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).

  • Patent number: 6835022
    Abstract: A connector for an enclosure comprises: a main panel having inner and outer surfaces and a front end; a toe kick support panel extending generally perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of the inner surface of the main panel; a toe kick retaining flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front end of the inner surface of the main panel, the toe kick retaining flange, the toe kick support panel, and the main panel inner surface defining an open toe kick channel; and a side edge retaining flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front end of the outer surface of the main panel. In certain embodiments, the toe kick retaining flange and the side edge retaining flange are directly opposite each other across the main panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040209040
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040188583
    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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6729664
    Abstract: A device for protecting first and second confronting 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: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040070215
    Abstract: A device for protecting first and second confronting 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040009035
    Abstract: A connector for an enclosure comprises: a main panel having inner and outer surfaces and a front end; a toe kick support panel extending generally perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of the inner surface of the main panel; a toe kick retaining flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front end of the inner surface of the main panel, the toe kick retaining flange, the toe kick support panel, and the main panel inner surface defining an open toe kick channel; and a side edge retaining flange extending generally perpendicularly from the front end of the outer surface of the main panel. In certain embodiments, the toe kick retaining flange and the side edge retaining flange are directly opposite each other across the main panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20030218409
    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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20030209957
    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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6609338
    Abstract: A retainer clip includes a shaft extending along a clip axis. The shaft has a shaft diameter and first and second opposed ends. A head extends radially outwardly from the shaft adjacent the first end of the shaft. The head has a head diameter which is greater than the shaft diameter. The head includes a cam surface extending circumferentially about the shaft and facing the second end. At least two portions of the cam surface located at different circumferential positions about the shaft are disposed at different axial distances from the second end. A frame/panel assembly may be formed by mounting and retaining a panel member in a frame using one or more of the retainer clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6557956
    Abstract: Connectors for attaching a false front panel over an opening in an object comprise a body portion that is configured to abut and attach to a rear side of the false front panel, and first and second snap clips that extend from the body portion and which are configured to engage opposing walls that define the opening in the object. These connectors may further include a third snap clip that extends from the body portion and that is configured to engage a third of the walls that defines the opening. The body portion of the connectors may extend the full width of the opening to be covered to facilitate alignment of the connector on the rear side of the false front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6533374
    Abstract: Clips for restraining furniture doors from both vertical and horizontal movement during shipping and handling are provided. A clip includes an elongated base member having opposite first and second sides. A pair of elongated first and second panels extend outwardly from the base member first side in spaced-apart, opposing relationship. The first and second panels are configured to removably secure a portion of a furniture frame. An elongated third panel extends outwardly from the base member second side and is configured to engage an end portion of a furniture door and removably secure the door against the base member second side such that vertical and horizontal movement of the door relative to the frame is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20020162289
    Abstract: A retainer clip includes a shaft extending along a clip axis. The shaft has a shaft diameter and first and second opposed ends. A head extends radially outwardly from the shaft adjacent the first end of the shaft. The head has a head diameter which is greater than the shaft diameter. The head includes a cam surface extending circumferentially about the shaft and facing the second end. At least two portions of the cam surface located at different circumferential positions about the shaft are disposed at different axial distances from the second end. A frame/panel assembly may be formed by mounting and retaining a panel member in a frame using one or more of the retainer clips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20020096978
    Abstract: Connectors for attaching a false front panel over an opening in an object comprise a body portion that is configured to abut and attach to a rear side of the false front panel, and first and second snap clips that extend from the body portion and which are configured to engage opposing walls that define the opening in the object. These connectors may further include a third snap clip that extends from the body portion and that is configured to engage a third of the walls that defines the opening. The body portion of the connectors may extend the full width of the opening to be covered to facilitate alignment of the connector on the rear side of the false front panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Publication number: 20020089269
    Abstract: Clips for restraining furniture doors from both vertical and horizontal movement during shipping and handling are provided. A clip includes an elongated base member having opposite first and second sides. A pair of elongated first and second panels extend outwardly from the base member first side in spaced-apart, opposing relationship. The first and second panels are configured to removably secure a portion of a furniture frame. An elongated third panel extends outwardly from the base member second side and is configured to engage an end portion of a furniture door and removably secure the door against the base member second side such that vertical and horizontal movement of the door relative to the frame is restrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 6368694
    Abstract: A corner protector useful for shielding the corner of a cabinet from damage during shipping, storage, handling or the like, comprises a top member having an outer portion, an inner portion, and a generally flat planar bottom portion. A first pair of arm members is connected to the top member outer portion and projects downward therefrom, with the first pair of arm members being positioned substantially perpendicularly to one another, each of the first arm members having a generally flat planar bottom edge portion oriented substantially parallel with one another and substantially parallel with the top member bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marsh, Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: D481619
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: D486678
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: D494057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower