Patents Examined by Sarah C. Burnham
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Patent number: 6877291Abstract: A connection in which an elongated strap or a connector having an elongated strap member is secured by a strap holder. Such straps and connectors are used in a variety of building applications, typically in connections that resist tension forces parallel to the main axes of the straps or strap members. A number of connectors with elongated strap members are in common use with a variety of structural members.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.Inventors: Louay A. Shamroukh, Mark G. Crawford
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Patent number: 6877828Abstract: A storage shelf system for efficiently storing goods in the irregularly shaped area under a flight of stairs. The horizontal shelves include a narrow shelf on top and a deep shelf on the bottom, with any number of shelves with intermediate depths between, such that a line connecting the rearward ends of the shelves forms an angle that corresponds to the underside of the flight of stairs. The storage shelf system includes a handle and wheels for easily maneuvering the shelf system beneath and withdrawing it from under the flight of stairs, webbing for securing goods to the shelf system, fixed undershelves for storing long, thin objects, slidable undershelves for temporarily storing goods while retrieving other goods from the storage shelf system, a fire-proof safe for securely storing valuable or potentially dangerous goods, and advantageously shape shelf compartment inserts for efficiently utilizing substantially all available storage space.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Inventor: Kline Strong
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Patent number: 6871909Abstract: A first chair part may be fixed relative to a second chair part by way of a sliding member attached to the first part which slides in a body attached to the second chair part. The chair parts are fixed relative to each other when a pin associated with the body engages in one of several apertures in the sliding member to fix the chair parts. A bent leaf spring may have an end engaging a collar on the pin. The other end of the leaf spring may be pulled to urge the leaf spring to pivot about a fulcrum created by the bend. However, if there is a force trying to move the sliding member with respect to the body (as may result from a spring between the two chair parts), a consequent shear force on the pin may be sufficiently strong to resist the urging of the leaf spring. In such case, the leaf spring will simply bend when its other end is pulled until the force between the body member and slider is relieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Leggett & Platt LTDInventors: Gordon Dennis Hobb, David Lloyd Hobb
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Patent number: 6871911Abstract: A folding chair having adjustable, telescoping rear legs for use on level ground and sloping terrain. The chair is continuously adjustable by a user while in a seated position, each of the telescoping rear legs housing a biasing means to mechanically assist the user in their adjustment. Easily-deployable clamps are provided to enable a user to adjust the inclination of the seating arrangement with a single hand.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Inventor: John G. Alexander, Jr.
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Patent number: 6869139Abstract: There is disclosed an automotive vehicle seating comfort system for providing heating, cooling, ventilation or a combination thereof to an individual in an automotive car seat. The system typically includes an insert, a blower and a tubular structure for providing fluid communication between the insert and blower for providing ventilation and/or cooling for the individual. Preferably, the insert includes a heater or heater layer for providing heat for the individual.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AGInventors: Lindy Brennan, Goran Bajic, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic
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Patent number: 6860574Abstract: A track device includes a first track, a second track, and a slide-aiding member mounted between the first track and the second track. The first track includes a stop member on a front end thereof. The stop member of the first track and a front end of the slide-aiding member are so configured that the slide-aiding member is retained in place by the stop member of the first track when the second track is removed from the first track. Thus, the second track can be accurately reinserted into the slide-aiding member that is retained in place.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Long Hwang, Chun-Chiang Wang
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Patent number: 6854803Abstract: Furniture capable of being assembled in one way to produce a step stool and in another way to produce a kneeler. The furniture includes a base unit and a lid releasably secured to the base unit to produce the step stool or to produce the kneeler. The furniture includes an armrest and a connecting member. The kneeler is configured for use alongside a bathtub.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.Inventors: Jorge Tomas, Kurt Nygren
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Patent number: 6846041Abstract: A chair includes two armrest units and a leg assembly. The leg assembly comprises a front leg unit having a pair of front legs pivoted to each other, and a rear leg unit having a pair of rear legs pivoted to each other, and being operable to be disposed in one of a folded state and an extended state. Each armrest unit includes an armrest with two opposite ends respectively pivoted to a respective one of the front legs and a respective one of the rear legs. A seat unit is connected to the armrest units. A pair of inclination-preventing members project respectively from the armrest units and abut against the front and rear leg units, respectively, when the leg assembly is disposed at the extended state.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Inventor: Chun-Hsien Tseng
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Patent number: 6840578Abstract: A chair has a seat connected to a support leg in an up and down angularly displaceable manner, elastic elements for propping up a rear end of the seat to a higher position, and a mechanism for limiting position of the seat when the seat seats people; the mechanism has an adjustment rod, a gear turnable together with the adjustment rod, an elastic plate for engaging the gear so as to prevent rotation of the gear when the adjustment rod isn't operated, and eccentric cams for holding the seat at desired position when the chair seats people; the cams can turn together with the adjustment rod, and are each formed with a stopping edge having several sections; thus, the depressed position of the seat, i.e. the position when the seat seats people, is decided by the position of the cams, and the seat can move accordingly when the sitter leans forwards.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Inventor: Wen-Fa Su
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Patent number: 6837540Abstract: In a vehicle occupant restraint system provided in association with a vehicle seat for preventing a vehicle occupant from slipping forward under a seat belt in an impact situation such as a vehicle crash, a pair of support members are provided on either side of the seat frame, and pivotally support a pair of arms across which a cross member extends. The cross member comprises an energy absorbing structure adapted to undergo a controlled deformation under a load occurring as the front part of the seat bottom is raised. The energy absorbing structure may consist of a relatively deformable member wrapped around the cross member or a feature for controlling a mode of deformation of the cross member. When the cross member consists of a pipe member, the energy absorbing structure may comprise a relatively deformable member filled inside the pipe member or perforations formed in the pipe member.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Eiji Shimizu
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Patent number: 6824211Abstract: A head restraint of a vehicle seat has at least one elastically deformable container integrated therein. The container is at least partially filled with filling bodies and gas. An abrupt evacuation of the gas in the event of a crash changes the collision impact characteristics of the head restraint.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Franz Josef Bayer, Matthias Nohr
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Patent number: 6817666Abstract: The present invention is rocking chair rocker cover consisting of an elongated pocket-shaped sleeve that fits snugglely over the entire length of a rocker. The cover has an elongated opening to allow the cover to the fitting onto, and easily removed from, a rocker. In use, the opening is drawn closed over the top of a rocker by closure devices such as elastic cord secured to the opening perimeter and cross ties. The covering material may consist of woven fabric such as readily available quilting, providing a means of easily adding to the aesthestic appeal of the device. To increase protection from contact injury, the cover includes cushioning such as foam rubber or polyester fiber fill captured on or within a flexible covering material. In some embodiments a nonskid element is positioned under the rocker bearing surface to increase friction of the rocker against a floor surface in use.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Inventor: Mary Blount
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Patent number: 6817665Abstract: In order to facilitate child seat installment in a vehicle and to improve performance of a child seat during front impact vehicular collisions, a seat arrangement is provided that includes a seat base into which the child seat can be detachably connected and a load leg pivotally mounted at one end of the base. The load leg is provided with a telescopic length adjustment, which allows the length of the load leg to be adjusted and then to be securely locked at a selected length. The top end of the load leg is provided with a fold latch arrangement which automatically engages when the load leg is rotated from a stored position to an operative one. This arrangement has a push-button type release feature to facilitate easy folding. Alligator clamp-like members (one on either side of the seat base) are provided at the other end of the base to clamp the seat belt, which is used to secure the base to a vehicle seat cushion, and to prevent the belt from slipping in its axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jonathan M. Pacella, Michael L. Longenecker, Jason A. Carpenter
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Patent number: 6817663Abstract: A one-piece highchair cover made out of washable fabric material such as nylon and which is designed to fit over and be retained on a highchair by having side openings to accommodate the respective side arms and/or highchair tray of the highchair, openings to accommodate a fastening means such as a seatbelt to retain the highchair cover on the highchair, and a stretchable rear fastening means such as a strap to retain the back portion of the highchair cover on the highchair, all of which enables the highchair to be fully protected and covered while permitting the baby to aggressively move around in the highchair while being fed and insures that the highchair cover will remain in its position and not expose a portion of the highchair or fall off the highchair during the feeding process. The washable fabric material also enables the removable highchair cover to be easily removed from the highchair so that it can be washed for subsequent use.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Inventor: Joslyn B. Stuart
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Patent number: 6817687Abstract: A clamp for securing a cabinet frame having at least one support member is provided. The clamp includes a body portion configured to be fastened to a supporting surface. The clamp also includes at least one mounting portion coupled to the body portion. The mounting portion defines a recess positioned to at least partially surround a portion of the support member. The mounting portion includes a surface positioned to contact another portion of the support member when the body portion is fastened to the supporting surface, thereby securing the cabinet frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Unisys CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Neeld, Terry W. Louth
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Patent number: 6814406Abstract: A seat vertical position adjusting device includes a driving mechanism equipped to a base plate portion of a seat cushion for driving a cushion frame to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the base plate portion. The driving mechanism includes a shaft having a first axial portion and a second axial portion which is positioned on the first axial portion, and eccentrically rotated relative to the first axial portion, a first internal gear, a second internal gear, and a pinion gear is mounted on the second axial portion. The number of gear teeth of the first internal gear is less than the number of gear teeth of the second internal gear at least by one.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sadao Ito, Genta Moriyama, Naoaki Hoshihara, Hideo Nihonmatsu
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Patent number: 6805409Abstract: An articulated bench comprising a two-section pad attached to a rectangular frame and two folding/pivoting support leg assemblies. The two padded sections are pivotally attached to the frame. Either of the two padded end sections can be pivoted upward and locked at a selectable incline. Either of a length-adjustable I-shaped brace assembly, or alternatively, a U-shaped support assembly fold out of the frame from beneath the longer of the two pivoting, padded end sections (i.e. the section for supporting the upper body) and are inserted into one of a series of catches located on the section's rear surface to hold it at a selectable incline. The shorter of the two pivoting, padded end sections (i.e. the section for supporting an individual's lower body) also pivots upward and a U-shaped support assembly folds out of the frame and is inserted in a pair of surface-mounted catches to maintain the section in an inclined position.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Inventor: James Parker
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Patent number: 6805412Abstract: A stacking chair includes a seat base with the seat cushion supported on the base and a seat back interconnected with the cushion and extending upwardly therefrom. The seat base includes a front member and a rear member. The front member includes a pair of front legs, a pair of generally horizontal lateral side portions interconnected with the front legs, and a transverse portion interconnecting the side portions at their rearmost ends. The rear member is an inverted U-shaped member defining a pair of rear legs and a transverse portion interconnecting the rear legs. The transverse portions of the front and rear members are interconnected so as to form the base.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Burgess Furniture Ltd.Inventor: Peter Simon Roth
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Patent number: 6802579Abstract: A handle assembly having a lock mechanism is provided. The handle assembly includes: a handle grip member movably coupled with a casing of the appliance for receiving a first external force and a second external force, and a lock mechanism coupled with the handle grip member and mounted inside the casing, wherein the lock mechanism locks the handle grip member to the casing when the handle grip member receives the first external force, and unlocks the handle grip member when the handle grip member receives the second external force. The lock mechanism includes: a holding member having a slot thereon, a sliding member having a salient portion thereof, a first spring, and an engaging member, wherein the slot and the salient portion are engaged with each other when the handle grip member receives the first external force.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Fuh Huw-Ching, Liu His An
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Patent number: 6802567Abstract: The invention is a chair having a removable surface (a “skin”), attachments, and a frame with a pair of opposing side members with channels to accept the attachments. The skin comprises cords incorporated into a material that has sufficient resiliency to bear the load of the chair user. The attachments have at least one portion, whereby a portion of the attachments connects to the cords of the skin and a portion of the attachments connects to a side member. The opposing side members have a hollow or grooved channel to accept a portion of the attachment used to connect the attachment to the side member. The skin attaches to the frame through the use of the attachments by, for each side of the skin, sliding the portion of the attachments used to connect the attachment to the side member into the channel of the side member. Replacement of the skin is relatively easy and can be accomplished by unskilled persons by sliding the attachments out of the opposing side members.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Inventor: Earl S. Bell