Patents by Inventor Derek N. G. Metcalf

Derek N. G. Metcalf 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: 5662047
    Abstract: A portable fold-up, tray attachable to the steering wheel of a motorized vehicle made up of two rigid, U-shaped frames of different size so that the smaller thereof is nestable within the larger frame corresponding arms of the two frames are pivotally interconnected to afford folding movement of the smaller frame relative to the larger frame. Stops are provided for limiting such folding movement and a pair of rigid links are pivotally joined to the arms of the larger frame to move outwardly therefrom in a direction opposite to the movement of the smaller frame; such links carrying parallel, elongated members for embracing the front and back sides of a peripheral portion of the vehicle steering wheel whereby to removeably support the tray in working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 5641083
    Abstract: An adjustable cantilever mounted shelf and support assembly is disclosed in which a generally quadrangular planar shelf structure is fitted with a pair of rigid, fixed anchor brackets extending from rear corners of the shelf. Each bracket includes a linear body having a parallel offset upstanding peg at its upper end aligned at an acute angle to the plane of the shelf and a co-planar rearwardly extending peg at its lower end aligned parallel to the plane of the shelf; selected of such pegs being insertible into appropriately spaced openings in corresponding walls of vertical support members to effect mounting the shelf in either horizontal or inclined positions as selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 5347922
    Abstract: A merchandise display rack employing spaced two tubular uprights of quadrangular cross section having one wall provided with connector openings each receptive of a single connector pin extending outwardly from the outer ends of parallel tubular arms of quadrangular cross section associated with a shelf structure; the connector pins causing the outer ends of the tubular arms to tightly abut the uprights and provide a stable cantilever support for the shelf structure when the latter is horizontally positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 5303830
    Abstract: An assembly for vertically extending a gondola display area which includes a pair of upright extension tubes, each with a single protruding mounting hanger connectable with slotted openings in tubular vertical uprights of the display framework; adjustment and locking brackets fasten to each extension tube, above and below the mounting hanger thereon, for pivotally adjusting and locking the extension tubes in parallel relation to support one or more horizontal cross bars having elongated retention rods for coupling plural detachable merchandise display elements to the crossbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 4832298
    Abstract: An improved hook structure for use with crossbar grid merchandise display systems capable of snap-fit engagement with pairs of adjacent horizontal grid crossbars or wires at selected lateral positions; the hook structures being slidable along the crossbars and characterized by a narrow dimensioned hook section composed of a sandwich assembly of two identical parallel metal hook plates disposed on opposite sides of and integrated with an interposed base end of a wire display rod. The metal sandwich structure so formed, permits interlocking back-to-back application of a pair of hook structures when sharing the same pair of grid crossbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 4060214
    Abstract: A counter-top stand for displaying merchandise, in which a tubular support pole is held in operationally upright position by a ground engaging base or pedestal and mounts at least one support member from which merchandise display racks or baskets are suspended outwardly about the support pole. The base or pedestal is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced ground engaging legs, each having an upstanding inner end portion. The several legs are fixed to a central base ring with the upstanding ends thereof projecting upwardly for insertion into the lower interior of the pole. Connection between the legs and ring is such as to pitch the latter downwardly from the general plane of the ring and thereby angularly diverging their several upstanding end portions. Downward pressure on the base ring flexes the same to converge the upstanding end portions of the legs toward one another whereby to permit their insertion into the open lower end of the tubular pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 3995744
    Abstract: A collapsible merchandise display system employing a ground engaging pedestal having a central tubular hub for receiving an upright support pole on which are rotatably mounted one or more support means. Each support means is particularly distinguished by parallel spaced rails separated by a vertical space or gap for receiving mounting hook portions of wire formed display baskets. The baskets are uniquely constructed to define an open top article confining pocket having a generally open front wall defined by an article restraining barrier related to the upper rim of the basket in such a fashion as to permit internesting of the baskets. Since the system components are readily assembled and disassembled, the same are conveniently transported and stored in knocked down condition to minimize shipping and storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: Athena Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek N. G. Metcalf