Patents Examined by Sarah Purol
  • Patent number: 7992729
    Abstract: A storage unit having a back panel, a top panel attached to the back panel, a bottom panel attached to the back panel, a pair of opposing side panels attached to the back, top and bottom panels so as to define a housing having an interior, and a plurality of shelf members positioned within the interior of the housing and arranged in a vertically oriented fashion. The shelf members are removably mounted to the back panel and opposing side panels. The storage unit further comprises a plurality of divider members removably positioned between (i) each pair of consecutive shelf members, (ii) the top panel and an uppermost shelf member and (iii) the bottom panel and a lowermost shelf member. The divider members define a plurality of compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments function as drawer-receiving spaces wherein each drawer-receiving space is sized for receiving a corresponding drawer. Each divider member can be repositioned to provide compartments of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Platt and LaBonia Co.
    Inventors: Vincent LaBonia, Jr., John Szalan, Brian Moulder, Peter Corrado
  • Patent number: 7987998
    Abstract: A greeting card display includes an upper tier and a lower tier positioned below the upper tier. The upper and lower tiers include multiple rows of pockets for displaying greeting cards. The pockets of the upper tier typically present greeting cards in a full-facing manner to display the full face of each greeting card. The pockets of the lower tier typically present greeting cards in a partial-facing manner. The upper tier can include a card highlighter positioned along one of the rows of pockets and having pockets to present and highlight cards placed therein. Shadowboxes capable of displaying a greeting card in a full-facing manner can be positioned above the upper tier on the display and are designed to attract the attention of the consumer. A display panel, designed to evoke emotions associated with greeting cards in the shadowboxes, can be positioned between one or more of the shadowboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Cathy Belk, Jeffrey Weiss, Thomas H. Johnston, Steven Willensky
  • Patent number: 7987997
    Abstract: A mattress display is provided. The mattress display includes a base frame built of angle bars for supporting a mattress. A handle mounted to the base frame facilitates manipulation via wheels mounted to the frame. Signage can be mounted to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: West London Graphics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Glogovsky, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7988000
    Abstract: A merchandising system includes a display fixture placed on a floor in a retail environment. The display fixture includes a first end piece resting supported on the floor, a second end piece supported on the floor, a first member, and a second member, each of the first member and the second member being substantially horizontal with the second member extending substantially parallel to, and vertically offset from the first member. A display fixture accessory is releasably secured to the display fixture by receiving the first member in a first bracket of the display fixture accessory and receiving the second member in a second bracket of the display fixture accessory. A display piece is inserted into the display fixture accessory. Additionally, the display piece is maintained with the display fixture accessory in a substantially vertical position with the display fixture accessory extending above the display fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, John Thomas
  • Patent number: 7984812
    Abstract: A support member is provided that includes a body defining a first channel configured to engage a main spine of a folding rack and a second channel perpendicularly disposed with respect to the first channel and configured to engage a wire member of a dishwasher rack so as to secure the folding rack thereto. The body further defines an aperture configured to receive therethrough one of a plurality of tines of the folding rack. The aperture can define horizontal and vertical support portions configured to support the tine when the folding rack is in folded and unfolded positions, respectively. The aperture can further define an arcuate channel extending between the horizontal support portion and the vertical support portion, the arcuate channel being configured to axially displace the tine along the longitudinal axis as the tine is moved between the horizontal support portion and the vertical support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bryan Pike, Ronald Gene Tynes, John C. Bragg
  • Patent number: 7980398
    Abstract: A theft deterrent dispensing unit particularly for use with cans includes a conveyor section that leads to a dispensing head. A shroud extends over the forward edge of the conveying section. The dispensing head pivots downwardly allowing the leading can to be grasped without interference of the shroud. The rear edge of the dispensing head pivots upwardly, preventing the next adjacent can from moving immediately into the dispensing head until the dispensing head rotates back to a closed position. Likewise, when the dispensing head is rotated to an open position, a barrier is pulled down from the top of the shroud, again preventing an individual from reaching in and grabbing the next adjacent can. A locking mechanism is positioned on the side of the dispensing units to prevent two adjacent dispensing units from being opened at the same time. Finally, the speed at which the dispensing heads move from an open to a closed position is regulated to prevent rapid removal of cans from a single dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kahl, Robert C. Best, David E. Burbrink
  • Patent number: 7963407
    Abstract: A holder for displaying and conveniently using consumables is disclosed, in which a two or more disks having corresponding, but differently sized, holes, arranged in rows, are ganged into a pair of disks, thereby allowing users to place bottles and tubes containing consumables into such holes for easy storage and access. The pair of disks is provided with rotational means, additional pairs of disks may be added in a modular fashion to increase storage capacity, and the rows of holes may be non-radially arranged, or even spirally arranged, to increase view and access to bottles and tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jennifer Donnellan
  • Patent number: 7959017
    Abstract: A bin system includes a plurality of bins arranged in stacks, wherein each of the bins in a stack includes a first element which interlocks with a second element in a lower bin in a stack of bins. The interlock holds the upper bin in a defined position on the lower bin. The first element includes a projection and the second element includes a lateral recess in a side wall of the bin. The system further includes two cross beams for supporting the stacks of bins, wherein the first element of the lowermost bin of a stack of bins is received between the two cross beams. The first element may comprise at least one additional projection arranged to engage an inner side of the side wall for additional support. The interlock between the first and second elements provides a self stacking function in that the interlock retains the upper bin on the lower bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Lloyd, Gerstner & Partners
    Inventors: Robert Gerstner, R. Christopher Kidd
  • Patent number: 7954656
    Abstract: A display fixture anchor system including a first panel having integral connectors and threaded and unthreaded apertures. The first panel is adapted to abut and fasten to at least one type of display fixture and to also connect via the integral connectors to a connection element, such as a slotted standard, to a particular type of store gondola. The system includes a first panel used as the head of a bolt for engaging vertical webs such as wire grids on display fixtures, in conjunction with a second panel used as an adaptable washer having multiple apertures. The system also includes a first panel used as a channel for receiving a tubular perimeter frame of a display fixture. Custom hybrid use of a first panel is also included. Methods of use and manufacture are provided within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Cuzzocrea
  • Patent number: 7950537
    Abstract: A ventilated shelf divider comprises a downwardly opening frame assembly including laterally diverging wire walls that are releasably mountable to laterally spaced shelf wires. Each of the wire walls includes a plurality of spaced legs that extending to couplers for gripping the shelf wires. The legs may be manually moved towards one another and positioned between the shelf wires, and, upon release, the legs bias the couplers into gripping engagement with the shelf wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Spectrum Diversified Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon H. Goodman, Omer I. Sazir
  • Patent number: 7931156
    Abstract: A merchandise display system includes a base-and-divider assembly. The base-and-divider assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to a front rail, and a divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows. The divider portion protrudes from the base portion such that the divider portion separates the base portion into a first portion and a second portion. A spring-urged pusher is mounted to a pusher track for pushing merchandise toward the front of a shelf. A retaining wall curves inwardly from a front edge of the divider portion along at least a portion of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7931158
    Abstract: A tool suspension rack includes a support board provided with two through holes, and an elongate flexible clamping strap extending through the two through holes of the support board and provided with a plurality of barb-shaped locking pieces extending through at least one of the two through holes of the support board and locked on a side of the support board. Thus, the locking pieces of the clamping strap in turn extend through the two through holes of the support board to clamp and tighten the tool between the clamping strap and the support board easily and quickly, thereby facilitating a user mounting the tool onto the tool suspension rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Jiin Haur Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Piao Wu
  • Patent number: 7931162
    Abstract: A novel type of sliding mount bracket, referenced herein as a regulator bracket, is adapted to be removably attached to a regulator. The regulator bracket includes a base and securing means for attaching the base to a panel that has louvers to receive the edges of the bracket. The regulator bracket further includes anchoring means for attaching the base to the regulator so as to inhibit movement thereof. Thus, when the regulator is secured to the rack, a display surface of the regulator is maintained in a fixed position, in which it is visually perceptible to the restaurateur or other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Taprite-Fassco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Swanson, Phillip Frazier, Francis Santos
  • Patent number: 7926669
    Abstract: A rack for hanging four packs of different sized plastic bags of the type having an upper disposable portion and a lower bag portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Better Bags, Inc.
    Inventor: Rafael A. Alvarado
  • Patent number: 7909185
    Abstract: A lightweight storage device for objects strung on a cord or cords includes an elongated rod having two ends and being made of lightweight material, a foot on each end of the elongated rod; and a plurality of separating elements spaced along the elongated rod where each plurality of separating elements includes a number of pegs circumferentially disposed about a plane intersecting with the elongated rod and wherein the length of each peg in each separating element is approximately the same and is of a length so that at least two of the pegs are capable of holding the elongated rod stationary and the length of each peg is such that a string of objects wrapped about the elongated rod are spaced from the ground when the lightweight storage device is placed on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Antoinette Erby-Jones
  • Patent number: 7909181
    Abstract: An article holder for a dishwasher rack includes a first article support portion and a second article support portion connected to the first article portion and extending at an angle with respect to the first article support portion. The article holder further comprises a first mounting structure configured to engage a portion of a dishwasher rack to allow the first article support portion to support articles in a first orientation with respect to a dishwasher rack. The article holder still further comprises a second mounting structure spaced from the first mounting structure and configured to engage a portion of a dishwasher rack to allow the second article support portion to support articles in a second orientation with respect to a dishwasher rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Balaji Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 7896175
    Abstract: A weight activated storage device is disclosed for retaining elongated objects such as a surfboard or other elongated objects of various sizes and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Steven Corr, Steven Clark, David Oates
  • Patent number: 7891501
    Abstract: A shelf unit for use in a rack for communication equipment comprising: a front body including a pair of side panels for containing PCBs; a back board detachably mounted to the rear ends of the side panels of the front body; and a rear body including a pair of side panels for containing PCBs. Connecting members are mounted adjacent to the rear ends of the side panels of the front body and protrude outward therefrom. A pair of connecting plates extends forward from the front ends of the respective side panels of the rear body. L-shaped slots are provided at the connecting plates, into which the respective connecting members are fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Byung Hyuk Choi
  • Patent number: 7891503
    Abstract: An integrated “T” assembly combines into a single integrated assembly, a track portion along both sides of a divider. The T assembly may have a wide-base portion, which may include a spring-urged-pusher track, on one side of the divider and a narrow-base portion on the opposite side of the divider. An offset pusher may have an upper portion that is offset, via an angled offset portion, from a lower portion of the pusher. Additional supporting bases, any of which may include spring-urged-pusher tracks and/or a spring-urged pusher, may be used under a wide product. Left and right side finisher components may be paired with T assemblies near the sides of a merchandise-display shelf. The T assembly, base, and/or end finishers may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement and/or a non-slidable engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 7878345
    Abstract: A folding rack for receiving and transporting bags, for receiving objects, to be suspended in the rack. The rack has a base part and side frame parts which are connected articulatedly to the base part at their lower end and are pivotal at least about 90° or more in relation to the base part, from a position perpendicular to the base part into a position substantially parallel to the base part. A cross strut is articulated to an upper end region of each of the side frame parts. The struts are pivotal toward one another parallel to the base part, and free ends thereof are connectable to one another in a substantially rigid manner so that the upper end regions of the side frame parts are held by the cross struts, which are articulated to the upper regions of the side frame parts and are rigidly connected to one another, at a minimum spacing defined by the cross struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Conteyor Multibag Systems, N.V.
    Inventor: Ronny Tourlamain