Patents Examined by Terrell McKinnon
  • Underground tank hold-down system
    Patent number: 8807512
    Abstract: An underground fluid storage tank hold-down system for holding down an underground cylindrical fluid storage tank in a hole that has been excavated, the underground tank hold-down system comprising a multiplicity of paired hold-down straps having a first end and a second end. A multiplicity of paired deadmen anchors are adapted to be placed to either side of the tank when the tank is in the hole. The deadmen anchors each have anchor upstanding loops. A tank hold-down assembly is provided comprising a take-up coupler assembly having a pair of arched sections, having hooks thereon, including a first arched section and a second arched section and a threaded engagement assembly. The threaded engagement assembly includes a threaded member and a receiving member adapted to receive part of the threaded member. The straps engage the hooks and the anchor upstanding loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Watco Tanks, Inc.
    Inventors: David Watson, Wallace Watson
  • Diameter acceptance mechanism for cup holder and cup holder using the same
    Patent number: 8807504
    Abstract: A diameter acceptance mechanism for a cup holder has a base, a contact member, and an urging device (for example, one torsion coil spring). The contact member has at least a hollow first flap member supported movably into and out from an open part of the base and having a projection orifice facing a cup insertion part, and a second flap member fitted into a hollow part of the first flap member and supported movably into and out from the projection orifice. The second flap member projects from the projection orifice to contact with an outer perimeter of a cup inserted into the cup insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogawa
  • Tablecloth retainer
    Patent number: 8807503
    Abstract: A tablecloth retainer includes an elastic band having at least a primary thickness, a width, and a predesigned boundary, wherein the elastic band is stretched around the perimeter edge of a table top to retain a tablecloth, the predesigned boundary being smaller than a range of table top perimeters accommodating the band by virtue of elasticity of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Jose Alberto Zavala, Jr.
  • Seat slide locking apparatus
    Patent number: 8800948
    Abstract: A slide locking apparatus for a seat includes a first locking section with plural first locking pieces and at least one second locking section group with forward, intermediate, and rear second locking sections. When at least one of the first locking pieces locks with one of the second locking sections, another first locking piece locks with another second locking section. A first lock inhibiting section inhibits the forward second locking section from engaging any of the locking pieces when a rearwardmost locking piece is forward of a position where the rearwardmost locking piece coincides with the intermediate locking section. A second inhibiting section inhibits the rear second locking section from locking with any of the locking pieces when the forward locking piece is rearward of the intermediate locking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wakayama, Yasuhito Domoto
  • Adjustable laptop stand for a laptop computer
    Patent number: 8800937
    Abstract: A laptop stand configured to support a laptop computer on a surface at a plurality of angles includes a platen configured to support the laptop computer. A leg is pivotally coupled to the platen. A support arm is slide coupled to the platen and pivotally coupled to the leg. A latch is coupled to the support arm and is configured to latch and to unlatch from the platen at a plurality of latch points. The latch at the plurality of latch points positions the support arm at a first plurality of angles with respect to the platen and the leg. The latch at the plurality of latch points also positions the platen and the leg at a second plurality of angles with respect to one another. The latch is configured to slide with respect to the platen to move the support arm to rotate the leg with respect to the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Chia Feng Lee, Hsin-Hao Hsu, Li-Jen Chien, Simone Chevalley, Sylvain Sauvage, Alain Tabasso, Cathal Loughnane
  • Mounting device for fan
    Patent number: 8800951
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a fan includes a base board and two blocks to be mounted on opposite sides of a bottom of the fan. The base board forms two rods. Each block defines a fixing hole in which a corresponding rod engages. A resilient member is mounted to a bottom of each block for absorbing vibrations of the fan. The resilient member includes an arc-shaped main piece, and two fixing pieces respectively extending from opposite ends of the main piece to be mounted to opposite ends of the corresponding block, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Stepped lowering device and stepped lifter device
    Patent number: 8800947
    Abstract: A stepped lowering device includes a lifting/lowering link having a pivot on a base and on an ascending/descending body; a toothed link pivoted on the base or the ascending/descending body, includes a link ratchet and swings in association with the lifting/lowering link; an input member, supported by the ascending/descending body or the base; a first lowering prevention latch mechanism engaged with the link ratchet to prevent the toothed link swinging downward when the input member is in a neutral position and allows the toothed link to swing downward when the input member is swung in a lowering direction; and a second lowering prevention latch mechanism which allows the toothed link to swing downward by one tooth of the link ratchet and which is engaged with the link ratchet to prevent the toothed link further swinging downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hidehiko Fujioka, Hiroshi Koga
  • Pipe-to-pipe brace assembly
    Patent number: 8800938
    Abstract: A pipe brace assembly includes a main clamp body that can be secured to a brace pipe. A cable, or other flexible tensioning member, can be wrapped around a braced pipe and secured to the main clamp body. The pipe brace assembly includes a method or mechanism for tensioning the cable or flexible tensioning member around the braced pipe. In some embodiments, the tensioning method or mechanism involves moving, such as rotating, the main clamp body to tension the cable or tensioning member. The clamping of the main clamp body and tensioning of the cable or tensioning member can occur simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper B-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Compact coulomb damper
    Patent number: 8794585
    Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Adjustable mounting bracket
    Patent number: 8794580
    Abstract: A bracket is provided for mounting conduit clamps or pipe clamps to the face of the bracket. The height of the bracket can be adjusted by removing pins that are attached to mounting bracket feet and mounting bracket arms. Multiple holes may be formed in the mounting bracket arm and mounting bracket feet to allow for various alignments of the bracket arms, which will vary the height of the bracket. The height is adjusted through a pair of four-bar linkages that enable a linear motion of the bracket face. The bracket may have a footprint that is smaller than conventional adjustable mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael O. Koehler
  • Carbon nanotube film supporting structure and method for using same
    Patent number: 8794582
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube film supporting structure is provided. The carbon nanotube film supporting structure is used for supporting a carbon nanotube film structure. The carbon nanotube film supporting structure includes a body and a number of voids. The body has a surface defining a support region. The voids are defined in the support region. A void ratio of the support region is greater than or equal to 80%. The present disclosure also provides a method for using the carbon nanotube film supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Beijing FUNATE Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Yu-Quan Wang, Liang Liu, Li Qian
  • Gimbal system
    Patent number: 8798450
    Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Aicher, Gregory D. Dent, Bruce Ellison, James H. Weaver, John M. Wiltse
  • Compact coulomb damper
    Patent number: 8794586
    Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system. In another embodiment a coulomb damper includes an outer member press fit over an inner member. A chamber is defined between the inner and outer member. In one embodiment, the inner member and the outer member are coaxial and the chamber is an annular chamber having a constant radial width. In another embodiment, the chamber is eccentric in relation to the inner member and has a variable radial width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Knockdown table leg of game table
    Patent number: 8794576
    Abstract: A knockdown table leg of game table includes a support frame, a front casing and a rear casing. The support frame has a connection section at a top end of the support frame. The lateral sides of the front and rear casings are connected with each other to form a hollow housing enclosing the support frame. The connection section of the support frame protrudes from the front and rear casings. A consumer can DIY assemble the table leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Zhejiang Elephant Sport Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry Tsai
  • Self-leveling receptacle with a positioning lock
    Patent number: 8789801
    Abstract: A symmetrical, balanced receptacle for storing, displaying or transporting goods, materials, people, plants or animals is suspended from a double-axis gimbal mounted on a framework. The receptacle is attached to the gimbal by adjustable bearings and a locking mechanism holds the receptacle in various positions, tilted forward or back, and swiveled to one side or the other. When the receptacle is unlocked, gravity holds it level, which is especially useful when the device is used to hold or transport cargo on sloping ground, turbulent water or shifting air currents. The framework may be stationary or attached to a wheeled vehicle, water craft, aircraft or other means of transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Alfred Thomas Newman
  • Vibration stabilization system for multi-cooler
    Patent number: 8789805
    Abstract: A bracket for stabilizing a heat exchanger has a base member extending between first and second ends. An aperture at the first end of the base member receives a fastener. The bracket is fixedly secured to a vehicle through the fastener. A flex zone extends between the first and second ends of the base member. The flex zone is movable between a first, relaxed position and a second, flexed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Piggott, Simon Kehimkar
  • Cable holder
    Patent number: 8789799
    Abstract: A cable holder for a cable includes a guide section for guiding the cable that can be pivoted in sections for a change in direction of a run of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Aninger, Dieter Hotz, Cengiz Kücük, Christian Mesarosch, Pedro Sancho, Sebastian Wagner
  • Vibration isolating device
    Patent number: 8789806
    Abstract: A vibration isolating device for isolating an object from at least one of vibration and shock from an external source. The vibration isolation device comprises such features as a mounting structure where the object is mounted to, at least a plurality of first springs coupled to the mounting structure to minimize coupling of the at least one vibration and shock to the object, and a shock stop. In addition, the device may include a plurality of stop pins that are separate from the mounting structure and arranged externally to the mounting structure. The stop pins can limit a displacement of the object when the at least one of vibration and shock exceeds a given level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: DRS Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Taylor, Jeremy Hutcherson, Vinson Loos
  • Supporting apparatus
    Patent number: 8789800
    Abstract: An adjustable electronic device supporter for supporting electronic devices of various sizes is disclosed. The electronic devices include a first side and a second side. The adjustable electronic device supporter includes a main body and a supporting base for supporting the main body. The main body includes a main supporting device with a first positioning slot, a first positioning pin, at least one first positioning hole, a first guiding slot, and a first moving pin. The first positioning pin contacts the first side and is situated in the first positioning slot. At least one first positioning hole connects to the first positioning slot, and the first positioning pin is selectively placed in one first positioning hole among the at least one first positioning holes. A first moving pin contacts the second side such that an electronic device is fixed between the first positioning pin and the first moving pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Li-Wei Liu
  • Transformable intravenous pole
    Patent number: RE45058
    Abstract: An intravenous (IV) pole system for supporting medical equipment having a base with legs, a mast engaged to the base, and a lifting mechanism including a gas spring engaged to the base and the mast. Each of the legs includes at least one wheel. The lifting mechanism is constructed to position the legs in an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The lifting mechanism is further constructed to raise the legs and wheels relative to the base and relative to a surface. The lifting mechanism is configured to position the wheels proximate to the mast in the retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Streamline, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Blankenship, Brent G. Norman, Samuel A. Blankenship