10) broadly comprises two sidepieces (16,17); a forward crosspiece (18); a faceplate (20); two legs (22,23); and a centerpiece (24). In a preferred embodiment, the sidepieces (16,17), the crosspiece (18), and the legs (22,23) are constructed of a single length of wire appropriately bent. Similarly, the centerpiece (24) is also be constructed of a single length of wire appropriately bent and welded to the legs (22,23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Jim Cummins
  • Patent number: 6557711
    Abstract: A shelf attachment display unit includes a tray, a hanger bracket and a placard each made from a blank of corrugated cardboard. The tray blank is folded to form front, back, bottom and end walls and the back wall has a pair of vertical slots therein. The hanger bracket is folded to form a brace extending laterally behind the back wall and having arms at its ends. The arms define channels opening in the direction of the brace and tabs extending away from the brace having upwardly opening notches for engagement with the slots in the back wall of the tray. The channels are sized to receive an edge of a shelf member and the brace is positioned to contact an underside of the shelf member when the shelf member is in the channels so as to cantilever the shelf display unit to the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventor: Bevan E. Grueneberg
  • Patent number: 6557310
    Abstract: A wall system and particularly a load-bearing spine wall defined by rigidly connected spine panels which are usable in conjunction with and connectable to branch panels for defining workstations. These spine panels include an interior frame having plural hollow cross beams rigidly joined between parallel uprights. The cross beams have elongate slots extending lengthwise along the sidewalls thereof. Each side of the frame permits one or more removable covering tiles to be attached thereto for defining the exterior surface of the spine panel. Load-bearing components having cantilevered hangers can be engaged within the elongate slots which extend lengthwise of the cross beams. Vertically adjacent tiles have longitudinal edges spaced to define a narrow elongate passage therebetween which aligns with the mouth of a respectively adjacent hanger-accommodating slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Smed International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Marshall, Darren R. Long, Rodney Vallas, Jim Thompson Goodchild, Robert E. Steeves
  • Patent number: 6554142
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a rack system includes a pair of arm assemblies that include an arm with reversible brackets on either end of each arm. The arm assemblies attach to the rack rails and support a component such as a server. The brackets are formed to selectively rotate with respect to the arm between a first position and a second position. In the first position the brackets are operable to interface a rack system rails that have a first interface type. In the second position the brackets are operable to interface rack system rails that have a second interface type. This allows the arm assembly to be installed in different types of rack systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Randolph D. Gray
  • Patent number: 6550623
    Abstract: A rack for the transport of thin wall parts such as automotive body panels stampings has a steel frame with two parallel channels positioned on either side of a planar floor member. Each channel has a series of parallel slots which receive tabs extending downwardly from parallel plastic leaves. The leaves are restricted from removal from the rack by rods which extend through the frame beneath the channels and through rod openings in the tabs. The plastic leaves are of two types having side structures which do not nest. Because the leaves are not hinged to the floor member, they will stay in either position due to gravity. The non-nesting leaf side structures permit a plurality of leaves to be flipped from one position to the other simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Wilbert, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Cook, Jamie E. Noble, Randall B. Vest
  • Patent number: 6547084
    Abstract: A replenishable merchandising display requires the product to be displayed for sale be loaded into modular receptacles at the manufacturer and that a merchandising display for receiving the modular receptacles be shipped to a retailer. The retailer then loads the modular receptacles containing product into the merchandising display and eventually replenishes the merchandising display once the product is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Cindy A. Bauman, Edward Zogg, Gaylynn F. Durkin, Gary W. Schum
  • Patent number: 6547083
    Abstract: A portable cue holder comprises a bag having a strap attached at one end. The bag is filled with a discrete material such as lead pellets. The relatively heavy lead pellets will allow the bag to conform to any substantially horizontal surface. The combination of the strap and the relatively heavy lead pellets functions to support the cue in a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Connie J. Zummo
  • Patent number: 6547085
    Abstract: A storage rack for hockey sticks comprising a frame, a base, and at least one transversely extending support member, a retaining member being pivotably connected proximate said support member and being moveable between an open position to permit hockey sticks to be placed in a storage position on the rack and a closed position wherein the retaining member prevents removal of the hockey sticks from the storage rack. The storage rack is preferably transportable and includes a storable stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Florent Belisle
  • Patent number: 6543630
    Abstract: A drying rack attachable to a dryer door including a rack portion. A pair of suction cups are secured to the rack portion. The pair of suction cups allow the rack portion to be removably coupled with an interior surface of a dryer door of a clothing dryer whereby the rack portion is orthogonally disposed with respect to the dryer. A pair of support stoppers are secured to the rack portion disposed below the pair of suction cups. The pair of support stoppers serve to facilitate support of the rack portion with respect to the dryer door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Hope
  • Patent number: 6543627
    Abstract: A shelf construction includes a shelf unit adapted for mounting on a vertical surface. The shelf unit has a transverse slot extending along the length of the slot. Devices having a base dimensioned for removable mounting in the slot are also provided. One or more of the devices may be an electrical device, in which case the base includes electrical contacts which align with electrical contacts provided in the slot. The slot electrical contacts are connected to an appropriate power source, such as a line-operated transformer or power pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Dana Schiavo
  • Patent number: 6540093
    Abstract: A window shelf system includes a pair of elongate shelf mounting tracks, each track defining a plurality of notches. An upper support arm is attached to the back side of each track adjacent a top thereof, each upper support arm having a downwardly extending flange for insertion between an upper trim molding segment and a wall such that the mounting tracks may be hung from the trim typically mounted to a wall above a window. Shelf support arms releasably mate with the notches for selectably determining a height for supporting a shelf board thereon. Length-adjustable lower support arms are attached to back sides of respective tracks adjacent a bottom thereof for displacing lower ends of the tracks from the wall. Each mounting track includes a telescopic support leg which may be extended to support the weight of the system and articles placed on the shelf board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Cindy A. Shumway
  • Patent number: 6540092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an storage adapter used for engaging and supporting the stock/frame assembly of both the Contender® or Encore® brands of Thompson/Center Arms, Inc.® firearms. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stock/frame assembly is stored in a vertical position above the floor of the gun cabinet/safe through the use of two individual components: (i) a novel storage adapter and (ii) a storage receiver which was previously-disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/705,081. The storage adapter component is comprised of a first end and a second end. The storage adapter engages, supports, and secures the stock/frame assembly by making use of the hinge pin of the firearm and a securing means (preferably a securing strap) to secure the stock/frame assembly to the second end of the storage adapter. The storage adapter, by use of a hanging means (preferably a hanging pin) in its first end, is then placed into (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: On Target Technologies
    Inventor: Michael A. Sirois
  • Patent number: 6536611
    Abstract: A wrench suspension rack assembly has a suspension base including two spaced protrusions on a side thereof and a wrench support rack for holding a plurality of tools. The wrench support rack includes a first side and a second side. Two spaced through-holes extend from the first side to the second side of the wrench support rack. The protrusions of the suspension base are respectively extended through the through-holes to thereby allow removable attachment of the wrench support rack to the suspension base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Ander Chen
  • Patent number: 6536609
    Abstract: A device suitable for dispensing a plurality of like articles therefrom, the device characterized as having a plurality of columns for storing and dispensing the articles, each column having a front opening for dispensing the articles and a bottom side for holding the articles, each column having resilient spring means for biasing the articles towards the front opening of the column, the improvement being a tilt ramp attached to the front opening, wherein the ramp is at a decreased angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Lake
  • Patent number: 6533128
    Abstract: The CD box holder comprises a substantially flat base plate. A shelf is formed at the bottom to vertically support the CD box. At the top a push panel in combination with a locking panel are rotatably mounted. To utilize the Invention, the bottom edge of the CD box is inserted on the shelf and the top is pushed into the holder until it is held securely in place by the locking panel. To remove the CD box, the locking panel is rotated up and the push panel pushes the CD box out from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: James M. Beneway
  • Patent number: 6533130
    Abstract: A display rack for displaying displayed items can be an opaque cabinet with a light source located in the opaque cabinet. The cabinet has a transparent light pipe having a light accepting end and a light emitting end, connected by a light conducting body having an index of refraction that transmits light from the light accepting end to the light emitting end. The cabinet has at least a first tray having an item display portion for holding the displayed item and a second tray having an opaque bottom wall and an opaque front portion configured to operably connect the light accepting end of the transparent light pipe to the light source and maintains the light emitting end of the light pipe in a position where the light emitted by the light emitting end illuminates the card holding portion of the first tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cormark, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Padiak, Thomas M. Conway
  • Patent number: 6533133
    Abstract: A test tube rack a top tray bridging and jointing a bottom tray set, having several rows of inserting holes for and receiving cups for test tubes. Through holes are disposed on a flexible sandwich plate on the upper portion of the bottom tray set. When inserted, the test tubes may be depressed or placed gently with various heights for convenient selecting, temporary storing or further conducting the screening and distinguishing tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jun-Tai Liu