Patents Examined by Terrell McKinnon
  • Patent number: 8899540
    Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism including: a housing having a first aligned pair of through holes and a second aligned pair of through holes; a pivot nose having a third aligned pair of through holes, a fourth aligned pair of through holes and an aligned pair of arcuate slots; an energy storage device having first and second spring mounts and at least one spring, the first spring mount having at least one first flange and a pivot flange having a fifth through hole, the second spring mount having at least one second flange and a sixth through hole and the at least one spring includes first and second ends, the first end is secured to the at least one first flange and the second end is secured to the at least one second flange; a first pivot pin disposed in the first aligned pair of through holes and the third aligned pair of through holes; a stop member disposed in the second aligned pair of through holes and the aligned pair of arcuate slots; a second pivot pin disposed in the fourth aligned pair of through holes
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Weber Knapp Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Honsberger, Warren A. Waxham
  • Patent number: 8899072
    Abstract: An adapter for mounting an icemaker on top of an ice bin of an ice and beverage dispenser has a lid mounted for both sliding movement and pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the adapter. The lid normally covers an inlet to the ice bin. To expose the ice bin inlet for visually inspection of the interior of the bin and/or to accommodate manual filling of the bin with ice, the lid is manually slid forward off of and then be rotated away from the bin inlet to fully expose the inlet. The lid at all times remains connected to the adapter so that it is not lost or exposed to unsanitary conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaji Kulangara Veettil, Nishant Kulkarni, Douglas Anderson
  • Patent number: 8894031
    Abstract: A seating system for a motor vehicle includes three sets of rails mounted to the floor of a motor vehicle. Each set of rails is configured to receive two seats that are capable of sliding in a longitudinal direction on the rails. The motor vehicle also includes storage spaces for storing the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Sailer, Mark Kisiler, Nathan G. Brown, David A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8894022
    Abstract: A bracket for supporting conduits on a boom arm has a variable-diameter conduit retaining portion having a flexible tie strap and a saddle with a strap-receiving channel formed therein. The saddle has a plurality of paths for the tie strap. A large diameter path is provided by having the tie strap pass through the upper opening into the channel, out through the first cavity so that the tie strap passes on a conduit-facing side of the vertex of the saddle, back into the channel through the second cavity, and out through the lower opening. A medium diameter path is provided by having the tie strap pass through the upper opening, through the channel and through the lower opening. A small diameter is path provided by having the tie strap pass through the first cavity into the channel and through the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Chirpich, Glen D. Kroese
  • Patent number: 8888063
    Abstract: Novel stands for tablet computers and other electronic devices. A stand for a tablet may comprise a body having one or more attachment mechanisms at one location and a crossbar at a second location. The crossbar may comprise a portion of a first material disposed to magnetically interact with a portion of a second material that is provided by the tablet. The magnetic interaction may cause the crossbar to serve as one or more detents that movably affixes the stand in a desired position relative to the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Mack, James Yurchenco, Matthew Robert Adams, Andrew Switky, Adam Vollmer, Michael Gibson
  • Patent number: 8891722
    Abstract: An improved support apparatus is structured to support a dosimetry system within an interior region of a containment apparatus. The dosimetry system is supported in a region between an interior surface of the containment apparatus and an exterior surface of a reactor apparatus that is disposed within the interior of the containment apparatus. The support apparatus includes a retention apparatus having a plurality of brace elements that each have a receptacle formed therein. The receptacles are aligned with one another when installed within the interior of the containment apparatus. The support apparatus further includes a tube apparatus that includes a plurality of tube segments that are connectable together. The dosimetry system is situated within an elongated cavity formed in the tube apparatus. The tube apparatus is situated in the receptacles and thereby supports the dosimetry system on the containment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Kulesza, Arnold H. Fero, Alexander W. Harkness
  • Patent number: 8888059
    Abstract: A fastening device (6) for detachably fastening a first component (4) to a second component (5), especially to a motor vehicle. A bearing block (7), which has a stay bolt (13), is fastened to one component (5). The bearing block (7) has an anchor bracket (8), which is fastened to the other component (4) and which has an anchor hook (15) for hooking onto the stay bolt (13). A locking device (16) is provided which can be adjusted between a locking state, in which anchor hook (15) can be hooked into and detached from the stay bolt (13), and an unlocking state, in which stay bolt (13) is fixed to the anchor hook (15) hooked into same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Kohberg, Marko Schulz
  • Patent number: 8888066
    Abstract: An adjustable holder of a hydraulic brake device for a bicycle which is assembled on a steering tube and is located between a stem and a head part includes a holder, a first adjusting member and a second adjusting member. The holder has a fixing portion and a fastening portion defined at two ends thereof respectively. A hydraulic brake device is assembled to a bottom of the holder. The fastening portion has a fastening hole opened therethrough. The fastening hole sleeves onto the steering tube. One end of the first adjusting member and one end the second adjusting member are abutted against two ends of the fastening hole respectively. Therefore, an angle between the holder and the steering tube is adjustable, which corresponds to an elevation angle of the stein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 8882081
    Abstract: A line guiding structure comprises a round guiding shaft, a fixing unit, an elastic element, a linear bearing and a wheel set. The round guiding shaft comprises a fixing and an open end. The fixing unit is used for fixing the round guiding shaft and comprises a fixing base and a bearing. The fixing base is disposed on mechanical equipment, and the bearing is disposed in the fixing base. The elastic element is sleeved on the round guiding shaft and comprises a first end and a second end. The linear bearing is sleeved on the round guiding shaft. A connecting piece is disposed on the linear bearing. The wheel set comprises a fixing plate, a supporting frame and two pulleys. The fixing plate is connected on the connecting piece. A slide hole is formed between two opposite pulley surfaces of the two pulleys for a line to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong-Tao Deng
  • Patent number: 8882052
    Abstract: There is provided a multi-joint cable protection and guide device that fits well with a flexible belt member in a flexed posture, that steadily protects and smoothly guides cables that assume the flexed posture, that requires fewer parts and that may be readily connected and disconnected corresponding as desired according to usage. The multi-joint supporting member has the flexible belt member in which cable inserting tubular portions are unitarily molded in parallel and a train comprising a plurality of block bodies flexibly connected with each other by concave-convex snap-fittings. The train of block bodies is inserted through the cable inserting tubular portions to control and support straight and flexed postures of the flexible belt member and each block body has a flexion outer peripheral-side curved surface whose curvature is equal to a radius of a flexed circular arc in the flexed posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 8882073
    Abstract: A support arrangement for a solar module includes a post having a first surface section. A support structure includes a connecting element presenting a second surface section facing the first surface section in a direction of a joint surface normal of the first and second surface sections. A stop element is arranged in the surface normal direction offset to the first and second surface sections. A first form-fitting connection exists between the stop element and the post and a second form-fitting connection exists between the stop element and the connecting element, providing vertical support of the connecting element relative to the post. The first and second form-fitting connections are producible at different heights of the connecting element relative to the post. A fastening element holds in place the first surface section and the second surface section relative to each other in the direction of the joint surface normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Habdank PV-Montagesysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Habdank, Peter Habdank, Ralf Baumann
  • Patent number: 8882071
    Abstract: A system and attendant structural components for incorporating an alternate fuel supply, such as of the type used in combination with a conventional distillate fuel, to power a heavy duty industrial vehicle, such as a mine haul dump truck. The system and attendant structure includes a mounting assembly structured for containment and support of the alternate fuel and a containment area disposed on the vehicle and structured and dimensioned to retain the mounting assembly therein. The containment area and the mounting assembly are disposed in laterally adjacent, exposed relation to an operator area of the mine haul truck, wherein the mounting assembly and the containment area are cooperatively disposed and structured to facilitate storage of the alternate fuel and operative communication and distribution thereof with the powering engine of the mine haul vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jason Green
  • Patent number: 8882066
    Abstract: Various clamps for connecting one tubular member to another, methods of using and making such clamps are disclosed. In one aspect a clamp for coupling a first tubular member to a second tubular member is provided. The clamp includes a first clamp half and a second clamp half engageable with the first clamp half. The first and second clamp halves define a first through bore to accommodate the first tubular member and a second through bore to accommodate the second tubular member. A strap is adapted to circumscribe at least a portion of and bring into engagement the first and second clamp halves. The clamp is buoyant in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Specialized Seal Design and Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory K. Otten, Eugene J. Mannella
  • Patent number: 8882070
    Abstract: A device and method for securing a bow while hunting is provided. The device generally includes a base, a support arm rotatably mounted to the base, a connecting arm connected to the support arm, and a retaining arm rotatably connected to the connecting arm and mounted for rotation between an open position and a closed position to secure the limb of the bow. The support arm acts as a lever arm wherein the weight of the bow causes the connecting arm to move and the retaining arm to rotate from an open position to a closed position to secure the limb of the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ron M. Bean, Pearl K. Bean
  • Patent number: 8882067
    Abstract: A guide track system and a bracket assembly thereof for supporting guide tracks thereof are provided. The guide track system comprises a first guide track piece, a second guide track piece, and a bracket assembly configured to support the first and second guide track pieces. The bracket assembly comprises a mounting feature configured to be mounted to a support structure, and a guide track supporting feature connected to the mounting feature and configured to support a portion of the guide track mounted thereon. The guide track supporting feature, in turn, comprises a body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, wherein the first end is configured to be coupled with an end of the first guide track piece, and the second end is configured to be coupled with an end of the second guide track piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Material Control, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Kerr
  • Patent number: 8876164
    Abstract: A mud flap bracket assembly comprises a functional frame bracket assembly and one or more interchangeable bracket covers. The frame bracket assembly has unitary frame bracket that is formed from a sheet metal blank that is configured to form and integral spring mount and integral slots to mount a frame seat. The frame bracket has integral slots that mount mud flap clips that are adjustable within the slots for mounting mud flaps of different hole configurations. The frame bracket assembly is assembled with integral fasteners and without welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Incorporated
    Inventors: Wesley K. Eklund, Tom Gerst, Gary Roberts
  • Patent number: 8876067
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler fitting support bracket (100) is disclosed for mounting fire sprinkler tee-fitting (30) to a building structural component (5). The bracket (100) includes a mounting portion (103), and a cradle portion (101) cantilevered from the mounting portion (103). The cradle portion (101) is configured to receive and support the fitting body (32) on a concave surface (190a, 190b) thereof. The fitting (30), which may be a tee fitting, elbow fitting, or the like, is detachable from the bracket (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventors: Christopher McAllister, Eric Skare, John Liebelt, Chris Sellner, Timothy Cota
  • Patent number: 8876066
    Abstract: A pipe hanger method and apparatus wherein a bolt is threaded upwardly through a first opening within a lower arm portion of a saddle, then, in one form, through an opening in a liner, then through a larger opening in the upper arm portion of the saddle. The opening is non-cylindrical in shape. A nut is then installed on the bolt. The nut has a tapered end portion which interoperates with the shape of the opening in the upper arm of the saddle. The nut is hand-tightened and then is aligned with the opening so that the small end portion would drop into the opening. A wrench is then used on the head of the bolt to rotate the bolt for the purpose of drawing the nut and bolt together and applying a clamping force on a pipe positioned within the saddle. The liner extends along the inside of the bolt and then extends about the pipe, between it and the bight of the saddle, and then in one form extends along the inside of the upper arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Progressive Fastening, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter S. Richards
  • Patent number: 8876068
    Abstract: Conduit spacers useful in preparing duct banks with reduced electromagnetic fields (EMF) are disclosed. The conduit spacers are designed to maximize phase cancellation of EMF from a closely-spaced series of electric power cables placed in conduits supported underground by the conduit spacers. The spacers are also designed to minimize the EMF above ground by reducing the distance needed to bury the cables for a given EMF above ground. In one embodiment, the spacers place conduits adjacent one another for maximum cancellation of a single three-phase cable installation. In another embodiment, the spacers place conduits adjacent one another for maximum cancellation for a dual three-phase cable installation, including cross-phase cancellation, e.g., A-B-C and C-B-A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Underground Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald P McCoy
  • Patent number: 8876071
    Abstract: A support assembly for an item of furniture with an elongated support structure having a first pair of feet connected to a lower end thereof; a passage defining unit defining a guide passage connected to the support structure and extending lengthwise; a support member displaceable with respect to the support structure having a second pair of feet at its lower end thereof; the displaceable support member provided with a guided pin complementary to and longitudinally slidably engaged in the guide passage, characterized thereby that the passage defining unit has a hollow adjustable guide member whereby the dimension of the passage is adjustable in accordance with the dimension of the pin; and the passage defining unit is fastenable to the support structure once it has been adjusted, such that the passage defining unit may first be adjusted to conform with the guide pin and then be fastened to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hedera AB
    Inventor: Rory Brooke