Patents by Inventor William L. Bartz, Jr.

William L. Bartz, Jr. 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: 20090212511
    Abstract: A skate for a storage device for use with a floor track system comprises an elongate inverted U-shaped channel member having front and rear end portions. Front and rear wheels within the channel member are journaled thereto for rotation along the rails of the floor track system. A storage device is mounted on a pair of parallel skates for movement along the rails. An anti-tipping bracket is secured to the channel member, and the anti-tipping bracket includes a framework outwardly extending from the front end portion of the channel member to prevent forward tipping of the storage device by engaging forward support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: METAL MASTERS FOODSERVICE EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
    Inventors: Paul Northam, Eric Yocum, William L. Bartz, JR.
  • Patent number: 7568436
    Abstract: A shelving system comprises a plurality of upright support posts, a shelf having multiple corners and adjustable multi-component corner structure at each corner of the shelf for connecting the shelf to the posts. Each corner structure includes a base segment movably and adjustably connected to the shelf and an outside segment releasably secured to the base segment. The base segment is adjustable with respect to the shelf for proper alignment and connection of the corner structures to the posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. McAllister, William L. Bartz, Jr., Kenneth S. Christianson
  • Patent number: 6712010
    Abstract: The present disclosure defines a metal worktable comprising a tabletop and a plurality of table legs. The worktable has leg-supporting gussets to secure each of the table legs. Each gusset has a socket for receiving one of the table legs. Inside the socket of the gusset, there are stop protrusions that prevent the top surface of the table leg from directly contacting the underside of the tabletop. The worktable also has a inverted hat-shaped channel frame having a pair of side flanges that form the “brim” of the inverted hat shape. There are openings in the channel frame corresponding to the location of the table legs. At each opening in the channel frame, the corresponding leg-supporting gusset is recessed in the channel frame. The gusset contacts the side flanges of the channel frame rather than the underside of the tabletop. The channel frame is attached to the underside of the tabletop. Additionally, the corners of the tabletop are mitered to form a continuous lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Bartz, Jr., Thomas A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6345795
    Abstract: A shelf bracket for supporting and adjustably attaching shelving to vertically support structure comprises an elongate member having opposite end portions, and an open U-shaped shelf supporting channel along a lower edge thereof. One of the end portions of the elongate member includes structure arranged to adjustably attach the bracket to vertical support structure. An inverted U-shaped shelf retaining channel extends along an upper edge of the elongate member. The open U-shaped shelf supporting channel functions to receive and support shelving when inserted therein, and the inverted U-shaped shelf retaining channel functions to snap fit over and thereby retain such shelving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Bartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5884567
    Abstract: Split collars function to releasably attach shelving to a plurality of vertical support posts. Each collar comprises a front half and a rear half with interlocking structure between the collar halves for releasably locking them together. Each split collar has a frusto-conical interior surface, and an upwardly extending shelf supporting hook is integral with one of the collar halves. When the split collars are attached to the support posts the hooks engage and support the shelving, Such shelving may be mounted horizontally or angularly, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Bartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5868263
    Abstract: A wall mounted storage system includes at least one pair of spaced apart vertical hanger bars for attachment to a studded wall or comparable structure. At least one removable shelf support bracket is associated with each hanger bar, and the bracket is removably connected to the bar at any one of a plurality of vertical locations along the bar. A shelf is supported by the brackets and releasably attached thereto by rear hooks on the brackets that hook over the rear rail of the shelf. An upwardly extending retainer loop on each bracket extends through the shelf and engages the front rail thereof. The hooks and loops on the shelf brackets interact with the shelf to positively secure the shelf in place and prevent it from tipping or shifting forward or sideways. Horizontal spacing of the hanger bars is not critical and the shelf may be releasably secured to the brackets even when the horizontal distance between the bars varies from one location to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice & Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. McAllister, William L. Bartz, Jr., John D. Poore
  • Patent number: 5680942
    Abstract: An overhead track high density storage system is formed by connecting an overhead track to the top posts of stationary storage units, thereby holding the track above a horizontal support surface, such as the floor. Movable storage units, such as shelves mounted on casters, are positioned between the stationary storage units. Guide roller means attached to the top of the movable storage units are received within the track so that translational movement of the movable storage unit is confined to a path defined by the track. The guide roller means include a center guide roller and at least one side guide roller mounted for rotational movement to a guide roller support channel. Each caster is locked into a directional position to prevent swiveling with a single caster alignment clip, which includes upstanding fingers defining a slot therebetween. The slot of the clip engages a portion of the movable storage unit, such as a support rod in a truss of a wire shelf that forms a part of the movable storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. McAllister, John D. Poore, William L. Bartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: D435787
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Bartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: D395000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice & Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Bartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: D429865
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Metal Masters Foodservice & Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Bartz, Jr., Paul E. Northam