Patents Examined by Steven Marsh
  • Patent number: 9709217
    Abstract: An assistive device for holding an object having a mounting clamp for securing the device to a surface, an arm attached to the mounting clamp by means of a first rotatable and lockable joint, a fist arm attached to the first rotatable and lockable joint, a second rotatable and lockable joint, a second arm attached to the second rotatable and lockable joint, an integrated clamp holder mounted to the second am by means of a third rotatable and lockable joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jeannie Trinh
  • Patent number: 9702150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gutter mount which is particularly for use on outbuildings and temporary structures, such as sheds. The gutter mount comprises an adjustable retaining member for receiving the guttering, allowing the guttering to be retained in the correct position independent of roof angle, and a means of fastening the gutter mount to a structure. Additionally the gutter mount incorporates a design which can be affixed to a structure by hand, obviating the needs for tools and facilitating repositioning of the guttering during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Keith Edward Hall, Barry Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 9696021
    Abstract: A hanger bar assembly for a recessed luminaire is disclosed. The hanger bar assembly includes a first hanger bar member having a first attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, and a second hanger bar member having a second attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, the second hanger bar member being adjacent to the first hanger bar member. The first and the second attachment structures each include a first wall having a first fastener aperture and a second wall having a second fastener aperture, the first and second fastener apertures being formed about a common central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Grzegorz Wronski
  • Patent number: 9695901
    Abstract: A gas spring system includes: a gas spring assembly including at least one gas damping passage; a reservoir member connected to the gas spring assembly, the gas spring assembly being in fluid communication with the reservoir member by way of the at least one gas damping passage; and a guide member coupled with the gas spring assembly, the guide member at least partially enclosing the reservoir member and being configured for sliding axially relative to the reservoir member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9699932
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a system for mounting components to a rack comprising brackets that can be mounted to the rear of the rack through the opening in the front of rack before the component is inserted into the slot and mating sleeves running along the sides of the components. The brackets include arms that extend forwardly towards the front of the slot. After the brackets are attached, the component can be slid into the slot from the front with the sleeves sliding over and engaging the brackets. In this manner, the component can be slid into a slot on the rack with the brackets sliding into the sleeves, thereby providing support for the component along a substantial portion of the depth of the component without the need to bolt or otherwise fixedly attach the component to the bracket after the component is in the rack. Accordingly, a component can be installed in a rack without the need for any access except from the front of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: James Joseph Eberle, Jr., Michael Jon Kepko, Jeffrey Dean Shipe, Sean Patrick Kelly, Bruce Eltringham Barry, Kenneth C. Hall
  • Patent number: 9689541
    Abstract: A hanger bar assembly for a recessed luminaire is disclosed. The hanger bar assembly includes a first hanger bar member having a first attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, and a second hanger bar member having a second attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, the second hanger bar member being adjacent to the first hanger bar member. The first and the second attachment structures each include a first wall having a first fastener aperture and a second wall having a second fastener aperture, the first and second fastener apertures being formed about a common central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Grzegorz Wronski
  • Patent number: 9689528
    Abstract: A multiuse bracket and support device for securing supports to a structure includes a band, which is flexible, that has a first end, a second end, opposing side edges, a front and a back. Each of a plurality of first couplers is coupled to the band. A first fastener is coupled to the back proximate to the first end, and a second fastener is coupled to the front proximate to the second end. The second fastener is complimentary to the first fastener. Each of a plurality of brackets comprises a second coupler coupled to a support. The second coupler is complimentary to the first coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Philip Green
  • Patent number: 9677257
    Abstract: A handshower slide includes a bar with a passageway, a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar, and a showerhead holder movable with the slide mechanism along the length of the bar. The slide mechanism includes a handle and a cam, and the cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is not movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and is movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle, and a spring is coupled to the handle and the cam, so that the spring biases the cam toward the first orientation and away from the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, William C. McKeone
  • Patent number: 9670639
    Abstract: A pad is provided for supporting heavy loads and is capable of supporting loads of 100 tons or more. The pad has a core having a bi-directional grid formed from parallel fiberglass materials, with a first set of material at right angle to a second set of fiberglass materials and which grid surrounds a closed cell material, which is infused with resin to form a core. A fiberglass top surface, bottom surface and at least one sidewall is provided. The result is a pad able to distribute very heavy loads, is resistant to bending, durable and light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Richard and Carolyn Koberg Living Trust
    Inventors: Scott R. Reeve, Andrew K. Loff
  • Patent number: 9671136
    Abstract: In various representative aspects, a clamp assembly that secures a solar panel module to a rail support structure that utilizes a generally c-shaped clamp in combination with a t-bolt and a binding bolt such that the t-bolt and binding bolt fit through a pair of apertures in the c-shaped clamp. This enables the foot of the t-bolt to be inserted into a guide on the top of the rail support structure so that the clamp can subsequently secure the solar panel module to the rail support structure by rotating the binding bolt, which in turn locks the t-bolt within the guide and the top of the clamp is then tightened with continuous rotation of the binding bolt, which also enables raised portions on the foot of the t-bolt and top of the clamp to create an electrical bonding path between the solar panel module and the rail support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ironridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Ash, Shawn J. Meine
  • Patent number: 9668372
    Abstract: A cable management device includes a first cable management arm, a second cable management arm, and a rod. The second cable management arm is movably connected to the first cable management arm. The rod is attached between the first cable management arm and the second cable management arm such that an unfolding angle between the first cable management arm and the second cable management arm is kept within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Zong-Sian Wong, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9662780
    Abstract: An apparatus and method utilize a conventional portable shop vacuum to facilitate the collection of dust generated by a machine tool in a workshop. Selective translation of the machine tool along a workshop floor among chosen locations is enabled by virtue of casters provided by the shop vacuum. A selectively operated actuating mechanism renders the machine tool stationary at any one particular chosen location along the workshop floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Glenn W. Harte
  • Patent number: 9657894
    Abstract: Mounting clips (10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600) removably engage to vertically disposed mounting surfaces, such as rain gutter downspouts, and support decorative articles for display. The mounting clips include a frame having arms (14, 814, 914, 1014) configured for attachment to a profiled outer surface of the mounting surface. Optional adapters (870) removably engage to the arms when clips are attached to non-standard diameter mounting surfaces. Length-adjusting clip arms (1014, 1084) or straps (970) may join to the frame of the clips. Or, the arms may be replaced by straps (1176, 1182, 1276, 1282, 1376, 1382, 1476, 1482, 1576, 1582). Decorative articles are joined or appended to a blank (44, 1644) that is slidably engageable with the central portion of the mounting clip. The blank (1644) may include frictional or locking engagement structure (1650, 1686, 1696).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Gibbons Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Gibbons, Jeffrey S. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 9657892
    Abstract: A supporter includes a connecting body, a pair of supporting plates, and a pair of supporting arms. The pair of supporting plates is rotatably connected to the connecting body. The pair of supporting arms is rotatably connected to the supporting plates. When the supporter is in an open state, the pair of supporting arms are rotated to rest against each other. The pair of supporting arms and the corresponding supporting plates respectively form an angle therebetween so that the supporting arms and corresponding supporting plates are positioned in a manner to cooperatively support an electronic device. When the supporter is in a close state, the pair of supporting arms are received in the receiving chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zheng Gong
  • Patent number: 9653050
    Abstract: The Improved Guitar Plectrum Retainer of the present invention is mechanically fastened to bracketing in the pickguard location. The intended use of the present invention is to provide ease in alternating between plectrum and non plectrum techniques. The location and design of the improved retainer facilitate that ease of transition. When wishing to insert the plectrum into the retainer the practitioner need only contact the elongated cover of the retainer with the tip of the plectrum and slide the plectrum along the inner surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Efram Benjamin Wolff
  • Patent number: 9644425
    Abstract: An apparatus with: a handle, a bolt, a feature for attachment or storage of tools, two or more wedges, and an elastic belt that allow for hanging or storing tools and equipment on an extension ladder such that there is a maximal amount of surface contact and compression between an expanding clamp mechanism and the interior of a ladder rung. The apparatus can be configured in an almost infinite number of ways as desired by the user for length and features for attachment and it uses many off the shelf and easily obtainable components making repair and modification convenient for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Cory Gordon
  • Patent number: 9643544
    Abstract: A wiring unit includes a wiring harness (WH), a holding plate (2) for holding the wiring harness (WH), pairs of through holes (21A, 21B) formed through the holding plate (2), and tie bands (20) inserted through the pairs of through holes (21A, 21B) to fix the wiring harness (WH) to the holding plate (2). Each tie band (20) includes a band portion (23) having longitudinally spaced locking teeth (24) on one surface and to be inserted through the pair of through holes (21A, 21B), and a lock (25) provided on one end of the band portion (23) and including an insertion opening (26), through which a free end of the band portion (23) is inserted. A locking claw (27) in the insertion opening (26) retains the band portion (23) by selectively locking to a locking tooth (24). The paired through holes (21A, 21B) have mutually different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Kawashima, Mitsuhiro Shimamura, Satoru Itou
  • Patent number: 9638224
    Abstract: A weight-actuated panel holder is disclosed herein. The weight-actuated panel holder includes a first jaw member; a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the first and second jaw members cooperating to a form a slot for receiving an end portion of a panel, an opening width of at least a portion of the slot being configured to be reduced when a weight of the panel actuates the first and second jaw members towards a closed position; and a clutch mechanism coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the clutch mechanism configured to bias at least one of the first and second jaw members in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Donald Bruce Westfall, II
  • Patent number: 9642281
    Abstract: A buckle set for a sliding rail of an industrial rackmount chassis includes a base, a pressing member, a hook slider and a hook rod. The buckle set is provided for installing the sliding rail into the industrial rackmount chassis. The installed hook rod is fixed automatically to prevent it from falling off. A slope pushing design between the pressing member and the hook slider drives the hook rod to shift and retract in order to remove the sliding rail quickly. A safety buckle design is added to the pressing member, such that after the hook rod is fixed to the industrial rackmount chassis, the pressing member is locked automatically to prevent the sliding rail from falling off due to human wrong operations. When it is necessary to remove the sliding rail, the safety buckle and the pressing member are pressed simultaneously to release the locked status quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Martas Precision Slide Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Lai Chen
  • Patent number: 9629453
    Abstract: A stand, which includes a body portion comprising a relatively flat panel; a pair of angled support legs attachable vertically to a back side of the body portion; a slider arm mountable to the back side of the body portion of the stand, the slider arm having a means for connecting a medium to an upper portion of the slider arm; and a lip on a lower portion of a front side of the body portion, which holds at least one page of the medium in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Jeffrey Whittaker, Richard Corwin Gong