Patents Examined by Terry Lee Melius
  • Patent number: 6145231
    Abstract: A marketing display device such as a shelf or a "Pegboard" type hanger is provided with an outer display panel that has a release coating, such as of silicone, for ready attachment, removal and replacement of adhesive labels that carry indicia pertinent to the marketing of products on the hangers to passing potential customers. In one preferred embodiment the release coating is carried on a liner that is adhesively attached to the shelf or hanger for such removable mounting of labels and wherein the liner, including the attaching adhesive, also is readily and cleanly removable by peeling the liner from the surface to which it is adhered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Valiulis
  • Patent number: 6145175
    Abstract: A cardboard material casket including a cardboard material inner box having a bottom, two opposed sides and two opposed ends. A cardboard material outer wrap has an outer directed side with a finish different from a finish of the cardboard material inner box. The outer wrap has a bottom located below the bottom of the inner box. Side and end walls of the outer wrap extend from the bottom of the outer wrap up and over outer surfaces of the side and end walls of the inner box and then down and over inner surfaces of the side and end walls of the inner box. The outer directed surfaces of the bottom and side and end walls of the casket box and inner surfaces of the side and end walls of the casket box present the finish of the outer directed side of the outer wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Enneking, Daniel J. McAtee, David J. Wellman
  • Patent number: 6145228
    Abstract: A decorative hollow Christmas ornament supports a generally spherical body having a plurality of flat, small reflective surfaces for rotation about a horizontal axis. A light source disposed a distance from the reflective spherical transmits light to the small flat surfaces so that their images are then reflected to a wall, such as the exterior of a house, to simulate descending snowflakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: James L. LaChance
  • Patent number: 6146072
    Abstract: A functional element comprising a shaft part and a head part, or a hollow body part, for attachment to a sheet metal part, in particular for liquid-tight and/or gas-tight attachment to the sheet metal part, without penetrating or perforating the sheet metal part, is characterized in that the head or body part has at least one undercut feature either in an open hollow cavity at its end face confronting the sheet metal part and/or at its outer periphery and is formed in the regions which enter into contact with the sheet metal part with exclusively rounded shaping edges which, during the insertion of the element, cooperate with a shaping die button in order to provide a hooked engagement in form-fitted manner of the sheet metal material, with the undercut feature or with the undercut features. A method of attaching a functional element to a sheet metal part, a component assembly and also at least one die button and a setting head are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Muller
  • Patent number: 6141806
    Abstract: A cushion is provided for use on a foot section of an articulating deck of a bed to support the legs of a person on the bed. The foot section of the deck is movable from a generally horizontal bed position to a generally vertical chair position. The cushion includes an air bladder configured to be inflated when the deck is in its horizontal bed position and deflated when the deck is in its generally vertical chair position, a cover surrounding the air bladder, and an elastic cord coupled to the cover. The elastic cord is configured to gather the cover and the air bladder toward the foot section of the deck as the air bladder is deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Bobey, John A. Brenner, Sam Crumlish, Kenneth A. Fox, Benjamin Salvatini, James H. Price
  • Patent number: 6141808
    Abstract: A mat member is divided into a plurality of mat members and those divided mat members are individually wrapped in a middle bag respectively, to form middle mats 7 and 8 and these middle mats 7 and 8 are adjacently wrapped in an outer bag to form a finished mat. Whereby, the middle mats 7 and 8 wrapped in the outer bag 9 are individually separated, which is made easily to take out and accommodate in the outer bag and causes to lighten the burden of a nurse for removing or putting the finished mat, and since the finished mat comprises the middle mats wrapped in double i.e. in middle bags individually and in an outer bag, any excreta is not penetrated to the mat members, by which instant cleaning of the finished mat can be carried out to lighten the burden of the sick and the nurse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Akado Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Akado
  • Patent number: 6142700
    Abstract: A joint forming device for forming a joint between two members, the device (10) comprising a tightening element (12) to be fitted to one member and a fastening element (14) having a longitudinal axis (34) to be fitted to the other member. The fastening element has at least one engaging surface (26) cooperably engageable with a respective arcuate camming surface (24) of the tightening element whereby rotation of the tightening element in one sense about an axis of rotation thereof causes axial movement of the fastening element towards the axis of rotation to cause a joint formed between the two members to tighten. The or each arcuate camming surface (24) is adapted such that the relation between the amount of rotation of the tightening element and the amount of axial movement it causes is substantially constant substantially throughout the range of axial movement of the tightening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Titus International PLC
    Inventors: Jerry D. Grieser, Richard A. Nelson, Steven R. Munday, William E. T. Vallance
  • Patent number: 6141807
    Abstract: An adjustable height pillow that offers a user the option of many heights and degrees of firmness, and which encourages proper posture in various meditation and other sitting positions. The pillow is comfortable for the user in either meditation or normal sitting environments including workstations. The pillow includes at least one encircling belt either within a concealing sleeve or exposed as a dramatic design statement. The belt can cinch and constrict the medial portion of the pillow by reducing its circumference, thereby causing the filler material to move from the medial portion to respective upper and lower portions of the pillow thus increasing the height of said pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: David Tapper
  • Patent number: 6138334
    Abstract: A lightweight structurally sound casket formed preferably of a sandwich construction using a core of an open cell or honeycomb patterned material and fluid resistant surface elements. The casket is comprised of a body containment portion and a lid portion, each of which has the sandwich construction as the main structural element. The open cell material is structurally enhanced by being sandwiched between first and second stabilizing surface elements in both the body containment portion and the lid portion. In addition to the stabilizing surface elements, an aesthetically pleasing material is adhered to the outer portions of the body containment section and lid so that the casket has an attractive appearance. The body containment portion is constructed from rectangular pieces of the open cell material and stabilizing surface elements by folding the same into a box-like configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Tambussi
  • Patent number: 6139216
    Abstract: In a device for reversibly locking a constant-velocity joint (2) with respect to a hub (1), the constant-velocity joint is axially locked to the hub by means of a spring-lock ring (21) of circular cross section recessed in a circumferential groove (22) in part formed on said joint (2) and in part on said hub (1). The joint comprises reaction means (24) integral therewith, particularly a rigid annular diaphragm disposed adjacent to the hub and facing an axial through bore (15) formed in the hub. The diaphragm is adapted for co-operation with an extraction tool (28) that can be inserted through the hub bore (15) in order to apply to the joint (2) and the spring-lock ring (21) an axial force with relative to the hub in either direction so as to separate or couple the joint (2) from or to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Bertetti
  • Patent number: 6138304
    Abstract: An improved surgical support device includes an adjustable hand rest and an adjustable head rest. The hand rest can be adjusted to provide a desired resting position both for a patient's head and for the surgeon's hand or hands. The hand rest has multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the surgeon to adjust the hand rest in the vertical and horizontal position and and to rotate the hand rest about the patient's head. The head rest allows vertical adjustment of the patient's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventors: William Lipsky, Sharon D. Lipsky
  • Patent number: 6138303
    Abstract: A system for adjustment of the angular setting between parts in a bed or another reclining or sitting article of furniture, in which the article has two or more mutually adjustable, articulated parts, and where the frame is mounted in a support member by means of transverse axles or axis journals. A pivot axis (2) of a back member is fixed against translation in a pivot bearing (11) on the support member. The axes (3, 5) of the remaining part(s) are movably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the support member. The back member axis (2) is mounted at a distance from the joint connection (1) of the seat member (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Kjartan Alvestad
  • Patent number: 6138335
    Abstract: A casket 10 includes a four sided casket box 15 and a lid 16. A pair of appliques 40 may be fitted within a respective recess at the end of each side between a top framing strip 26 and a bottom framing strip 28. The pair of appliques together form a corner covering for each of the four corners of the casket. A pair of side snap members 56, 58, 110 may each be secured to the side adjacent the corner and between the top framing strip and the bottom framing strip. A pair of mating applique snap members 58, 90 may be secured to each applique. Mating engagement of the snap members may be achieved by applying a force perpendicular to a plane of the side 12, 34, thereby reliably mating the snap members and securing the applique to the casket side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: The York Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Drawbaugh, Aaron S. Will
  • Patent number: 6138299
    Abstract: A futon frame includes a pair of linear actuators mounted at opposing sides thereof for driving a folding seat and back of the frame to automatically and continuously adjust the seat and back between a sofa position and a bed position. The back is connected to opposing sides of the frame by upper and lower follower bearings arranged for travel within corresponding upper and lower guide channels in each opposing side of the frame. A motor controller is mounted to the underside of the seat for connecting a user interface to the linear actuator motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Otis Bed Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roma, James D. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6138475
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for securing jewelry to a person's body, or to secure together the ends of a piece of jewelry. In one embodiment, an earring back for receiving a post of an earring has a base having a base aperture therein for receiving the post, and a first primary leg extending from a first end of the base, and a second primary leg extending from a second end of the base. A first spring leg extends from the first primary leg, the first spring leg having front face having a tear-drop shaped front aperture therein for receiving the post. A second spring leg extends from the second primary leg, the second spring leg having intermediate face having an intermediate aperture therein for receiving the post. The spring legs are biased such that when the earring back is uncompressed or not under external applied compressive forces, the front aperture, the intermediate aperture, and the base aperture are in axial misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas D. Kohl, Kenneth L. Mino
  • Patent number: 6134730
    Abstract: Integrated bed covers for the mattress of a bed include an upper bed covering of one or more layer, for convenience referred to generically as a `cover`, e.g., a comforter or blanket, together with a mattress pocket adapted to fit around and enclose a lower portion of the mattress wherein the cover is expandably connected to the mattress pocket, that is to say, so that the bed cover (e.g., comforter or blanket) can be easily separated or expanded upwardly from the pocket and yet remained connected to it. I have found it possible to accomplish this objective by connecting to the pocket a base sheet or supporting sheet that extends laterally as well as beyond the end of the bed from the pocket and then securing the edges of this supporting sheet to the edges of the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Marika Evanson
  • Patent number: 6135425
    Abstract: A fence connector for interlocking pickets to cross supports to define sections of fence and for interlocking these fence sections to posts. The fence connector using retractable arms that retract for insertion into a hole and then deflect back to an expanded position upon full insertion resulting in a secure, snug connection. The fence connector including a stop for preventing axial movement of the connector upon insertion into a fence rail. A thin flexible piece of hinge may extend between and hinged interconnect an outer end of adjacent retractable arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Robert E. Platt
  • Patent number: 6134727
    Abstract: A folding bed is disclosed. A folding frame has a plurality of legs and a plurality of upper and lower connecting elements which connect the plurality of legs with one another. The plurality of legs include a first set of four legs which extend slantingly and upward through the upper connecting elements in a lengthwise direction of the bed and a second set of two legs which extend slantingly and upward through the upper connecting elements in a crosswise direction of the bed. A seat is fixed to the upper connecting elements and has a first set of four pockets into which the upper ends of the first set of four legs are inserted, respectively. A pair of support sheets are stitched to both sides of the seat, respectively. The pair of support sheets have a second set of two pockets into which the upper ends of the second set of two legs are inserted, respectively. The upper ends of the second set of two legs are fastened to the support sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Joo-Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 6134726
    Abstract: A retrofitting system designed to convert an adult-size bed into an infant/toddler bed is disclosed. The retrofitting system comprises first a template is being placed on a twin, full, queen, king-or larger size bed with an underside of the template fitted to an underside of a mattress. The system further comprises a number of interconnecting geometrical shape structures connected to the template on the bed. A plate/channel system is used to connect the geometrical shape structures to the template. The template and geometrical shape structures can be disassembled and assembled for storage, cabinet, diaper change table, chair, table etc., as the child grows up. The system can further be converted into children's toys, such as a car, slide, activity center, snake etc. with accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Doris Man-yee Lau
  • Patent number: 6134729
    Abstract: High and low profile mattress foundation frames have perimeter and transverse members, and upper members to which spring modules are attached to support a grid over the frame, to form a flexible support surface for a mattress. In a high profile version of the frame, transverse members are oriented with a major width perpendicular to a major width of the perimeter members, to provide structural rigidity and increased height to the frame. Low profile spring modules, such as the described composite material spring modules, supported by the high profile frame form a foundation which is comparable in overall height to conventional mattress foundations which use wire-form spring modules. In a low profile version of the frame, the major widths of the perimeter and transverse members are arranged parallel, and longitudinal members are supported by the transverse members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Sealy Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Quintile, Eugen Constantinescu, Robert F. Wagner