Patents Examined by Winnie S. Yip
  • Patent number: 6715504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stick type umbrella with reinforced frame including a shaft, which connects with a frame having several sets, such as six sets or eight sets, of main ribs and stretchers. The frame is to provide with two different rib-set structures alternately on the frame. One set is to provide a cord between a middle position of the stretcher and an outer position of the main rib, and the other set is to provide a movable joint at the outer end of the stretcher positioned on the relative main rib between two fixed rings. As the cord pulls the main rib tight and the movable joint functions on the main rib to release wind pressure, the stick type umbrella with the present invention can be quite useful and is capable of avoiding breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Chen
  • Patent number: 6712083
    Abstract: A telescoping pole assembly for an erectable, collapsible shelter, includes first and second hollow telescoping sections slidably connected together, the first telescoping section being slidably disposed within the second telescoping section, and a spring loaded detent pin mounted to the second telescoping section. A weighted internal stop member is slidably disposed within the first telescoping section for movement between a first position and a second position. The internal stop member blocks the spring loaded detent pin in the first position, and the internal stop member does not block the spring loaded detent pin in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6708704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for automatic opening umbrella, which mainly includes a runner having a middle connector and a lower connector. A main rib of umbrella frame has its inner end to connect with the upper joint. A supporting rib has its inner end to connect with the middle connector of the runner and has its outer end to connect with middle position of the main rib. A spring has its inner end to connect with the lower connector and has its outer end to connect with the outer end of the supporting rib. The spring will be tensioned as the umbrella is folded to provide a recovery force for automatic opening the umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Youth Lee
  • Patent number: 6708705
    Abstract: There is a walking cane, for supporting and balancing a user, and allowing a user to retard forward motion. The walking cane includes a base, having a wheel rotatably coupled thereto. The cane further includes a braking member, coupled to and positioned relatively above the base, having a contact portion that contacts the wheel to retard the wheel's rotation when a threshold downward force is applied to the cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Mike Nasco, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6702247
    Abstract: A chamfer for forming precast concrete wall panels used in tilt-up construction. The chamfer includes an elongate base portion and at least one chamfer portion coextensive with the lengthwise direction of the elongate base portion. The base portion defines a substantially horizontal base plane. The chamfer portion includes a first leg disposed upstanding relative to the base portion, and a second leg portion angularly disposed relative the first leg. The second leg further includes at least one flexible edge that projects beyond at least the base plane or the plane defined by the lengthwise direction extension of the first leg. Depending on which part of the second leg the edge is cantilevered from, it forms a sealed relationship between the chamfer and a casting surface, the chamfer and a plank used as part of the wall form, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fukuvi USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyozaburo Takagi
  • Patent number: 6701949
    Abstract: The lightweight erectable canopy shelters include a plurality of legs connected together by an extendible perimeter assembly of link members. In one embodiment, the roof structure is formed by a pole members pivotally mounted to the upper ends of the legs so as to extend across the shelter, and movable between a lowered position and a raised, upwardly arching position. The pole members are pivotally coupled to a central hub, and each of the pole members comprises pole sections hinged to permit downward folding and upward unfolding until they are fully extended. Corner support strut members are pivotally mounted to the legs, to be rotatable upwardly to engage and support the pole members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6694994
    Abstract: Collapsible structures include one or more add-on panels chat are coupled to the underlying collapsible structure to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures. Each of these collapsible structures incorporate at least one foldable frame member, and fabric covering portions of the frame member. The collapsible structures can be collapsed into a smaller configuration by twisting and folding the at least one frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6691484
    Abstract: End portions of face plates 111 and 112 of a frame member 110 are connected by a rib 116A. To protrusion chips 117b1 and 117b2 end portions of face plates 101 and 102 of another frame member 100 are overlapped. The corners between the rib 116A and the rear faces of the face plates 111 and 112 are in the form of a convex circular arc 131 which protrudes into a hollow portion 119 of the frame member 110. Both end portions of the circular arc 131b1 are connected to the rib 116A and the face plates 111 and 112 by two smooth recessed circular arcs 132b1 and 133b1. Accordingly, since a flow-out of metal does not occur from this portion, the cross-section can be small and a light weight structure an be obtained. A structural body formed of hollow frame members which are joined by friction stir welding provides a light weight structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Akihiro Satou, Kazusige Fukuyori, Takeshi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6692092
    Abstract: A transportable play center that has a center housing and two side housings attached to opposite sides of the center housing is provided. The play center is configured to provide a child with multiple play opportunities. The play center can be configured with a plurality of shelves that have transparent sliding doors. Further, the play center may be configured with a plurality of removable pockets. Still further, the play center may be equipped with removable carts that have a plurality of drawers in the carts. A tabletop may be slidably received in the center housing and a collapsable chair stored in the play center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Gail W. Evans
  • Patent number: 6688045
    Abstract: The present invention is an enclosed rain gutter for draining water from the surface of a sloped roof and conducting it to a downspout. The invention rain gutter includes a channel that is covered by a mounting flange suitable for insertion under the material covering the roof of a building and a collecting flange connected to the mounting flange by a rounded edge. The collecting flange has openings for delivering water into the channel and features for delivering water to the openings. While the collecting flange features and openings deliver water into the channel, they also exclude debris from entering the channel and in particular they exclude debris might obstruct a downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Mitchell Pilcher
  • Patent number: 6684588
    Abstract: A bonded swimming pool ladder anchor socket includes a substantially hollow metal housing of substantially cylindrical configuration. The housing is embedded in concrete adjacent the swimming pool with the top of the housing being open and adapted to receive the cylindrically shaped base of a swimming pool ladder for supporting the ladder. The bottom of the housing is at least partially closed to act as a stop to prevent downward movement of said ladder base beyond said bottom. An electrical bonding clamp is carried by the housing on the outer surface thereof and is adapted to securely clamp an electrical bonding conductor in order to provide an electrical bond for the housing and for the ladder. The bonding clamp includes a fixed seat for supporting the conductor and a movable screw threaded through the lower wall of a chamber located above the seat. The screw includes a head at the top thereof which is adapted to be turned by a screw driver in order to move the screw toward or away from the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Jesse Jones
  • Patent number: 6681528
    Abstract: A roof hatch safety railing to help prevent a person from accidentally falling through an open roof hatch while walking on a roof. The safety railing will comprise a top rail sufficiently high to prevent a person from falling over the railing. A mid-rail will also be located so that a person cannot accidentally fall under the top rail. The safety railing will be hingedly attached to the cover of the roof hatch as well as mounted to brackets which have been inserted into the coping of the base of the roof hatch. The safety railing will not interfere with the normal operation of the roof hatch and may be modified to accommodate various types and sizes of roof hatches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Activar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Profeta, Scott Schellhase, Enrique Saucedo
  • Patent number: 6681784
    Abstract: An umbrella facet connecting mechanism which mainly comprises the umbrella facet connection, there is a bending position on said umbrella facet connection, and there settles a connecting portion on two ends portion and the bending portion respectively; the connecting portion on one end of the umbrella facet connection is fixed and connected with the second umbrella facet, whereas another end portion and the connecting portion on bending being fixed and connected with the first umbrella facet so that the peripheral of the first umbrella facet overlaps and connects with that of the second umbrella facet and there keeps a space so when the umbrella facet is on the accepting wind facet said stream could be vent from the space between the overlap position of the first and the second umbrella facet to avoid the flip-out of the major bone of the umbrella to achieve the purpose of anti-winds as well as elonger the usage lifetime of the umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fortune Umbrella Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Yi Chou, Chiu-Chan Yen
  • Patent number: 6679024
    Abstract: A high strength grouted pipe coupler by which either a pair of spaced, axially aligned steel reinforcement bars (i.e. rebars) are reliably spliced to one another or a single reinforcement bar is spliced to a flat steel plate to form a T-headed bar configuration. The reinforcement bars are surrounded by a spiral reinforcing spring within a hollow cylindrical sleeve or tube. The coupler tube is filled with an epoxy or cement based grout within which the reinforcement bars and the reinforcing spring are embedded. Set screws are moved through the coupler tube to maintain the position of the reinforcement bars prior to the coupler tube being filled with epoxy or cement. The pipe coupler herein disclosed has application for connecting together contiguous columns, walls, beams and similar structures to enable buildings, parking garages, bridges, subways and airports to be better able to survive a seismic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Kjell L. Dahl
  • Patent number: 6672018
    Abstract: A solar collector array is formed of a plurality of solar panels mounted on a frame made of support beams which may be sheet metal channel members. A butyl tape or other glazing material is applied between the back laminate of the solar panel and the beam. Clips are used to clamp the panels to the support beams. The clips have an upper portion that is generally T-shaped in profile, and a retainer in the form of a channel nut or bar, with a threaded hole that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener. The retainer biases against the inwardly directed flanges of the channel support beam. Electrical wires and mechanical fasteners are concealed within the support beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jefferson Shingleton
  • Patent number: 6672323
    Abstract: The self-erecting structure has resilient lower and upper support loops which provide it with shape and support. Fabric covers the support loops, and is permanently affixed to the support loops. The fabric has a lower, waterproof portion and an upper insect protection portion. The fabric is preferably treated to provide it with insect repellent and insecticide properties. The support loops are made of flexible, resilient rods made of a material, such as a vinylester and fiberglass combination having a diameter selected to enable the support loops to be folded into six loops, whereby the structure can be compactly stored in a rucksack. The method of folding the structure so that it can be stored in such a compact space is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Raj Kumar Gupta, Young Woo Yoon
  • Patent number: 6662815
    Abstract: A sunshade comprises a supporting rod, a tube supported by the supporting rod, an elbow connected to an end of the tube, and a canopy support frame. A vertical section of the elbow includes two spaced lugs having a space therebetween, an upper wall defining the space including a toothed section. The canopy support frame includes an upper support base having ribs attached thereto for supporting a canopy, a lower support base having stretchers attached thereto for supporting the ribs, and a suspension member fixed to the upper support base to move therewith. The suspension member includes a toothed portion for releasable engagement with the toothed section of the elbow. The toothed portion of the suspension member is engaged with the toothed section of the elbow when the canopy reaches a fully open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Benson Tung
  • Patent number: 6463827
    Abstract: A balancing arrangement for a rotating member, especially for a hollow shaft made from light-weight metal, in which a counterweight of predetermined size and weight is affixed onto the external surfaces of the rotating member in predetermined position by the use of a clamping band made from a material normally devoid of any significant elastic stretchability. Elastic stretchability is imparted to the clamping band by specially configured sections which may be formed by openings or non-rectilinear lateral band portions which become less non-rectilinear in the presence of tensional forces in the band and which elastically return to a more non-linear shape when the tensional forces disappear. The internal surfaces of the counterweight and/or of the clamping band are provided with anchoring means to assure position retention thereof on the external surfaces of the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hans Oetikur AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 6438902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an easily erected small cabin, in particular a toilet cabin, which is provided with a floor part (1), a ceiling part (2), a wall element (3) and corner posts (4) connecting together the wall elements, floor part and ceiling part, and wherein all the parts described hereinabove are manufactured from plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Harald Georg Muller
  • Patent number: 6367216
    Abstract: A fastener clip for use in constructing a security wall system, and a security wall system so constructed are disclosed. The fastener clip has an elongate smooth surfaced planar body, a counter-sunk fastener recess formed s centrally within the body, a fastener opening defined within the recess and extending therethrough, and at least two spaced prongs formed as a part of the body which extend away from the body in a common direction. The fastener recess is sized and shaped to fit within an opening of a rigid mesh wall panel placed in registry with at least one structural frame member of a building. A threaded fastener is passed through the fastener opening and driven into the frame member to seat a bottom portion of the recess and a driving head of the fastener against the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alabama Metal Industries
    Inventor: Gary J. Maylon