Patents Examined by Timothy M. Ayres
  • Patent number: 11060557
    Abstract: A telescopic mechanism includes a first component and a second component. The second component is capable of moving relative to the first component along a longitudinal direction. One of the first component and the second component is arranged with a contacting portion. The contacting portion resiliently abuts against the other one of the first component and the second component, such that a friction resistance is provided when the second component is moved relative to the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD., KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Chun-Yi Ho, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 11058235
    Abstract: A fan plenum assembly for a merchandiser. The fan plenum assembly includes a plenum housing that defines an opening configured to receive a fan, and that has a side wall with a slot and a slot extension continuous with the slot. The slot has a major axis extending through a center of the slot. A bearing is configured to rotationally support a hinge pin and is coupled to the side wall. The bearing includes a positioning element that is disposed in the slot and in the slot extension. The positioning element is movable within the slot and the slot extension such that the bearing is movable along the major axis to permit axial adjustment of a position of the bearing relative to the plenum housing and the bearing is immovable rotationally relative to the plenum housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Larry N. Leonard
  • Patent number: 11044993
    Abstract: A storage solution uses a ladder mount to support a shelving slide or the shelving member itself. The ladder mount can be attached to and extend upward from a base of an enclosure, such as a cabinet. Two or more ladder mounts can be used to support the shelf and/or shelf slide. The ladder mount can permit a shelving system having a width smaller than an enclosure width, to be installed in the enclosure, where one side of the shelf and/or shelf slide can attach to a cabinet side wall, and the other side of the shelf and/or shelf slide can attach to a free-standing ladder mount system. Alternatively, both sides of the shelf slide and/or shelf can be supported by a free-standing ladder mount system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TRINITY INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jerry Chiao, Yuan-Luen Chuang, Cze-Chao Tam
  • Patent number: 11039687
    Abstract: An undermount drawer slide mounting clip releasably attaches a drawer to a drawer rail assembly mounted in a cabinet carcass. The apparatus is capable of effecting positional adjustments of the drawer in three directions without removing the drawer from the cabinet carcass. The apparatus is comprised of a body slidingly engaged with a bonnet. A trigger pivotally connected between the body and the bonnet. A spring loaded catch slidable within the bonnet and acted on by the trigger to releasably attach the apparatus to a drawer rail assembly. A threaded spindle rotates within the base and adjusts the horizontal position of the drawer. A ramp adjustably connected to the base adjusts the vertical position of the drawer by rotation of a threaded barrel. A plunger extends from a housing connected to the body to adjacent the drawer rail assembly and adjusts the depth of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Hardware Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis McGregor, Greg Davis
  • Patent number: 11035607
    Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper having a plurality of joined walls that define a plurality of vertices and edges. An inner liner is sealed with the outer wrapper to define an insulation space. A vacuum port is disposed on an external surface of the outer wrapper. A channel is in fluid communication with the vacuum port and extends along at least one edge defined by first and second walls of the outer wrapper. An insulative material is disposed between the outer wrapper and the inner liner. A filter media is disposed along the channel such that air can be drawn from the insulation space past the filter media, into the channel, and through each vacuum port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Abhay Naik, Subrata Shannigrahi, Gustavo Frattini
  • Patent number: 11033104
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber and configured to provide a driving force that moves the drawer door relative to the storage chamber, and a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack gear. The rack gear includes a fixed rack fixed to the drawer door and a moving rack slidably coupled to the fixed rack. The drawer door includes a drawer part that defines an upwardly open storage space, and a door part that is configured to, based on the drawer door being inserted into the storage chamber, close the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeonggil Kim
  • Patent number: 11026503
    Abstract: Collapsible table assembly includes a top panel, a first side panel and a second side panel selectively, each engaged with the bottom facing surface of the top panel. A front panel pivotably connects with the top panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel. A latch carried by the front panel engages with a corresponding latch carried on the top panel when the top panel is pivotably rotated towards the front panel in a stowing position. The first side panel and second side panel are pivotable towards the front panel. In operation, the assembly is moved from an assembled position to the stowed position when the first side panel and second side panel are pivoted towards the front panel, and the top panel is pivoted until the corresponding latch on the top panel and front panel are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Tadhg James O'Gara, Dakota Pahel-Short
  • Patent number: 11006744
    Abstract: A desk includes a tabletop and at least one base member supporting the tabletop. A footrest is disposed on the at least one base member beneath the tabletop. The footrest is movable between a stowed position toward a back of the desk and a deployed position toward a front of the desk. At least one mechanism is disposed on the at least one base member and operatively coupled to the footrest. The at least one mechanism moving the footrest between the stowed and deployed positions. A floor mat is disposed with the footrest. The floor mat is movable with the footrest between a stowed mat position and a deployed mat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventor: Mark E. Benden
  • Patent number: 11006747
    Abstract: A drive device for a movable furniture part, in particular a drawer, includes a housing, an ejection device which is arranged in the housing for ejecting the movable furniture part out of a closed position into an open position, and a retraction device which is arranged in the same housing for retracting the movable furniture part out of an open position into the closed position. The drive device has a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, only the retraction device is operative while opening and closing the movable furniture part, and in the second operating mode, both the ejection device and the retraction device are operative while opening and closing the movable furniture part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Wohlgenannt
  • Patent number: 11009285
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet including a storage compartment provided therein; a first door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; a second door rotatably coupled to the first door and comprising a stopper; a locking device configured to selectively allow the rotation of the second door with respect to the first door, wherein the locking device includes a moving member having different displacements according to an opening/closing state of the first door; and a hooking member having different displacements according to the displacements of the moving member and selectively hooking the stopper thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Daekil Kang
  • Patent number: 10989461
    Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that are connected to define a structural cabinet with an insulating cavity defined between the outer wrapper and the inner liner. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein an at least partial vacuum is defined within the insulating cavity. The at least partial vacuum defines a pressure differential between the exterior of the structural cabinet and the insulating cavity, the pressure differential defining an inward compressive force. Wrapper structural reinforcements are disposed proximate the outer wrapper. Liner structural reinforcements are disposed proximate the inner liner, wherein each of the wrapper and liner structural reinforcements extend into the insulating cavity and are free of engagement with one another. The wrapper and liner structural reinforcements are positioned to resist the inward compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Dherde, Alberto R. Gomes
  • Patent number: 10973389
    Abstract: A basket for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. A rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The rack may include a secondary rack positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the rack. The secondary rack may include the basket. The basket may be positionable to one or more walls of the dishwasher tub between a stowed position and a deployed position. The basket may be removable from one or more racks and/or the one or more walls of the dishwasher tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Joel Boyer
  • Patent number: 10974867
    Abstract: An anti-tilting device for releasably mounting on a transport pallet, such as a standardized transport pallet, such as a Euro pallet, is disclosed. The pallet—has a support side for placing the transport pallet on the ground and rest side opposite with respect to the support side, on which the transport goods are to be deposited and which is particularly formed by a plurality of parallel horizontal rest panels spaced apart from each other. The device includes a support pillar and a ground support connected with the support pillar, which extends along the transport pallet height downwards to the ground and which comprises a support end facing the ground for retaining on the ground, and a tine section fixedly connected with the support pillar and the ground support for reaching under the transport goods and particularly for engaging between the rest panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SPRICK GMBH BIELEFELDER PAPIER-UND WELLPAPPENWERKE & CO.
    Inventor: Bastian Schalk
  • Patent number: 10959520
    Abstract: A cabinet drawer is configured to fully extend from within a cabinet case, tilting downward and outward when fully extended to allow personnel to access items located at the rear of the drawer. Mating channels and slots in the drawer and associated support structure allow for full movement of the drawer, while preventing its disengagement from the cabinet. The inclusion of a downward tiltable drawer provides easy access to the contents of the drawer, regardless of its height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Poltex, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Filipowicz
  • Patent number: 10961017
    Abstract: A crane mat stand device comprises a base component with integrated moveable support components. The crane mat stand device organizes and stores a plurality of crane mats, minimizes damage to the load or forklift machine, and maximizes safety during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Raptor Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Perkins, II
  • Patent number: 10954033
    Abstract: A foldable crate includes a base having a front end and a rear end and a pair of end gates, wherein an end gate is rotatably attached to each end of the base. Each end gate includes a cap attached adjacent to one end of each post of the end gate and a knob is attached adjacent to the opposing end of each post. A skid shoe is attached to the bottom of each corner of the base, wherein each skid shoe includes a socket for receiving the knob or cap of the corresponding end gate of an adjacent foldable crate when a plurality of foldable crates are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INC
    Inventors: Jason Kolecki, Michael D. Menke
  • Patent number: 10935311
    Abstract: A domestic refrigeration appliance contains a housing in which a receiving space for food is configured, a machinery compartment, and an electronics box which is arranged above the machinery compartment in the housing. The machinery compartment is separated in the upward direction by a foam cross-member from an intermediate space of the housing filled with a thermally insulating material at least in regions. A gap is formed between the foam cross-member, a cover and an interior of the electronics box. A cover element is arranged in the gap such that a flow of media is blocked from the machinery compartment into the interior of the electronics box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Yun Dai, Andreas Lindel, Michael Krapp
  • Patent number: 10920363
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine, which includes a cabinet having a first opening and a washing space therein and a door assembly configured to open or close the first opening. The door assembly includes a door unit including a guide duct having one side forming a second opening and the other side connected to the washing space, and configured to be rotatable with respect to the cabinet, a sub-door configured to open or close the second opening and a sealing assembly configured to seal the other side of the guide duct. With this configuration, it is possible to effectively seal the inside of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Ho Lee, Han Kyu Choi, Hwa Shik Kim
  • Patent number: 10882177
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bracket that couples a pegboard to a table without requiring a separate table for a stand-alone table and a pegboard-coupled table. The bracket can include vertical and horizontal portions that couple to a pegboard and table, respectively. The bracket can further include tabs that grip the table or pegboard for additional support. The bracket therefore allows for a pegboard to be attached to a table, or for the table to be sold without the pegboard, therefore freeing substantial inventory for the seller of the table and pegboard combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Brennan Equipment and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Sullivan, Kyle Graben
  • Patent number: 10866578
    Abstract: A table assembly comprising a worktop, a frame supporting the worktop, an integrated drive subassembly, a memory storing defined conditions, a control system including a user input control interface and at least one processor, the input control interface for receiving user commands to initiate changes in worktop height, the processor programmed to perform the steps of a) at any time, respond to direct manual user input via the interface to change the worktop height and b) enable a reminder function to periodically change the worktop height by i) monitoring worktop use, ii) comparing worktop use to at least one of the defined conditions, iii) after the at least one condition is met, providing a signal to the user to change the worktop height to a different position, iv) monitoring for user input via the interface to change the worktop height and (v) upon each of the worktop height being changed prior to providing a signal to the user to change the worktop height and the worktop height being changed subsequent
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Labrosse, Michael Xinjie Chu, Scott Sullivan