Patents Examined by Sarah Purol
  • Patent number: 7762411
    Abstract: A rack rail system engageable with a post of a rack. The rack rail system includes a rail assembly and a flange provided on at least an end of the rail assembly. The flange includes a pin insertable into an aperture of the post when the flange is adjacent to the post. The rack rail system further includes a clamp pivotably connected to the flange and movable from an open position and a closed position. The clamp receives both the post and the flange in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Hilburn, Stephen Peter Mroz, Joseph Daniel Rico, Jeffrey Alan Verkerke
  • Patent number: 7762408
    Abstract: An equipment rack system, in accordance with one embodiment, comprising an outer rack support tube; a first receiving member coupled to the outer support tube; an inner locking tube positioned within the outer support tube, the inner locking tube including a first tube latching member; and a first equipment shaft block adapted to fit with the first receiving member, the first equipment shaft block including a latching slot that engages with the first tube latching member when the inner locking tube is in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Green Touch Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Sargent
  • Patent number: 7748543
    Abstract: A dish rack assembly has a dish rack, and a base having a bottom wall on which the dish rack is positioned. The base includes a first edge having a first water outlet provided adjacent the first edge, and a second edge having a second water outlet provided adjacent the second edge. The second edge is adjacent to the first edge. A removable water stopper can be secured to either the first water outlet or the second water outlet. In addition, a first leg can be positioned adjacent a third edge that is opposite to the first edge, and a second leg can be positioned adjacent a fourth edge that is opposite to the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Adam C. Wade
  • Patent number: 7748542
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods and apparatus for processing a batch of substrates. In one embodiment, a compressed substrate boat is configured to reduce pumping volume in a batch processing chamber. The compressed substrate boat comprises a stationary substrate boat and a movable substrate boat, each may be loaded/unloaded independently. The movable substrate boat and the stationary substrate boat may be interleaving with one another such that the distance between the substrates is reduced. In another embodiment, a substrate boat having removable substrate holder is configured to provide susceptors without dramatically increasing pumping volume. The removable substrate holder may be loaded/unloaded away from the substrate boat with susceptors. The removable substrate holder is engaged with the substrate boat such that substrates thereon are interleaving with the susceptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Yudovsky, Robert C. Cook, Nir Merry
  • Patent number: 7748544
    Abstract: A wall organization rack with detachable, convertible hooks that may be used in garages, utility rooms, shops, retail establishments, residential basements, sheds, etc. The system comprises a horizontal crossbar support rack member and a plurality of different support hooks that engage a variety of objects. The support hooks comprise a specialized attachment end that allows the user to attach and remove the support hook from the crossbar by hand quickly and efficiently without the use of special tools. When attached, the support hook can withstand a substantial downward force. The user can change the support hooks as desired in order to space the hooks to efficiently accommodate each particular tool or group of tools, such as when new tools are purchased or replaced or stored during different seasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Production Plus Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Davitz
  • Patent number: 7740142
    Abstract: A frame device for supporting objects such as batteries during seismic stress, comprising a pair of end frame members mounted in upstanding spaced apart relation by a plurality of vertically spaced elongated channel support members secured at opposite terminal ends to the vertical columns of the end frame members, shelves for supporting batteries spanning the channel support members and defining a plurality of compartments for the batteries, each end frame member being formed of a single sheet material shaped to define vertical columns and a web extending between the end columns, a pair of anchors, means for securing the end frames to the anchors, and means defining a plurality of openings in the web of each end frame generally aligned with the compartments formed by the shelves to provide horizontal ventilation of batteries mounted in the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Concorde Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Miller, Henry Jarrett, Andrew Marraffa, David G. Vutetakis
  • Patent number: 7731038
    Abstract: By providing a pre-printed promotional system which employs two cooperating panels securely affixed to each other, with each panel being movable between a folded, compacted position and an unfolded, extended position, a unique, hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product is attained. In addition, in the preferred construction of the present invention, the promotional system of the present invention is constructed to produce a snapping or cracking sound whenever the promotional system is moved between its two alternate positions. Although the creation or production of a sound is not required, it has been found that the sound produced further enhances consumer surprise and interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Structural Graphics, LLC
    Inventor: Erik S. Hluchan
  • Patent number: 7726496
    Abstract: Shipping and storage systems convertible between containers and racks are provided. Collapsible shipping and storage systems are provided, which include pallets with novel locking mechanisms. An embodiment includes a first pallet having an interface fitting and a locking component, a second pallet having a second interface fitting and a second locking component, and structural support members positionable between the pallets for supporting one of the pallets in spaced relation over the other pallet. The structural support members may include frame members and walls interchangeable with one another. The frame members may be combined with the pallets to establish a rack system having an open storage area. The walls also may be combined with the pallets to establish a storage container having a compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Heinrichs, Donald Edmund Fabula, Eric Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 7717276
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display stand including a backrest which can slide along a rail by a manually-actuated tab so as to form an adjustable area for displaying articles. The invention is characterized in that the stand also includes an independent backstop device which operates by co-operation between at least one notched extension located at the sliding backrest and at least one complementary toothed counterpart positioned on the rail supporting the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Joalpe Industria De Expositores, S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Alves
  • Patent number: 7708153
    Abstract: A lockable display hook adapted to display items of merchandise in a retail environment includes a lock that directly engages the rod assembly of the display hook. The lock is configured to securely lock to the rod assembly without the need for teeth or notches to be formed in the rod assembly. One embodiment of the display hook provides an end assembly that prevents sweeping while allowing quick loading of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric H. Mansfield, Richard E. Corney
  • Patent number: 7699180
    Abstract: A layout for packaging a computer rack comprises a transport pallet (2) and a computer rack; the computer rack being associable with casters extending vertically by a first distance relatively to a lower face of the rack. The computer rack is made integral with the pallet by two anchoring means distributed on the underside of the rack on either side of a vertical median plane (P1); the pallet includes two side modules and an intermediate supporting means separable from the remainder of the pallet and allowing the side modules to be connected. The side modules are removably attached to the anchoring means, so as to ensure that the computer rack is maintained in a horizontal position, and that the pallet is spaced away from the underside of the rack by a second distance (H2) smaller than said first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bull S.A.S.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Mollard, Lionel Coutancier
  • Patent number: 7690515
    Abstract: The present invention is a container rack that locks down the containers to prevent shock and vibration damage to the containers. The device consists of a rack structure, a trombone means which is used to pull the containers forward, a lock down means to hold the containers in place and a closing means which is used to close the lock down means in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Tim Albert Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 7686172
    Abstract: A storage bin for use in conjunction with slotwall panel storage systems that can be stacked and snapped together or hung on a slotwall or slot track storage system. The storage bin includes a downwardly opening J-shaped hook and one or more upwardly opening J-shaped hooks extending from the rear wall of the storage bin. When the storage bin is engaging the top edge of the slat the upwardly opening J-shaped hook or hooks can extend into the slot forming the bottom edge of a slat without engaging the bottom edge of the slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Wisnoski, Amy L. Stevenson, Wyatt A. Cline, Todd C. Starr
  • Patent number: 7681742
    Abstract: A rack, which is configured to selectively maintain at least one fork of a lift truck, includes a back, a front opposite the back, a supporting member extending between the back and the front of the rack, and a wedge member. The wedge member extends between the back and the front of the rack such that the wedge member is positioned substantially nearer the supporting member at the back of the rack than at the front of the rack. The supporting member and the wedge member collectively define a storage space for receiving the at least one fork. Fork rack systems and methods for removing, replacing, and/or storing forks provide additional advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry C. Tyree
  • Patent number: 7673762
    Abstract: Modular system for closet inside part or dressing room complement of combinable and adjustable design, mass manufactured with adjustable sizes, with combinable module systems to optimize the available space, standardized according to modern standards for popular or residential housing developments, characterized because it is easy to assemble, shows a strong resistance to impacts or overloads, with or without lateral edge reinforcements in the following combinable standard sizes 1.22, 1.83, 1.43, 2.44 and 3.05 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Orozco Gavaldon Humberto
  • Patent number: 7654400
    Abstract: A tool holder. The tool holder includes a back plate and a tubular tool support assembly. The tubular tool support assembly has opposite first and second ends. The first end is attached to the back plate such that when the back plate is held in a vertical plane the tubular tool support assembly extends at a downward angle away from the front face surface of the back plate. The tubular tool support assembly defines upper and lower downward sloping sides of which the upper side comprises a plurality of handle bar sections each comprising upper and lower tube sections and a middle tube section therebetween. At least one lower tube section is aligned in a horizontal plane when the back plate is aligned in a vertical plane, and at least one lower tube section forms part of a tool support hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph C. Orr
  • Patent number: 7654398
    Abstract: A cable management system includes an adjustable length arm adapted to receive at least one cable in a computer system, and the adjustable length arm is configured to be connected to a first hinge and a second hinge that respectively define first and second opposite ends of the adjustable length arm. The first hinge is connected to a portion of the computing system, and the at least one cable and second hinge are connected to a movable device that moves relative to the portion of the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Bridges, John G. Gundlach, Joel E. Walker
  • Patent number: 7648035
    Abstract: A storage rack is provided for storing a plurality of articles such as glass sheets. The storage rack includes a substantially horizontal portion, and a substantially vertical portion. The substantially horizontal portion of the rack includes one or more flexible supports, each of which includes at least one channel defined therein. Along at least part of the channel, a plurality of slits are provided in the flexible support so as to define a plurality of flexible lips or tabs. The lips or tabs are designed so that when a glass sheets is inserted into the channel, the lips or tabs support the sheet against movement in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Mitchel D. Edwards, John M. Plevyak, Odene E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7641062
    Abstract: A wire gripper having a gripping mechanism capable of gripping two wires at a desirable position thereof for suspending a heavy article without a rotation of the article around an axis of each wire is provided. The wire gripper (1) has an inner sleeve (10) and an outer sleeve (40). The inner sleeve (10) is formed with two wire-insertion bores (11) and two pairs of ball-set bores (21), each bore open at both the wire-insertion bores and an outer surface of the inner sleeve. And, the inner sleeve (10) has a tapered outer surface formed at a portion where the ball-set bores are formed. A spring 60 biases the inner sleeve (10) so that the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve (10) contacts the tapered inner surface (41a) of the outer sleeve (40). Large-diameter balls (31) and small-diameter balls (31) are received in the ball-set bores (21) and protrude partially into the wire-insertion bores (11) so as to press the wire with three balls in the four balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: A.G.K. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7641056
    Abstract: An embodiment of an organizer for a desk or other horizontal surface having an extending portion includes an elongated base assembly having a clamping member and a cover member for attaching to the extending portion, at least one fastening device for attaching the clamping member to the surface and for attaching the cover member to the clamping member, a pair of vertical supports adapted to be attached to the cover member and each support including a plurality of holes, and a plurality of horizontal accessory supporting rods extending from the slots in one of the vertical supports to the corresponding holes in the other vertical support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Carl H. Schulman