Patents by Inventor Ralph Beals

Ralph Beals 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: 5456531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and the method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kickplate, drawers and drawer supports are designed to be cut from a minimum of four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of certain component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Hon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Beals
  • Patent number: 5433516
    Abstract: A storage cabinet is formed of a plurality of generally planar prepainted sheet metal panels adhesively laminated to one another substantially throughout overlapping edge portions to define a case of said cabinet. Certain of the panels are formed with deep narrow inwardly projecting reinforcing ribs disposed along edge portions of one side of the cabinet near the vertical corners, thereby forming reinforcing structures adjacent those corners. These ribs are narrow channels open to the outside of the cabinet. Another side panel formed with edge flanges at right angles to its major plane is mounted with these flanges disposed in the open channels, thereby further enhancing the strength of the cabinet, facilitating construction, and hiding the edges of the latter panel. Improved roller slide supports for the drawers are included, in which channels are formed for lateral confinement of the support rollers to desired predetermined tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Hon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Beals, Stanley M. Howe, William G. Kackley
  • Patent number: 5251974
    Abstract: A rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and a method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kick plate, drawers, any interior webs, and drawer supports are designed to be cut from only four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of certain component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Beals
  • Patent number: 5214836
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and the method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kickplate, drawers and drawer supports are designed to be cut from a minimum of four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of cetain component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Beals
  • Patent number: 5152591
    Abstract: A lightweight and rigid panel construction for a desk top having a unitary rectangular thin sheet metal top with integral channels along its longitudinal edges. Sheet metal reinforcing channels disposed along the longitudinal edges and the underside of the sheet metal wherein the channels are engaged by protrusions or plugs of a rigid end cap to provide structural support. A U-shaped tubular leg structure engages in the ends of the channels and is retained by the end cap for an end support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Beals
  • Patent number: 5139292
    Abstract: An alarm lock for securely locking both edges of an emergency exit door. A rigid, hollow housing mounts upon an existing door between opposing door facings. A pair of rigid, elongated rods is longitudinally displaceable within the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. The rods are driven by a coupler confined within the housing and coupled to a rotatable crank controlled by a paddle arm handle assembly. The crank is journaled for rotation about a rigid axle which projects through the housing interior. Movement of the handle rotates the crank, selectively extending and retracting the rods into and out of engagement with the door casings. A panel mounted on the paddle arm clearly displays instructions for emergency use. When the handle is activated, a rigid follower associated with one of the rods forcibly contacts an alarm switch to activate an audible transducer. The alarm may be manually disarmed and reset by manipulation of a key switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Ralph's Welding Inc.
    Inventor: L. Ralph Beals
  • Patent number: 5102210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rugged and inexpensive filing cabinet constructed from thin, prefinished metal and the method for making the same. All component parts including the case envelope, case back, kickplate, drawers and drawer supports are designed to be cut from a minimum of four discrete coils of metal with waste attributable to trimming or removal of excess metal maintained at a minimum. Ruggedness and strength are maintained, despite the relative thinness of the metal, because the vertical corners and other potentially critical areas subjected to increased stress are reinforced with structural elements adhesively bonded in place. Certain structural elements also function as jigging members during the adhesive bonding of the component parts. In addition, the design of the present invention provides a versatile and adaptable end product due to the interchangeability of certain component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Beals
  • Patent number: 4921266
    Abstract: A fifth wheel gooseneck trailer ball coupling system for user mounting to pickup trucks comprises a multi-piece stress distributing frame and a hammer actuated ball coupling which enables the user to deploy the system in towing or non-towing modes with the use of a simple hammer. The three piece frame comprises a first generally rectangular, bed plate adapted to be disposed upon the bed of the pickup truck and bolted to the chassis, a second, back-up plate of a generally rectangular or square configuration, which is carefully welded at the front center of the bed plate, and a third frame plate, in the form of an annular apertured hammer ball base plate welded to the back-up plate. The hammer ball base plate comprises a rigid steel, annular disk comprising a central threaded orifice which receives the ball coupling. The ball coupling comprises a rigid spherical ball integral with a base portion and a downwardly projecting threaded shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Ralph Beals