Patents by Inventor Robert C. Hightower

Robert C. Hightower 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).

  • Publication number: 20240074579
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a drawer slide to a cabinet rear wall includes: a main panel; at least one lower guide attached to an extending from a lower edge of the main panel; at least one upper guide attached to the main panel above the lower guide to form a gap configured to receive a drawer slide; a latch extending from the main panel adjacent to the lower guide, the latch including an upwardly-extending hook; and openings in the main panel sized and positioned to receive fasteners to fasten the bracket to a rear wall of a cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: William Duggins, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 11812849
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a drawer slide to a cabinet rear wall includes: a main panel; at least one lower guide attached to an extending from a lower edge of the main panel; at least one upper guide attached to the main panel above the lower guide to form a gap configured to receive a drawer slide; a latch extending from the main panel adjacent to the lower guide, the latch including an upwardly-extending hook; and openings in the main panel sized and positioned to receive fasteners to fasten the bracket to a rear wall of a cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Duggins, Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20220202180
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a drawer slide to a cabinet rear wall includes: a main panel; at least one lower guide attached to an extending from a lower edge of the main panel; at least one upper guide attached to the main panel above the lower guide to form a gap configured to receive a drawer slide; a latch extending from the main panel adjacent to the lower guide, the latch including an upwardly-extending hook; and openings in the main panel sized and positioned to receive fasteners to fasten the bracket to a rear wall of a cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: William Duggins, Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20180242736
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a drawer slide to a cabinet rear wall includes: a main panel; at least one lower guide attached to an extending from a lower edge of the main panel; at least one upper guide attached to the main panel above the lower guide to form a gap configured to receive a drawer slide; a latch extending from the main panel adjacent to the lower guide, the latch including an upwardly-extending hook; and openings in the main panel sized and positioned to receive fasteners to fasten the bracket to a rear wall of a cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: William Duggins, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 9549613
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket attached to a drawer slide. The recess is configured to receive and capture a nub extending from the panel of the mating bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20150082597
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket attached to a drawer slide. The recess is configured to receive and capture a nub extending from the panel of the mating bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 8911037
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: a main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket that is attached to a drawer slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 8616664
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a sliding drawer or tray to a frame includes: a main panel; a front panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a floor panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a front lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel; and a floor lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel. In this configuration, the bracket can facilitate precise but simple mounting of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20120145845
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: a main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket that is attached to a drawer slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20110234072
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a drawer slide on a cabinet includes: a mounting bracket having a main panel, the mounting bracket being adapted for mounting to a wall or frame of a cabinet, the mounting bracket including a main panel and receptor mounting structure attached to the main panel; and a slide receptor having a mounting portion that is configured to interact with the receptor mounting structure of the mounting bracket and enable the slide receptor to move horizontally relative to the mounting bracket, the slide receptor also including a receiving portion that is configured to receive a drawer slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7984954
    Abstract: A mounting member for a cabinet tray or drawer includes: an elongate body portion having a front mounting surface and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures located in the front mounting surface. The body portion is a unitary structure and being formed of a polymeric material. This mounting member can be employed in cabinets to mount trays or drawers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20100295434
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a sliding drawer or tray to a frame includes: a main panel; a front panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; and a front lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel. The main panel includes a slot, and a fastener receiving member is configured to slide relative to the slot, the fastener receiving member including a pin that is received in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20100295432
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a sliding drawer or tray to a frame includes: a main panel; a front panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a floor panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a front lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel; and a floor lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel. In this configuration, the bracket can facilitate precise but simple mounting of the drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7780206
    Abstract: A device for protecting first and second con fronting furniture components includes a base member having opposite first and second faces. The first face is adapted to contact the first furniture component, and the base member has a cushioning projection that extends outwardly from the second face of the base member and covers a void within the base member. The projection is adapted to contact the second furniture component as it confronts the first furniture component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Tenn Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7547080
    Abstract: A connector for supporting one or more mounting members that may be used in mounting a drawer within a cabinet includes: a vertically elongated base configured to abut an interior face of a wall of the cabinet and vertically elongated first and second mounting panels that are connected to and projecting outwardly from the base. The second mounting panel may be spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the first mounting panel, and the first and second mounting panels may extend from a base panel that extends perpendicular to the first and second mounting panels. The connector may also include an end panel that connects the distal end of the first mounting panel to the distal end of the second mounting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7244004
    Abstract: A protective device that may be used to shield the corner of an object from damage during shipping, storage, handling or the like comprises a top member, an outer wall, an inner wall opposite the outer wall and a side wall. The walls are connected (either directly or indirectly) to the top member and extend downwardly therefrom, and the side wall and outer wall meet to form an acute angle (e.g., a 45 degree or a 67.5 degree angle). The protective device may also include a raised lip that extends upwardly from the top member along at least a portion of the periphery of the top member and may include ribs that are disposed on the top surface of the top member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tenn-Tax Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7178886
    Abstract: Connectors for attaching a false front panel over an opening in an object comprise a post piece that is configured to attach to the object and a clip piece that comprises a base that is configured to attach to a rear face of the false front panel and at least one snap clip projecting from the base that is configured to receive the post. The post piece of these false front connectors includes a post that has a non-circular cross-section (e.g., a diamond shape), and the interior of the snap clip may also have a non-circular cross-section that is matched to the cross-section of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6881469
    Abstract: A protective device that may be used to shield the corner and/or edges of an object from damage during shipping, storage, handling or the like comprises a cap member, first and second outer arms and first and second inner arms. The arms are connected (either directly or indirectly) to the cap member and extend downwardly therefrom. The first and second inner arms are located generally opposite the first and second outer arms, respectively. The first and second inner arms may each include a protrusion that projects toward the first and second outer arms, respectively. Additionally, the first and second outer arms may be positioned so as to define an obtuse angle (e.g., 135 degrees) opposite the vertical plane defined by the downwardly extending first inner arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6840590
    Abstract: A mounting member for a cabinet tray or drawer includes: an elongate body portion having a front mounting surface and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures located in the front mounting surface. The body portion is a unitary structure and being formed of a polymeric material. This mounting member can be employed in cabinets to mount trays or drawers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040262194
    Abstract: A protective device that may be used to shield the corner of an object from damage during shipping, storage, handling or the like comprises a top member, an outer wall, an inner wall opposite the outer wall and a side wall. The walls are connected (either directly or indirectly) to the top member and extend downwardly therefrom, and the side wall and outer wall meet to form an acute angle (e.g., a 45 degree or a 67.5 degree angle). The protective device may also include a raised lip that extends upwardly from the top member along at least a portion of the periphery of the top member and may include ribs that are disposed on the top surface of the top member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower