Patents Examined by Timothy M. Ayres
  • Patent number: 9820573
    Abstract: An arrangement includes two locking devices which are arranged on either side of a movable furniture part for locking the movable furniture part with respect to a furniture body in a locking position. Each locking device has a blocking device which prevents the locking position from being reached in a blocking position. Each locking device has a releasing device by means of which the blocking position of the blocking device associated with the other locking device can be cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Brunnmayr
  • Patent number: 9814305
    Abstract: A tabletop system for detachably engaging a railing provides a tabletop with a substantially planar upper surface and at least one bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes an elongated member that is removably engaged with the tabletop and is configured to span over a handrail of the railing. The bracket assembly also includes a bracing member that is coupled with an end portion of the elongated member and extends downward proximate spindles of the railing. An engagement device is coupled with a lower portion of the bracing member and is configured to detachably engage an adjacent pair of the spindles for rigidly securing the bracket assembly to support the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Terraza LLC
    Inventors: David Brus, Scott Bird
  • Patent number: 9810477
    Abstract: A refrigerator, according to one embodiment, includes an inner case with an improved structure. The inner case includes a plurality of plates forming faces of the inner case, and one or more frames disposed between the plurality of plates to support the plurality of plates. The plates and the frames may be molded separately, without being molded as one body, so that the plates and the frames can be formed with various materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nam Ki Sul, Jin O Kwak, Ju Seon An
  • Patent number: 9803916
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a rear shelf that is located in a case that defines a storage compartment with an open front. The refrigerator further includes a front shelf that is located closer to the open front of the storage compartment than the rear shelf. The refrigerator further includes a guard that is rotatably connected to the front shelf. The refrigerator further includes a front shelf lifting device that is configured to rotate the front shelf down about an axis at the rear shelf based on the guard moving up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junsoo Park, Jiyeong Ku, Jiyoon Lee, Jiyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 9801474
    Abstract: A door for a refrigeration unit having a transparent panel assembly having an outer transparent panel and an inner transparent panel. The outer transparent panel has an outer side, an inner side, and top, bottom, left, and right edges and the inner transparent panel has an outer side, an inner side and top, bottom, left, and right edges. A decorative design is applied to the inner side of the outer transparent panel. A population of light sources are positioned on the top, bottom, left and/or right edges of the outer transparent panel and are capable of emitting light into the outer transparent panel, such that the decorative design is capable of being illuminated by the population of light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRUE MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Steven Lee Trulaske, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9790633
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a door, where a first rotational axis forms a rotation center of the door, and a second rotational axis forms another rotation center of the door. The second rotational axis is provided to rotate the door in a direction different from a direction in which the door is rotated about the first rotational axis. A first switching unit is configured to connect the door to the first rotational axis, and a second switching unit is configured to connect the door to the second rotational axis when the first switching unit is moved in a direction in which the door is separated from the first rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Aram Lee, Incheol Kang
  • Patent number: 9771750
    Abstract: Device for opening cabinet door of cabinet body. Cabinet door is attached to cabinet body by self-closing hinges. Cabinet door is held in closed position at a small distance from the front of cabinet body. In order to allow cabinet door to be opened without gripping elements, without hindering the self-closing of the hinges, there is a unit having ejection piston with a locking apparatus and tension rod in cabinet body. Ejection piston is supported in the unit by compression spring, and tension rod is supported in the unit by tension spring. Ejection piston and tension rod are coupled to each other by a control apparatus having a freewheel, and thus by tapping on cabinet door the opening of cabinet door can be initiated and cabinet door can be brought into an intermediate position. In the intermediate position, cabinet door can be grasped by a hand and opened further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: DONGTAI HARDWARE PRECISION (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: Wolfgang Held
  • Patent number: 9764528
    Abstract: A manifold skin/side trim combination for a domestic kitchen appliance built into a cabinet is provided. The combination includes a manifold skin having a main skin body having a first surface and a second surface, and an opening in the first surface; and a side trim of the domestic kitchen appliance configured to be positioned adjacent to a front face of the cabinet, the side trim having a main section, an insertion extension that extends into the opening, and a transition section that connects the insertion extension to the main section such that the insertion section extends at an extension angle greater than zero degrees relative to the main section. An outside surface of the main section of the side trim is in the same plane as the second surface of the main skin body, and the second surface is adjacent to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: George May, Michael Penuel
  • Patent number: 9750338
    Abstract: A folding table includes a table top provided with a table top elevator having legs. A hinge unit is coupled between panels of the table top to allow the table to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M Turner, Andrew B Mendenhall, Paul T Zink, Terrence C Bergin, Simon L Leclerc
  • Patent number: 9751657
    Abstract: A metal pallet (10) has a deck (12), a base (14) and a plurality of beams (16) therebetween. The deck (12), the base (14) and the beams (16) may be formed from lightweight sheet metal. The metal sheets are folded into the desired shape to respectively form the beams (16), and panels (18, 22) and slats (20, 32) for the deck (12) and the base (14). The panels (18, 22) and the slats (20, 32) are corrugated and the opposed side edges thereof may be folded upon themselves to provide for robust multi-ply edge constructions. Different types of corrugations may be provided over the panels (18, 22) and the slats (20, 32) to locally reinforce the pallet (10). The bottom portion of the beams (16) may be plastically deformed to create arched opening (58) to permit side entry of pallet handling equipment. The plastically deformed regions (60) of the beams (16) may be configured to improve the mechanical properties of the beam while providing maximal clearance for pallet handling equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: PALAC INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Christian Cote, Andre Tanguay
  • Patent number: 9752819
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a rotating bar configured to seal a gap between one pair of doors. The rotating bar includes a case provided with an accommodating space; a cover to cover the accommodating space, and having heat conduction blocking parts at both sides thereof; a heat insulation member accommodated in the accommodating space; a metallic plate positioned between the heat conduction blocking parts; and a heat generating member configured to be attached to a rear surface of the metallic plate. An insertion protrusion with an inclined surface is configured to be downwardly movable when the inclined surface is collided with the guide part. Sealing members made of rubber are disposed at vertical end portions of the rotating bar, the sealing members to cover gaps formed at the vertical end portions of the rotating bar when the first door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Mo Kim, Jee Hoon Lee, Myoung Hun Kim, Hak Gyun Bae, Hee Tae Shon, Jong Hoon Oh, Sinn Bong Yoon, Kun Eui Hong
  • Patent number: 9752817
    Abstract: A panel adjustment mechanism for an appliance includes an adjustment bracket having a first lateral adjustment mechanism extending from a first side of the adjustment bracket. A vertical adjustment mechanism extends from a second side of the adjustment bracket. A door panel abutment surface is positioned perpendicular to the first and second sides of the panel adjustment bracket. A bracket housing defines an adjustment region and includes first and second flanges, wherein the first lateral adjustment mechanism extends through a lateral adjustment slot defined in the first flange, wherein the vertical adjustment mechanism extends through a vertical adjustment slot defined within the second flange, wherein the operation of at least one of the lateral adjustment mechanism and the vertical adjustment mechanism moves the panel adjustment bracket between a plurality of positions within the adjustment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Richards, Rahul Wadke, Joshua J. Wittes
  • Patent number: 9738295
    Abstract: A folding table having first and opposite ends that are rotatable relative to one another to lie either face-to-face when the folding table is in a folded configuration or end-to-end when the folding table is in an unfolded configuration. The table includes a pair of pull-out wheels on which the table can roll in its folded configuration. A retractable chair rack can be pulled outwardly from one of the table ends to engage a stack of folding chairs to be transported when the table is in its folded configuration and functioning as a cart. The pair of pull-out wheels are pivotally coupled to the table and rotatable between a first position lying outside and adjacent opposite sides of the table when the table is in its folded configuration and a second position lying below the bottom of the table when the table is in its unfolded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Brian Horowitz
  • Patent number: 9723935
    Abstract: A food shield has shield panels that are location adjustable and angularly adjustable in respect of support posts coupled to a buffet table or cart. For vertical or location adjustment of a shield panel in relation to a post, a bracket assembly includes outer and inner collar portions, a grip element positioned between the outer and inner collar portions, and a tightening element that tightens the connection of the assembled collar against support posts. A lever is set to lock the outer and inner collar portions to one another, and pulled to release the collar portions. For angular adjustment, each bracket assembly includes an indexing base, a rotatable arm assembly with an indexing hub, and a removable or retractable coupling element. The bracket assembly further has clamps that engage the shield panel at or near each of the front and rear panel edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. McAllister, Kenneth Shawn Christianson, Brian Christopher Powell
  • Patent number: 9713377
    Abstract: A display counter section includes a lower base portion, an upper base portion, and a light. The upper display portion defines a hollow interior, and includes translucent panels and a metal top. The translucent panels enclose the hollow interior of the upper display portion. The metal top extends over the hollow interior and the translucent panels such that the display counter section is configured to only display products on a top of the metal top. The top of the metal top defines a plurality of uniformly shaped sockets to receive a plurality of product display racks. The light is maintained within the hollow interior backlighting the translucent from the hollow interior by the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Erica Marie Arne, Joseph Stukenberg
  • Patent number: 9715780
    Abstract: An approach is provided to facilitate storage space rental services from a self sustaining solar powered storage locker rental system that may be remotely monitored and controlled. The apparatus includes one or more storage lockers each having respective electronic locking mechanisms. The apparatus is configured to process a request to access a storage locker and determine storage locker availability. The apparatus displays which of the one or more storage lockers is available and processes a selection of an available storage locker to generate an access message that includes a locker number, a randomly generated access code, and a duration of access indication based on a confirmed financial transaction. The apparatus also includes at least one solar energy collection unit configured to collect solar energy, and an energy storage unit configured to store the collected solar energy and supply power to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GARRSNLOCKR LLC
    Inventor: James E. Garrison
  • Patent number: 9702621
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a refrigerator and a display unit of the refrigerator, in which a sealing member is disposed between a display installation part and a displaying part of a display unit, and thus moisture is prevented from penetrating into the display unit. The refrigerator includes a door assembly which opens and closes an opened front surface of a storage compartment and including an opening provided at a front surface thereof, and a display unit, wherein the display unit includes a display installation part that is inside the door assembly to correspond to the opening and at which a display is installed, a displaying part which is disposed at a front surface of the display installation part and exposed to an outside through the opening, and a sealing member which seals between the display installation part and the displaying part and prevents moisture from penetrating into the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Chul Cho, Sang Cheol Lee, Jong Sun Park, Sang-Jin Lee, Sang Gyu Jung
  • Patent number: 9681747
    Abstract: A folding table has an integrated electrical power outlet. The table has a tabletop with a horizontal orientation supported in an elevated position by at least a pair of legs or leg assemblies pivotally coupled at opposite sides of the tabletop and pivotal between a closed storage position against the tabletop and an open elevated position extending transverse to the tabletop. The tabletop has a bottom framework with a perimeter rail extending along at least a portion of a perimeter the tabletop and defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the tabletop. The perimeter rail is segmented and defines a rail gap in the perimeter rail, with the perimeter rail having opposing ends at the rail gap. The electrical power outlet is spliced into the perimeter rail at the rail gap and spans the rail gap in the perimeter rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventor: Matt Pectol
  • Patent number: 9671129
    Abstract: A utility heating table cabinet includes a main body, which has a tabletop. The main body is provided, in the interior thereof, with a heating device at a location corresponding to and under the tabletop. The heating device includes a housing and a heating element and an air blower mounted inside the housing. The housing is formed with a heating airflow opening extending through an outer wall of the main body. The main body has a surface on which an operation panel is provided for controlling an operation condition of the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: DONG GUAN SONG WEI ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weilin Lu
  • Patent number: 9670956
    Abstract: Slide assemblies that include at least an inner slide segment and an outer slide segment. Many of the slide assemblies also include an intermediate slide segment interposed between the inner slide segment and the outer slide segment. The outer slide segment is constructed from a bent piece of material having a substantially uniform wall thickness. The outer slide segment is formed to have a wall portion, an upper portion and a lower portion. Each of the upper portion and lower portion include two layers of the piece of material. A mounting assembly for a slide assembly includes at least one bracket having a first pin and a second pin movable relative to the first pin. The second pin can surround and slide upon the first pin and can be biased to a first position and movable to a second position relative to the first pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Jonathan Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Judge