Patents by Inventor David E. Workman

David E. Workman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6464180
    Abstract: A pipe attaching apparatus is used to attach pipe, electrical conduit and the like to a channel support without the use of tools. With one hand, an installer holds the apparatus containing a pipe between two clamp halves, squeezes a pair of base plates together, inserts a pair of hooks into a support channel and releases the base plates so that the hooks engage inturned flanges in the support channel. Using the same hand, the installer locks the apparatus by engaging a pair of locking pins on a cam in holes in the base plates. The cam in a locked position gives a visual indication of successful installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: 3 North Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Publication number: 20020000498
    Abstract: A pipe attaching apparatus is used to attach pipe, electrical conduit and the like to a channel support without the use of tools. With one hand, an installer holds the apparatus containing a pipe between two clamp halves, squeezes a pair of base plates together, inserts a pair of hooks into a support channel and releases the base plates so that the hooks engage inturned flanges in the support channel. Using the same hand, the installer locks the apparatus by engaging a pair of locking pins on a cam in holes in the base plates. The cam in a locked position gives a visual indication of successful installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: 6141841
    Abstract: An add-a-bag assembly for luggage has a base attached to a top wall of the luggage and a buckle that is detachably received on the base. The base has a buckle-receiving portion defined by spaced-apart side walls, each of which has a front overhanging abutment surface that slopes downwardly and rearwardly from a front upper surface. A retainer boss projects laterally from each side wall of the buckle and engages one of the overhanging abutment surfaces of the side wall. Releasable rear locking surfaces on the base and the buckle located rearwardly of the bosses and overhanging abutment surfaces engage each other so as to prevent translatory forward movement of the buckle relative to the base and maintain the bosses on the buckle in engagement under the overhanging abutment surfaces of the base. Tab and slot detents latch the buckle in place. A strap is secured to the rear edge of the body portion of the buckle and is adapted to be joined to an article that is piggybacked on the luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Tumi, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: 6047442
    Abstract: A releasable lock mechanism includes a base having guideways that carry a pair of lock rods for lateral movement along a drive axis in opposite directions with respect to each other between outward, locking positions in which noses on the distal ends of the lock rods are received in holes in each of the two legs of a U-shaped towing handle and inward, release positions, in which the noses are withdrawn from the holes so that the handle can be moved. A push-button driver plate moves along the base perpendicular to the drive axis and pushes the lock rods in and out along drive axis by cam slots on the driver plate that work against cam posts on the lock rods. A compression spring biases the driver plate to an upward position, in which the lock rods are engaged in, or are biased outwardly in readiness to be engaged in, the holes in the towing handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Tumi, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: 5494157
    Abstract: Dozens of companies offer many different types of cases specifically designed to carry microcomputers. One type of microcomputer, the laptop style, can be carried by hand or from a shoulder strap in such cases. Unfortunately, as these microcomputers become more powerful tools for scientists, students, engineers, artists, and medical personnel, there is a ever greater need to protect these devices while enhancing their ready access and ease of use. These two conflicting requirements, easy removal from the carrying case, and superior protection from weather and impact, have not been adequately met by these several computer cases. This computer case provides a main packing space for the microcomputer defined by a "C" shaped rigid frame and corresponding shock absorbing pad, the forth side of the packing space is selectively closed by a padded access door. The handle and/or shoulder strap is riveted to the upper side of this "C" shaped frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Golenz, James A. Reiner, Jack W. Renforth, David E. Workman
  • Patent number: 5113983
    Abstract: Frames for softsided luggage usually comprise a hoop-shaped member of extruded plastic or metal attached to a bottom board to which in turn is attached wheels or the like. The means of attachment between this frame member and bottom board leads to aesthetic problems with regard to cluttered interior space. Disclosed is a luggage case and frame construction wherein the downwardly directed leg members of an extruded frame member terminate in splayed or outwardly directed attachment feet. Each attachment foot thus is positioned and permanently fixed to an end portion of the bottom board. Adjacent to the leg member is a divider panel, preferably in the form of a pouch-like cloth construction, which is attached to the associated end panel and forms an auxiliary compartment accessible through the end panel via a zipper. The pouch-like construction rests directly on the attachment foot, at least partially covering it, thus avoiding the addition of a cloth panel or auxiliary board for that purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: 4784248
    Abstract: Flexible extruded piping for use between adjacent panels of luggage or the like. Shoulders extending outwardly from the sides of the tubular portion are of a different color than that of the exposed tubular portion to provide a color trim. The shoulders stabilize the piping to prevent twisting of the piping around corners, thereby maintaining the neat appearance of the trim. The different colored parts of the piping are formed by coextruding different colored plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: 4433761
    Abstract: A portfolio for an attache case or the like includes a front panel assembly defined by a portfolio frame and a backing panel. The portfolio frame is preferably formed from a single piece of molded material, such as plastic, having flexible but semirigid characteristics. A peripheral margin structure of the portfolio frame defines an interior opening through the frame, and the backing panel covers the interior opening. Article retention means extend from the peripheral margin structure into the interior opening. The article retention means cooperate with the backing panel to retain articles therebetween. The backing panel is attached to the portfolio frame preferably by ultrasonically deforming projections from the frame over openings in the panel. A pocket structure of the portfolio is preferably sewn to rearward extending skirt portions of the peripheral margin structure of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Winter, David E. Workman, Mark B. Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 4280247
    Abstract: This invention is a handle assembly for luggage. It includes an elongated, hollow, complaint handgrip portion having a pair of parallel grooves on its upper surface. A rigid end member is received in each end of the hollow handgrip and extends away from the same side of the handgrip at a divergent angle. Openings in the distal ends of the rigid end members engage co-operating means on the luggage case. A metal U-shaped member engages the two inserted rigid end members and the parallel grooves to hold the handle parts in proper assembled relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Don N. Burzen, David E. Workman, Robert L. Bromley, Daniel G. Elles, James E. Wilkuski
  • Patent number: D273913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Nordstrom, David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D278000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Nordstrom, David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D278878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Workman, William L. King
  • Patent number: D282509
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Nordstrom, David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D286466
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: William L. King, David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D311276
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D313888
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D315285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D417134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tumi, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Workman
  • Patent number: D419853
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Tumi, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Workman, Timm John Fenton
  • Patent number: D424403
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Tumi, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Workman, Timm Fenton