Patents Examined by Timothy S. Smith
  • Patent number: 7290697
    Abstract: A mailbox support structure device, an associated kit and method of using same are disclosed. The mailbox support structure device includes the interconnected components of a telescoping vertical post member, a telescoping horizontal post member and a pair of locking pins. The mailbox support structure device may be lengthened horizontally and vertically to overcome snow piling up at or near the device. The kit includes the unassembled components of the device. The method of using same includes the steps of adjoining, affixing, boring, cutting, digging, drilling, enlarging, expanding, inserting, locking, obtaining, piercing, placing, pouring, screwing, and slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin R. Lessard
  • Patent number: 7219864
    Abstract: A carrier system (10) for a medical apparatus (11) is disclosed. The carrier system includes rotation joints (17, 18, 20). A supply line harness runs in the carrier system (10) and is run so that it is covered. The rotation joint (18) includes a tube-shaped holding member on which fingers are formed which hold a rotation joint. A joint element, which is rotatably journalled in a joint receptacle, is provided in the rotation joint (20). The joint element has a wave-shaped section which is connected via a connecting section to an annularly-shaped section functioning to accommodate a connecting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Wolfgang Strauss, Franz Krug, Fritz Zimmermann, Alfons Abele, Maren Lehmann, Lauric Weber
  • Patent number: 7188812
    Abstract: A self-locking support arm is provided, comprising a hang arm and a linked device between a support seat and a connecting seat, which forms a set of four parallel connected rods. Therefore, when the support arm moving up and down, the connecting seat will maintain a fixed angle. A spring device is disposed between the hang arm and the linked device to provide tension of auto homing to the support arm. And, in a rotating joint formed by the linked device and the support seat, a ramp block and a ramp slider block is engaged, to provide an effect of self-locking, and better loading capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sallas Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 7100876
    Abstract: An electronic device includes first and second housings which are pivoted to each other, and a spring-biased stopper mounted movably on an upper wall of the first housing. The stopper is movable in a transverse direction relative to the upper wall between an engaging position, in which the stopper projects outwardly of the first housing through the upper wall and engages the second housing, and a second position, in which the stopper is received in the first housing and disengages from the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Hua-Chung Tseng, Shu-Hsien Chu, Cheng-Shing Luo, Chu-Hsian Chian, Yang-Po Chiu
  • Patent number: 7090183
    Abstract: An improved cup holder is disclosed that is fully adjustable and gimbaled and also insulates the beverage it is holding. One embodiment of an adjustable cup holder according to the present invention, comprises an outer cup and an inner cup. The inner cup is arranged within said outer cup and capable of extending from and returning into said outer cup, said outer and inner cup combination forming a housing having a varying capacity, said housing capacity capable of changing to hold beverage containers of different depths and diameters. Another embodiment of a cup holder, according to the present invention comprises a housing to hold a beverage container and a holder mounting device mounted to said housing. The mounting device comprising a flexible strap and a buckle, with the buckle mounted to one end of the strap and the other end of said strap wrapping around a body. The strap is then attached back to the buckle such that the body is held within the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: R & S Enterprises
    Inventors: Randy Heybl, Brett Keshtkar
  • Patent number: 7077363
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for bundling cables, ropes, wires, or other long flexible materials that are desired to be bundled. The device comprises an arcuate strap for encircling bundled cables. The strap is preferably discontinuous, with first and second ends forming a mouth into a central cavity formed by an arcuate strap. Finger grips are located adjacent to the first and second ends, allowing fingers of a user to be used to pull the first and second ends of the strap to open the normally closed mouth of the device. The device also preferably includes engagement features on the first and second ends to allow the first and second ends to be forced into engagement to lock cables into the cavity formed by the arcuate shape of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Alexander F. Rivera
  • Patent number: 7066436
    Abstract: A box device includes a box body having a housing portion with an upper opening, and a front movable member and a rear movable member slidably disposed in front and rear directions in the box body for opening and closing the upper opening of the housing portion. The box device further includes a first guide portion engaging the front movable member for guiding the front movable member to slide in the front and rear directions; a second guide portion engaging the rear movable member for guiding the rear movable member to slide in the front and rear directions; and an engaging device for connecting and disconnecting the front movable member and the rear movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Itsuo Honda, Atsushi Takahashi, Kazuomi Sakata
  • Patent number: 7036783
    Abstract: A drive bracket (10) includes a locking device (30) to secure data storage devices (50) therein. The drive bracket has a bottom plate (11), and first and second side plates (12, 13). A plurality of slots (16) is defined in the side plates. The locking device is attached to the first side plate, and defines openings (31) corresponding to the slots. Two connecting arms (33) extend from the locking device in each opening. A handle (34) extends forwardly and outwardly from the connecting arms. A fastening portion (35) extends rearward and inwardly from the handle between junctions of the handle and the connecting arms. Pins (54) of each data storage device slide in the slots, with one leading pin riding over the fastening portion, and restrained by an end of the fastening portion. When the handle is pushed, the fastening portion is moved outwardly, and disengaged from the leading pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Da Long Sun
  • Patent number: 7011284
    Abstract: A pivotable clamp is provided. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a clamp that includes a first member that is pivotably coupled to a second member. A third member is pivotally coupled to the second member. The first member is sized to slidably engage a rail that is part of a retractable cover system. An alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises a pivot block that includes a pivot slot. A rail engaging member is slidably coupled to the pivot block, and a pivot arm is pivotably mounted in the pivot slot. This embodiment may include a second pivot slot sized to pivotably receive the pivot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Truck Accessories Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Melius
  • Patent number: 7007912
    Abstract: A merchandise display and anti-theft system, for use in displaying an electronic device such as a laptop computer, comprising a base plate and a rail. The rail is mounted transversely onto a merchandise display shelf. The electronic device is selectively attached to the base plate by a crossbar. A front bracket assembly and a rear bar are provided to restrict the extent to which the electronic device may be moved in a forward or reverse direction upon the base plate. The crossbar, front bracket, and rear bar are fastened to the base plate with screws extending from beneath the base plate, in order to prevent removal of the electronic device. After mounting the rail to the shelf and affixing the base plate to the rail, the screws which hold the cross bar, rear bar, and front bracket to the base plate are inaccessible, thereby preventing theft of the electronic device selectively affixed to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: William Giuliani, Gregory M. Defoe
  • Patent number: 7004434
    Abstract: A level adjusting device includes a base, first and second posts standing upright from the base, a first push lever movable in a vertical direction, a second push lever movable in the vertical direction, a pivot post standing upright from the base and spaced apart from the first and second posts, first and second pivot pins extending in a transverse direction relative to the vertical direction, a pivot block pivoted to the pivot post through the first pivot pin, a carrier plate connected to the first and second push levers and pivoted to the pivot block through the second pivot pin, and a biasing unit disposed between and connected to the carrier plate and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Zhi-Hong Fang, Yue-Ye Chen