Multiplanar To Coplanar Position Patents (Class 108/17)
  • Patent number: 12038019
    Abstract: A battery powered fan assembly for use with a stackable storage system includes a base defining a storage area, a fan housing that at least partially defines an airflow chamber, a plurality of fan blades positioned within the airflow chamber, a motor operable to rotate the plurality of fan blades, a battery receptacle configured to receive a removable battery pack to power the motor, a mating interface formed on at least one of the base and the fan housing, and a latch mounted to the base. The mating interface is configured to interact with a complementary mating interface formed on a stackable element of the stackable storage system, and the latch is configured to selectively inhibit relative movement between the fan assembly and the stackable element while the mating interface of the fan assembly interacts with the complementary mating interface of the stackable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher S. Spaulding, Alexander J. Goodman, Austin F. de Veer, Ellen M. Owens, Scott T. Moeller, John S. Scott, Timothy J. Campbell, Jules F. Miller, Christopher J. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 11974673
    Abstract: A system for constructing a piece of furniture, partitions or an exhibition stand, the system including a supporting structure which has a flat shape and has a plurality of side edges, where interfaces embodied and designed for connection to other system components are provided on at least two edges, where at least one adjusting element is interlockingly and/or frictionally attached to the interfaces arranged on the edges and pertaining to the at least one supporting structure, where the interfaces are arranged in the edges of the supporting structure and protected by the supporting structure being at least partially built into the supporting structure and arranged in recesses provided in the side edges, and the at least one adjusting element is attached to the interfaces by means of a mating part to the respective interface resulting in a flexible, modular system with interfaces on the edges of a supporting structure, by means of which all of the functions of a piece of furniture can be covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Frank Maager
  • Patent number: 11717082
    Abstract: A convertible item of furniture including: a plurality of shelf units, wherein each shelf unit has a horizontally extending leave and at least one leave support for supporting the leave; a drive system operably connected to each leave support such that the leaves remain horizontal when the shelf units are moved between a vertical configuration and a horizontal configuration; and, an anti-tip leg system. The anti-tip leg system has a front leg assembly and a rear leg assembly including an upwardly extending pair of rear legs, each rear leg comprising a rear leg upper region operably connected to a shelf unit or a part of the drive system, and a rear leg lower region supporting at least one wheel, and a linkage assembly interconnecting the front and rear leg assemblies. A spacing between the front and rear leg lower regions increases as the shelf units move towards the horizontal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Ashley Norman Olsson
  • Patent number: 11457727
    Abstract: A travel tray assembly for carrying food items on an article of luggage includes an article of luggage that has dimensions that conform to carry-on requirements of commercial airlines. A tray is provided that has a plurality of openings therein for receiving a food item. A pair of clamps is coupled to the tray and each of the clamps releasably engages a respective strut on the article of luggage. The tray is horizontally oriented on the top side of the article of luggage when the clamps engage the respective strut. A cover is foldably coupled to the tray and the cover is positionable over a respective one of the openings in the tray to cover the food items in the respective opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Dorothy Weber
  • Patent number: 10413053
    Abstract: An adjustable desk platform can include: an upper platform defining a substantially planar work surface; a base located beneath the upper platform, the base defining a bottom surface without legs that is adapted to sit on an existing desk; first and second sets of arms coupling the upper platform to the base, wherein the first and second sets of arms are adapted for movement of the upper platform substantially in parallel with the base between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position; and a user-operable locking mechanism associated with the upper platform, the locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the upper platform in the fully raised position, and in at least one intermediate position between the fully raised position and the fully lowered position. Other features and embodiments are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Varidesk, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel G. Flaherty, David Patton, Sheng C. Wang
  • Patent number: 9113703
    Abstract: Adjustable desk platform includes an upper platform defining a first substantially planar work surface; a lower platform defining a second substantially planar work surface; at least one set of pivot arms connecting the lower platform and the upper platform, the set of pivot arms including a primary pivot arm and a secondary pivot arm. The set of pivot arms is adapted to move the upper platform substantially in parallel with the lower platform between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position. A locking mechanism includes a plurality of perforations located in the primary pivot arm or the secondary pivot arm, a locking set fixed with respect to the upper platform or lower platform, the locking set including at least one anchor adapted to selectively engage at least one of the plurality of perforations, and a handle connected to the anchor by a linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Varidesk, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9055810
    Abstract: An adjustable desk platform includes an upper platform defining a substantially planar work surface. A lower platform is located beneath the upper platform. At least one set of pivot arms connect the lower platform and the upper platform, the set of pivot arms including a primary pivot arm and a secondary pivot arm. The set of pivot arms is adapted to move the upper platform substantially in parallel with the lower platform between a fully raised position and a fully lowered position. A locking mechanism is associated with the set of pivot arms. The locking mechanism is adapted to releasably lock the upper platform in the fully raised position and in the fully lowered position. A keyboard tray is suspended below the upper platform, the keyboard tray adapted to support a computer keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Varidesk, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel G. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 8955656
    Abstract: A luggage table adapted to couple to a suitcase and provide a conveniently located, relatively stable platform on which to place personal effects, is described. The luggage table typically rests securely on top of the suitcase, with an aperture in the residing in the middle of the luggage table and a suitcase handle protruding therethrough. In some embodiments, the luggage table includes a surface having a relatively high coefficient of friction, in order to reduce the chances of an item stored thereupon from sliding. In some embodiments, the luggage table includes vessel holders adapted to receive beverage containers such as coffee cups, drinking glasses, or beverage bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Angela Foster, Gary Jones
  • Patent number: 8950037
    Abstract: A low profile rinsing table is provided for cleaning rugs and other articles. The table includes an upper member having a series of apertures therein. Cleaning solutions can be scrubbed into the top of the rug and vacuum sources connected to the rinsing table will extract dirt, spent cleaning liquids and rinse water by pulling it through the rug, into a waste chamber and out for proper disposal. In an alternate embodiment of the rinsing table a roller extends along one side of the table to allow the rug to be easily indexed thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmerman Carpet Cleaners, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8814287
    Abstract: A refrigerator with a shelf varied by sliding and pivoting to store thick food items in a storage chamber. The refrigerator includes a main body which has an inner case defining a storage chamber and an outer case defining an external appearance thereof, a first shelf portion arranged at the storage chamber so as to be slidable in front and rear directions, a second shelf portion arranged at the storage chamber so as to be pivotable together with the first shelf portion received in a first shelf receiving portion, and support portions to support the first and second shelf portions, wherein each of the support portions includes a support wall integrally formed with the inner case and an insulation material foamed in a foam space of the support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myoung Jin Jang
  • Patent number: 8671853
    Abstract: An adjustable desktop workspace is disclosed having a base having a lower platform, an upper platform, and two pivoting arms mounted between the two. Each pivoting arm has a front and rear bracket. A locking lever on each arm fixedly engages the platform in an upright position at a variety of levels above the lower platform. There are also two stabilizing bars to limit side-to-side relative movement, and a biasing spring between the front and rear brackets to aide moving the upper platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gemmy Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20130152829
    Abstract: A configurable table assembly comprises two table-base sub-assemblies shaped to removably connect together and two table-surface sub-assemblies, each supported by one of the two table-base sub-assemblies. Each table-surface sub-assembly has first and second surface portions, the second surface portion being operable to rest upon the first surface portion and selectively unfold therefrom. The table-base and the table-surface sub-assemblies, together, have a single-table configuration and a double-table configuration. In the single-table configuration, the table-base and the table-surface sub-assemblies are separably mated together to form an integrated table base and an integrated table surface. In the double-table configuration, the table-base sub-assemblies are separated from one another to form two separate tables, each supporting thereon a respective one of the table-surface sub-assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Davida Levy, Carole Posner
  • Publication number: 20120073477
    Abstract: A configurable table assembly comprises two table-base sub-assemblies shaped to removably connect together and two table-surface sub-assemblies, each supported by one of the two table-base sub-assemblies. Each table-surface sub-assembly has first and second surface portions, the second surface portion being operable to rest upon the first surface portion and selectively unfold therefrom. The table-base and the table-surface sub-assemblies, together, have a single-table configuration and a double-table configuration. In the single-table configuration, the table-base and the table-surface sub-assemblies are separably mated together to form an integrated table base and an integrated table surface. In the double-table configuration, the table-base sub-assemblies are separated from one another to form two separate tables, each supporting thereon a respective one of the table-surface sub-assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Davida Levy, Carole Posner
  • Patent number: 8079553
    Abstract: A peripheral device support assembly. The peripheral device support assembly includes two detachable armrest and support tray adapted to be attached to each arm of an office chair. The detachable armrest and support tray includes a mount for securing the armrest support unit to a chair arm and a first portion hingedly attached to the mount for allowing the first portion to swivel in relation to the mount. The detachable armrest and support tray also includes a second portion pivotally connected to the second portion such that the first portion folds back over a second portion for storage. A tray spans the distance between the second portion of each detachable armrest and support tray to provide additional workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Martin
  • Publication number: 20090095204
    Abstract: A configurable table (100) includes a first table portion (102) and a second table portion (104). The first table portion includes a first upper region (106) and a first plurality of leg members disposed perpendicular to the first upper region. The second table portion includes a second upper region (108) and a second plurality of leg members disposed perpendicular to the second upper region. At least one leg member from each of the first and second pluralities of leg members are matched to each other. One of each two matched leg members includes a channeled portion along the length of the leg member. The other matched leg member includes a mating portion such that the channeled portion and the mating portion mate with each other. A method of configuring a table into two separate tables, and vice versa, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: DAVIDA LEVY, Carole Posner
  • Patent number: 6948295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and methods for manufacturing and shipping goods using a work platform that easily converts into a protective cover for use during shipment of the finished good. The device of the present invention reduces waste generated by the manufacturing and shipping processes through the use of a platform capable of retaining a good during both assembly and shipment. When shipment is complete, the platform is preferably constructed of a material that is recyclable. During assembly, the work platform exists as a single, planar platform comprising a first support surface and a second support surface fixedly joined at an interface. During shipment, the protective cover exists as the first support surface and second support surface fixedly interconnected in a parallel orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick L. Biggins
  • Patent number: 6174026
    Abstract: A convertible hassock has a base whose walls enclose a storage area, a flat lid which covers the storage area, and at least one seat which is hinged to one of the walls. The seat can be pivoted from an outboard position resting on top of the lid, to an outboard position substantially coplanar with the lid. The seat is supported, in its open position, either by a cantilever construction or by a prop which engages the floor. The seat has a cushioned side and a flat panel side. The cushion is uppermost when the seat is folded inward, to provide a hassock function, and the panel side is uppermost when the seat is folded outward, providing an extended table surface. While the seats are folded outward, the lid can be raised to permit access to the storage area beneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: James H. Wise
  • Patent number: 5097957
    Abstract: The apparatus sets forth a tray organization that is usable wherein first and second rigid base members are hingedly mounted relative to one another with plural pairs of apertures mounted on each top surface of each base plate to receive plural pairs of support rods wherein the support rods are joined at their upper ends by a spanning U-shaped cap member. The rods and cap members are separable and are receivable within recesses formed within each base plate to secure the rods and cap members within the base plates during periods of non-use during transport and storage of the organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventors: William F. Adams, Jr., Joseph A. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4662286
    Abstract: A convertible table extendible from a low to a high position comprising a rectangular deck having cut-outs in its four corners, a frame surrounding the deck, folding leaves pivoted to the deck and constructed to fit within the frame when they are folded, four arms attached at their respective ends to a combination mounting bracket hinge and to one of four respective legs, and a mechanical linkage for raising and lowering the table by moving the top of the legs diagonally along rods mounted beneath the deck. When the table is in the high position, extensions fixed to the arms pass through the cut-outs in the four corners of the deck and raise the leaves up relative to the frame. The leaves can then be rotated and unfolded to form a full sized top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Castro Convertible Corporation
    Inventors: John Barabas, Ralph Bocella
  • Patent number: 4572081
    Abstract: A rectangular open box frame supports a raisable tabletop center panel to which side leaves are hinged at the side. Levers hinge connect the side panels to the box frame. Pins projecting vertically downwardly from the bottom of the table center panel engage the box frame such that the table top center panel is raised and lowered and maintained horizontal, being driven by the hinged table leaves to form a raised center panel work counter of limited width or a dining table of reduced table height but with the end leaves pivoted to horizontal position coplanar with the tabletop center panel to increase the tabletop surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventor: Timothy E. Copeland
  • Patent number: 4367687
    Abstract: A worktable for sewing units having sewing machines with free-arm type bases mounted on a support bench. The worktable is operatively connected to the support bench and includes a recess with a configuration conforming to the shape of the sewing machine base. By means of a selectively controlled lifting device, the worktable can be moved to and from operative association with the base as desired to accommodate either tubular seaming or seaming on flat workpieces which require a larger supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Rockwell-Rimoldi, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Sanvito
  • Patent number: 4123124
    Abstract: A cabinet and work table for a sewing machine having a convertible work supporting bed capable of conversion from a flat work supporting bed to a free-arm bed. The cabinet work supporting surface is divided into two parts, a fixed rear work supporting surface and a laterally/vertically shiftable front work supporting surface. The sewing machine is supported in the cabinet with the work supporting bed forwardly of, contiguous with and spaced above the rear work supporting surface. The shiftable front work supporting surface may be shifted from a first position co-planar with the rear work supporting surface, wherein the sewing machine may be used in a free-arm mode, to a second position co-planar and contiguous to the work supporting bed of the sewing machine for the flat bed sewing mode, wherein the front work supporting surface augments the flat work supporting bed of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Peets
  • Patent number: 4066197
    Abstract: The vehicle roof rack comprises a rectangular framework including opposed side frames, opposed end frames, and a base formed by the least two panel members extending between the side frames. One of the panel members is adjustably mounted so that, when the roof rack is removed from a vehicle and is inverted to bring the base uppermost, the adjustable panel member may be raised relative to the side frames so as to form a table, while the other panel member(s) provides a seat alongside the table. The resulting table and seat unit is primarily intended for use in outdoor activities such as camping and picnicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Assignees: William Harry Nobbs, Harold Bowker, Peter Frank Tyburski, Geoffrey Hesketh
    Inventors: William Harry Nobbs, Harold Bowker, Peter Frank Tyburski