Patents by Inventor William E. Adams

William E. Adams 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: 7207088
    Abstract: A door hook including a U-shaped bracket having a top member and a front side and back side attached to the top member. The front and back sides are separated by a first distance, which corresponds generally to the thickness of a door over which the door hook is to be placed. A hook is attached to the front side, while a spacer portion is attached to the back side or top. A frangible joint is formed in the back side or top such that the spacer portion can be detached and then reattached to the back side. With the spacer portion in this reattached position the spacer portion and the front side are separated by a second distance, different from and typically less than the first-distance. The second distance corresponds generally to the thickness of a thinner or thicker door, over which the door hook may be placed after removal or removal and reattachment of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Adams, George LeMieux
  • Patent number: 7185864
    Abstract: A door hook including a U-shaped bracket having a top member and front and back sides attached to the top member. The front and back sides are separated by a first distance, which corresponds generally to the thickness of a door over which the door hook is to be placed. A J-hook is attached to the front side, while a spacing member is attached to the back side or top. A hinge element is formed in the back side or top such that the spacing member is pivotable toward a position under the top member. With the spacing member in this position, the spacing member and the front side are separated by a second distance, less than the first distance, which corresponds generally to the thickness of a thinner, second door over which the door hook may be placed. In this manner, the door hook may be easily adjusted to fit over doors having different thickness, such as, for example, exterior and interior doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 7182304
    Abstract: A hook for holding objects under a shelf or mantel has a body configured so that when the hook is positioned for holding an object under a shelf or mantel, a mounting end will be adjacent the top surface of the shelf and the opposite end will be under the bottom surface of the shelf. A resilient gripper body is attached to the mounting end of the hook body. The gripper body has a curved surface which is positioned for engagement with the top surface of the shelf. When the hook is placed on the top surface and no load is on the hook, a first portion of the curved surfaced will be on the top surface of the shelf and a second portion of the curved surface will be spaced away from the top surface of the shelf. As increasing loads are placed on the hook, the shape of the curved surface will change increasing the contact area between the gripper body and the top surface of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 7159353
    Abstract: A shotgun has two or more firing chambers, each chamber having an exit opening, and a single barrel. A transition connects the exit openings of the firing chambers to the barrel. A movable cover is positioned over or adjacent to the exit opening of at least one of the plurality of firing chambers and can be moved to be positioned over the exit opening of another of the firing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 7017834
    Abstract: A system that is used for control of various liquids, including storage, mixing and dispersing thereof, but more particularly pertains to an improved system that is suitable for use with substantially any type of liquid of user choice. The system is economical, simplified, environmentally friendly, and includes use of multipurpose container(s) that further include various components and/or attachments which allow for storage, mixing and dispensing there from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, William E. Adams, Steven M. Waldren, Timothy B. Waldren, Phillip B. Waldren, Sharon A. Waldren, Allan E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6869053
    Abstract: A holder for a razor or similarly shaped article has a suction cup and a split ring or a stem held within at least one bore through the neck of the suction cup. The bore and the ends of the split ring or stem have a multi-sided, preferable a square, cross section. Each side aligns with and is opposite a side of the bore keeping the split ring or stem in a selected position relative to the suction cup. When a square bore is used, the ring can be rotated 90 degrees within the bore from a plane parallel to a wall on which the suction cup could be mounted to a plane perpendicular to that wall. When a razor is placed within the ring when the ring is perpendicular to the wall, the ring will not be deflected downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams, IV
  • Patent number: 6857247
    Abstract: A construction element has at least one coupling device and the coupling device has at least two prongs. Each prong is comprised of two radially extending mating surfaces which frictionally engage the radially extending surfaces of a mating coupling device. The construction device may have a straight shaft or an angled shaft to accommodate the needs of the user and, furthermore, the prongs of a coupling device may be inserted within mateable apertures in the shaft of another construction element. Using a plurality of such construction elements, a lattice frame may be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 6854610
    Abstract: An over the door hook has a U-shaped bracket with at least one curved hook sized to receive a hook segment. Two or more plastic hook segments have an opening at an upper end and a curved hook at the lower end. The curved hook of one segment fits through the opening in another hook segment. The two segments are locked together by a tab or tooth in one segment that fits into a slot or recess in a second segment. An alternative is to provide a boss adjacent the opening at the upper end of one segment that is gripped by the curved hook of the second segment. Similar locking arrangements can be provided to lock a hook segment to the U-shaped bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 6826811
    Abstract: A two piece jaw type clip has a standard base member and a decoratively shaped top member that could be any of a number of pleasing shapes that can be interchangeably attached to the base. The base member has a generally flat or single step shaped body having a spring portion that extends in an arc over the body. The body of the base has slots or sockets that receive complimentary legs or prongs extending from the underside of the top piece to enable pivotable attachment of the two members together. Alternatively the legs could extend from the base into sockets in the top member. The top member has a cutout through which the spring portion from the base member extends and presses the top member against the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Publication number: 20040173550
    Abstract: An over the door hook has a U-shaped bracket with at least one curved hook sized to receive a hook segment. Two or more plastic hook segments have an opening at an upper end and a curved hook at the lower end. The curved hook of one segment fits through the opening in another hook segment. The two segments are locked together by a tab or tooth in one segment that fits into a slot or recess in a second segment. An alternative is to provide a boss adjacent the opening at the upper end of one segment that is gripped by the curved hook of the second segment. Similar locking arrangements can be provided to lock a hook segment to the U-shaped bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Publication number: 20040129846
    Abstract: A device is provided for mounting decorative lights has a ribbon-shaped body having a front face, a rear face, and two ends. One end has a spiral curvature of sufficient size, shape and resilience to enable the spiral end to be opened and placed upon a rail or post having at least one substantially flat side. The spiral has at least one flat segment that is positioned on the spiral to press against the substantially flat side of the rail or post preventing the device from being dislodged by common winter winds. A hook at the second end defines one or more openings of sufficient size to receive a decorative light socket, a rope light or an electrical cord. Straight surfaces can be provided on each of the hook end and the spiral that are opposite one another so that a decorative light socket can be held between the straight surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: William E. Adams, Robert Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20040066063
    Abstract: A molded resin folding chair having a pair of uprights generally parallel to and spaced apart from each other being connected by at least one cross piece forming a backrest. At least a portion of each upright has a generally C-shaped channel. A seat has a rear portion and opposite sides thereof provided with a tab that is slidably engaged in the C-shaped channel of a respective upright. A pair of struts each have an upper end rotatably attached to the seat and a medial region rotatably attached to respective uprights. The folding chair is folded by sliding the rear of the seat upwards, causing the front portion to move downwards, via the tabs sliding in the C-shaped channels. The struts rotate about the rotatable attachments to the seat and uprights, such that the uprights, struts and the seat fold as flat as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: William E. Adams, Matthew W. Goodworth
  • Patent number: 6715429
    Abstract: A folding table having a first and second tabletop portions pivotably connected to first and second pairs of legs respectively. The folding table may comprise a pair of buttresses protruding from each of the first and second pair of legs, such that when the table is in the collapsed position, each pair of buttresses extend through openings in a corresponding table top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Adams Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Adams, David M. Fountain, Theodore Bloom
  • Publication number: 20040046051
    Abstract: A system that is used for control of various liquids, including storage, mixing and dispersing thereof, but more particularly pertains to an improved system that is suitable for use with substantially any type of liquid of user choice. The system is economical, simplified, environmentally friendly, and includes use of multipurpose container(s) that further include various components and/or attachments which allow for storage, mixing and dispensing there from.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, William E. Adams, Steven M. Waldren, Timothy B. Waldren, Phillip B. Waldren, Sharon A. Waldren, Allan E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6681451
    Abstract: A flexible plastic tie molded from a plastic having a durometer of from 60 to 95 has an elongated spine with a plurality of rod-like projections attached to the spine. The projections are arranged in spaced apart pairs such that each pair of projections is co-linear and there is a selected distance between the distal ends of each pair of projections. A fastening head is attached to one end of the spine. There is a generally rectangular slot passing through the fastening head. The slot has a width not less than the width of the spine and less than the selected distance between the distal ends of each pair of projections, such that the slot and the outside surface define a wall encircling the slot. The projections have a height of greater than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Adams, Matthew H. French
  • Patent number: 6682138
    Abstract: A molded resin folding chair having a pair of uprights generally parallel to and spaced apart from each other being connected by at least one cross piece forming a backrest. At least a portion of each upright has a generally C-shaped channel. A seat has a rear portion and opposite sides thereof provided with a tab that is slidably engaged in the C-shaped channel of a respective upright. A pair of struts each have an upper end rotatably attached to the seat and a medial region rotatably attached to respective uprights. The folding chair is folded by sliding the rear of the seat upwards, causing the front portion to move downwards, via the tabs sliding in the C-shaped channels. The struts rotate about the rotatable attachments to the seat and uprights, such that the uprights, struts and the seat fold as flat as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Adams, Matthew W. Goodworth
  • Publication number: 20030233740
    Abstract: A two piece jaw type clip has a standard base member and a decoratively shaped top member that could be any of a number of pleasing shapes that can be interchangeably attached to the base. The base member has a generally flat or single step shaped body having a spring portion that extends in an arc over the body. The body of the base has slots or sockets that receive complimentary legs or prongs extending from the underside of the top piece to enable pivotable attachment of the two members together. Alternatively the legs could extend from the base into sockets in the top member. The top member has a cutout through which the spring portion from the base member extends and presses the top member against the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 6666151
    Abstract: A folding table including a base member and first and second table top portions that are pivotably connected to the base with two first and two second arm members. In one embodiment, the folding table may include at least one rod member connected to and extending between the two first arm members. It may also include at least one rib attached to the table top and sized to engage the rod member when the table is in its assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Adams Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: D509970
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: D492890
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams