Biased Patents (Class 108/2)
  • Patent number: 11849842
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multifunctional hand controller for height-adjustable furniture, and belongs to the technical field of control equipment for electric furniture. The multifunctional hand controller includes a shell. The shell is fixed on the furniture. Switches for controlling the furniture are installed on the shell. The switches include a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is a rotary switch. The rotary switch rotates relative to the shell to generate a first control instruction for controlling the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG JIECANG LINEAR MOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xin Xu, Shaoping Zhou, Liuchang Lu
  • Patent number: 11666143
    Abstract: An assembly composing of a robust articulating armature with optionally interchangeable platform like components which incorporate and adapts the core armature assembly into a multitude of product configurations each having ergonomic benefits. The core articulating armature is configured to be a variably lift assisted and repositionable in a manner when combined with the other elements, configures to become a device with demonstrably beneficial features in each of its configurations. In some of the configurations, lift assistance and positional support is the primary feature, whereas in other configurations, flexing and returning back to a user designated set position becomes the primary feature. This application discloses a device with the flexibility to be configured in such a manner as to bring benefits to both the consumer and to the manufacture due to its uniquely modular and configurable elements which can be utilized to create a multitude of ergonomic product configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FELLOWES INC.
    Inventors: Tai Hoon Matlin, Peter Maletich, Shawn Michael Applegate
  • Patent number: 11655876
    Abstract: Provided is a gas strut, including: an outer working space arranged radially to the stroke axis between the working cylinder and the equalizing cylinder, the outer working space being connected to the inner working space in a gas-conducting manner; an equalizing piston enclosing the working cylinder radially to the stroke axis, the equalizing piston) being mounted displaceably along the stroke axis, delimiting the outer working space on one side transversely to the stroke axis and being subjected to a pressure of the working medium and a pressure of the equalizing medium so as to increase the volume of the outer working space; and a restoring medium arranged in a restoring space radially to the stroke axis between the working cylinder and the equalizing cylinder, the equalizing piston being subjected to a pressure of the restoring medium so as to decrease the volume of the outer working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STABILUS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Reiser, Ulrich Probst, Felix Beib
  • Patent number: 10799023
    Abstract: A household storage appliance apparatus, in particular a household refrigeration appliance apparatus, includes at least one storage unit which has at least one storage element for holding at least one object. In order to provide improved storage, the storage unit has at least one inclination setting unit for changing at least one inclination of the storage element relative to a horizontal. A household storage appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Dinter, Tien Bui
  • Patent number: 10661313
    Abstract: A part cleaning machine includes a cradle moveable along an X axis, and rotatable about a first cradle axis. A part holder is attached to the cradle, and is rotatable about a second cradle axis. A chuck holder is moveable on a tool positioning plane that is perpendicular to the X axis. A tool chuck is attached to and moveable with the chuck holder. A tool holder is moveable relative to the chuck holder along the X axis. A plurality of tools are releasably attached to the tool holder for selective attachment to the tool chuck. A machine controller is operable to control movement of the chuck holder, the tool chuck, and the tool holder to transfer a selected one of the tools between the tool chuck and the tool holder, and position an appropriate tool and the part in different positions for several different cleaning operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Fives Cinetic Corp.
    Inventors: David L. Stockert, Scott A. Miller, Kenneth Carmack
  • Patent number: 10602994
    Abstract: An X-ray table and an X-ray system including the X-ray table are provided. The X-ray table can reversibly rotate without interfering with an X-ray imaging unit while a top surface thereof faces the X-ray imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Dong June Seen
  • Patent number: 10407768
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a clamp and a carrier used in a coating apparatus. The clamp includes a fixed clamping piece and a movable clamping piece connected to the fixed clamping piece through a torsion spring. A guide groove in which a clamping backing plate is slidably mounted is provided on the movable clamping piece. A transmission mechanism is disposed on the movable clamping piece and is connected to the clamping backing plate. When a force is applied to the transmission mechanism to open the movable clamping piece, the transmission mechanism drives the clamping backing plate to retract into the guide groove, and when the force applied to the transmission mechanism is withdrawn, the movable clamping piece is closed under the action of the torsion spring such that the transmission mechanism drives the clamping backing plate to extend out of the guide groove and beyond the movable clamping piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Huihui Mu
  • Patent number: 9743760
    Abstract: A furniture piece has a worksurface and a support frame having first and second ends. At least two legs extend downwardly from each of the first and second ends for supporting the furniture piece on a floor surface. A linkage couples the support frame to the worksurface. The linkage is configured so that the worksurface can be moved between a first position in which the worksurface is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by the support frame and a second position in which the worksurface is above and at an angle to the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Teknion Limited
    Inventor: RĂ©mi Vaillancourt
  • Patent number: 8919715
    Abstract: A folding shelf holder is strong and folds easily. A wall side member has a pin as a rotational axis of a shelf side member relative to the wall side member and a rotation limiter limiting rotation of the shelf side member relative to the wall side member. The shelf side member has a long groove for inserting the pin of the wall side member. When the folded shelf side member is opened to be approximately orthogonal to the wall side member and the shelf side member is slid toward the wall side member and in a direction where the long groove extends, the shelf side member abuts, at a back side of the pin, to the rotation limiter of the wall side member, preventing rotation of the shelf side member relative to the wall side member. Then, the shelf side member cannot fold relative to the wall side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Terada
  • Publication number: 20130263762
    Abstract: A table adjustable in height and pitch is disclosed. The table includes a base, a pair of upper rods, a table board and a first pitch-adjusting mechanism. The base includes a pair of legs, each having a slot and a plurality of dents. The leg and the upper rods include a first included angle. The first pitch-adjusting mechanism serving to adjust the first included angle includes two positioning rods, a lever and a plurality of links. Each of the positioning rods has an insert and the two inserts have an engaged state where they are retained by the dents and a disengaged state where they are slidable along the slots. The links build kinetic connection between the positioning rods and the lever, so that when the lever is operated, the two inserts are switched between the engaged and disengaged states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo CHANG
  • Publication number: 20130167757
    Abstract: An adjustable desk includes a desk board, a supporting unit, and a first adjusting unit. The desk board includes front and rear ends. The supporting unit disposed between the desk board and the ground includes a first leg pivotally connected with the front end. The first adjusting unit mounted between the desk board and the first leg includes a screw shaft, at least one linkage, and at least one level. The linkage is engaged screwedly with screw shaft. The level pivotally connected between the linkage and the rear end. While the screw shaft is rotated, the linkage is moved axially between two ends of the outer screw portions to drive the level pivoting with respect to the screw shaft. The desk board is pivoted with respect to the first leg to adjust a slope angle formed between the desk board and the supporting unit steplessly without tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Chi-Cheng Tsai, Te-Ju Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20130068141
    Abstract: A desk board raising apparatus has a seat, an active module, a passive module, and a cylinder. The active module is pivotally mounted in the seat and has a base, two linking arms, and a pivot. The linking arms are L-shaped. The pivot is deposited between the linking arms and pivotally mounted in the seat. The passive module is mounted in the seat and has a passive board pivotally connected with the linking arms. The cylinder is mounted in the seat and is adapted to push the passive board. Thus, the base lifted up or down can drive the passive board to move up or down. Therefore, the desk board raising apparatus uses a simple structure to synchronize the movements of the passive board and the base, and therefore has the advantages of convenient operation, low manufacturing cost, low maintenance cost, and consuming no power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-Po HSIAO
  • Publication number: 20120266783
    Abstract: A table unit for a machine tool includes a tilting table provided on a base and configured to be swingably indexable around a horizontal axis, a rotary table provided on the tilting table and configured to be rotatably indexable around a vertical axis orthogonal to the horizontal axis, and at least one motor disposed in the tilting table and configured to be driven to rotate the rotary table. An axis of a motor shaft of the motor is arranged in a plane formed by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8256731
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a device for holding a paint bucket and the like on an inclined surface. The device comprises a generally rectilinear and horizontal support surface having four edges with vertical sidewalls extending upward from each edge of the support surface. At the front edge a pair of downward extending feet protrude. At the rear edge of the support surface a rear-leg assembly extends downward from the support surface. The support surface further includes an adjustable armature and two rigidly mounted stops. The armature and two stops cooperate to selectively hold a paint bucket and can be adjusted for varying sized buckets. The armature includes an adjuster for selectively locking the armature. The rear leg assembly pivotally mounts to the support surface allowing the support surface to remain horizontal when the device is resting on an inclined surface such as a sloped roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Tracy A. Wickwire
  • Publication number: 20120073476
    Abstract: This invention relates to a drop leaf table angular adjustment mechanism. The leaf and tabletop are pivotally connected with a hinge, in which a positioning ratchet plate with multiple angular positioning ratchet teeth to the underside of the tabletop hinge. On the rear of the leaf hinge set, there consists of a positioning plate with a curvature slot. The positioning ratchet plate and positioning plate are pivotally connected with a pivot bolt to form a mechanism for the providing the leaf angular lean adjustment. On the backside of the positioning plate there is a ladle-shape pawl on the downside of the positioning ratchet plate, wherein the pawl engages with any of the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet plate to obtain a relative stop position between the tabletop and leaf. The operation which releases the pawl from engagement can adjust the leaf to an arbitrarily lean angle adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Hsiu-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 7930980
    Abstract: An automatically stabilizing table has an elongate support structure (14) supporting a table top (12) at an upper end and having a first pair of feet (50) at a lower end. An elongate guide formation (38) projects from a lower end of the support structure. A displaceable support member (30), having a second pair of feet (32), is engaged with the guide formation such that the displaceable support member is slidably displaceable along the guide formation and is automatically frictionally engageable with the guide formation in response to pivoting of the displaceable support member about a pivot axis which is transverse to the guide formation, to anchor the displaceable support member frictionally against sliding displacement relative to the guide formation. A pair of springs (48) is provided to urge the support member downwardly. The support member is located in channel shaped spokes (20) to inhibit swiveling thereof on the guide formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hedera AB
    Inventor: Rory Brooke
  • Publication number: 20100175592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of furniture (10a-10f) comprising a furniture base part (13a-13f), in particular a furniture frame, and a furniture part (11) movable relative thereto, in particular a table top (12), with an adjusting gear (20a-20f) for driving the furniture part (11) and with an actuating mechanism (30a-30f) for the rotary actuation of a drive shaft (36a-36f) of the adjusting gear (20a-20f). In the piece of furniture (10a-10f), it is provided that the actuating mechanism (30a-30f) for the rotary actuation of the adjusting gear (20a-20f) comprises a manually operated cable- or belt-type pulling element (31a-31f) which is wrapped around a wrapping section (51a-51f) coupled for rotation with the drive shaft (36a-36f) at least during an actuation of the actuating mechanism (30a-30f) and which, when pulled, causes the drive shaft (36a-36f) to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Hans Looser
  • Patent number: 7742287
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laptop computer including a body and a display articulably connected to the body. The laptop computer includes at least one drive unit capable of moving the display relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Sham Zende
  • Patent number: 7490807
    Abstract: A embodiment of a stand includes a base, a support, and a biasing member. The biasing member provides a biasing force to urge the support to a first position relative to the base from a second position relative to the base. When in the second position the support is allowed to rotate on a pivot, and when in the first position the support is prevented from rotating on the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Souza, Dennis R. Esterberg, David L. Smith, Jeffrey Scott Bakkom
  • Patent number: 7341341
    Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a body with a user interface and processing circuitry. A pagewidth inkjet printer is arranged within the body. A display is mounted on the body and is connected to the processing circuitry. A pivot assembly is interposed between the body and the display to permit the display to be pivoted with respect to the body. The display is connected to the processing circuitry via the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly includes a hinge joint and a closure that bound a region in which a printing cartridge is receivable. The pagewidth inkjet printer is configured to engage the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is received in said region for conventional operation of the personal digital assistant. The closure is displaceable between closed and open positions to facilitate replacement of the printing cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7100983
    Abstract: A buttocks seat is supported by a post tiltably affixed at a lower end to an upper face of a base. The post is also axially rotatable relative to the base, and threadably engaged with an underside of the seat for supporting the seat on the post, the seat squarely facing upright when the post is vertical. A hand wheel is affixed to the post for rotating the post relative to the seat and the base for selectively raising or lowering the seat relative to the base. A resilient bias urges the post to be vertical unless a seated user flexes his or her lumbar with sufficient force to overcome the bias. Preferably the post is tiltable over a conical range and the bias comprises a resiliently compressible, cylindrical ring coaxial with the post, and extending between and abutting the base and the underside of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Richard A. Gant
  • Patent number: 7100517
    Abstract: An ergonomic work station for computer components or for other purposes that is especially adapted for use by an individual having decreased mobility due to back pain or other conditions. The work station includes a base that extends beneath a chair or bed. A support arm has counter weight on a first side of a pivotal mount and a work table on a second side of the pivotal mount. The support arm may be pivoted to place the table in a work position in front of a user or in vertical position to permit unobstructed egress from or ingress to the chair or bed. The counter weight allows for the support arm to be easily pivoted from the work position to the vertical position by application of only very light pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Gary S. Godwin
  • Publication number: 20030042380
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard support assembly, which generally includes a housing comprising a first side panel having a first guide rail system and a second side panel spaced from the first side panel and having a second guide rail system. The assembly further includes a generally U-shaped member comprising a support member with first and second ends, a first side arm attached to the first guide rail system and extending from the first end of the support member, wherein the first side arm comprises at least one notch, and a second side arm attached to the second guide rail system and extending from the second end of the support member, wherein the second side arm comprises at least one notch. The first and second side arms have rotatable and slideable connections with the guide rail system of their respective side panels. A keyboard platform is rotatably attached to the support member of the U-shaped member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, James E. Nash
  • Patent number: 6019154
    Abstract: A manufacturing process, such as that used for ultrasonic welding, employs a self-leveling fixture (20) including a base (12) and an operation stage (14) that are separated by leveling devices (16) and 18). The leveling devices include a centrally located spherical plane bearing (16) and one or more spring members (18) disposed about the periphery of the operation stage. In this way, the operation stage can react in response to pressure applied thereto complying to the applied pressure, thus providing a realistic self-leveling feature. After the pressure is removed, the return to a normal position via the spring action of spring (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Ma, Xinpei Lu, Mark S. Bresin
  • Patent number: 5826286
    Abstract: A veterinary surgical table is provided which includes a top animal-supporting surface mounted for inclining and supported by at least one extensible rod which provides counterbalancing support for the weight of the top surface and an animal placed thereon. The top surface is preferably longitudinally bifurcated into two pivotally mounted sections to provide independent tilting of each section toward one another, each section being separately counterbalanced by an extensible rod for such tilting movement. The top surface is preferably supported by the extensible rods in strut-supported configuration for minimizing the framework for supporting the table. A slidably removable tray is mounted beneath the separation between the sections for receiving fluid runoff and for enhanced cleaning and sanitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: VSSI, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Cranston
  • Patent number: 5605101
    Abstract: A tiltable mounting for a payload includes a base (10), a support member (15) for supporting the payload thereon, the support member being tiltable about a horizontal axis (14) on the base for tilting about each side of a top dead center position about said horizontal axis, and a torque generating mechanism (17) mounted on the base and acting on the tiltable support to generate a torque in response to tilting of the support equal and opposite to the out of balance moment of the support with its payload to hold the support balanced in any position of movement about said axis. A plurality of torque generating units (20, 21) are provided each generating a torque which varies sinusoidaly with displacement, and a mechanism (22, 23, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37) provided for adjusting the phase angle between the torque generating means to vary the collective amplitude of the torque generating mechanism to suit the weight of the payload on the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Vitec Group, PLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5588369
    Abstract: A passive stabilizing platform is provided herein. It includes a base and at least two, but preferably three, vertically-upright hollow legs equi-angularly disposed around the the base. When in use the hollow legs contain a column of liquid therein. Tubes interconnect the hollow legs to allow free unimpeded movement of the water therebetween. A spherical float member is disposed in each of the hollow legs, the float member being movable only vertically upwardly or vertically downwardly within the hollow cylindrical leg within which the spherical float member is disposed, the movement being dependent solely, and in conjunction with, the upper surface of water in the hollow cylindrical leg within which the float member is disposed. A support arm is fixed to each float member and extends upwardly therefrom. The platform is supported by the support arms. A joint is secured between the hollow cylindrical legs and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Zedd Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Emad Rizkalla, David Newbury
  • Patent number: 5586508
    Abstract: Adjusting device for a matching table having a support for at least one copy to be matched which iS reciprocatingly movable towards and away from an observer, and a guide for the adjusting movement provided in common for the support and a frame of the matching table includes a frictional retaining device for releasably holding the support fast with respect to the frame, the frictional retaining device including a spring-loaded lock acting on both sides thereof, and a tension band disposed adjacent to the lock and tightenable for influencing the action of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventor: Klaus Bahr
  • Patent number: 5469793
    Abstract: A counter-balanced tiltable platform (10) is provided for receiving and supporting a load such as a camera. The arrangement includes a base (11), an intermediate support (13) mounted on the base to move in a vertical direction with respect to the base, a pivot mechanism (15) for mounting the platform on the intermediate support to tilt about a horizontal axis in either direction from a normal position, a mechanism for positioning a load on the platform with its center of gravity over the horizontal axis when the platform is in said normal position and a link and bell crank lever arrangement (25, 27, 31) acting through the intermediate support to raise the support and thereby the platform in response to tilting of the platform in either direction from the normal position to maintain the center of gravity of the loaded platform in a constant horizontal plane and thereby to counter-balance the loaded platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Vinten Group plc
    Inventor: Richard A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5357870
    Abstract: The audiovisual telecommunication terminal makes it possible to orient the flat screen relative to the position of the face of the operator in front of the same. The terminal comprises means for the flexible driving of the mobile part (20) carrying the flat screen relative to the fixed part (10). The transmission is of the "pulley block" type and uses a motor (12) driving a belt (8) fixed on the one hand to a drive shaft (18) and on the other to the fixed part (10) in order to exert tension on the mobile part (20). The reverse movement can be brought about by helical springs (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: France Telecom
    Inventors: Jacques Guichard, Georges Buchner, Alain Isckia
  • Patent number: 5230289
    Abstract: An articulated, manually adjustable keyboard support apparatus including an elongated, transverse support member, first and second arms pivoted to the support member and a keyboard platform or tray subassembly joined to lower ends of the arms. The transverse support member is joined to a beam by a first vertical hinge. The beam is pivoted to a slide by a second vertical hinge. The slide is received in a track. Springs counterbalance the weight of a keyboard positioned on the platform subassembly. A palm rest subassembly is adjustably mounted on the platform subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: William R. George, Wade D. McNary, Chris Tacklind, Rickson Sun
  • Patent number: 5117986
    Abstract: A shelf has a device to adjust its height on a pair of mounting rails and a device to adjust its angle with respect to the mounting rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 5107774
    Abstract: A variable slant work board pivotally mounted to a base such as a table or desk. A winch actuated segmented arm supplies an upward force on the underside of the work board to pivot it upwardly toward the fully raised vertical position. A horizontally disposed expansion spring is attached by cable to the underside of the work board to bias it toward the fully lowered horizontal position. The work board is infinitely adjustable between the vertical and horizontal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Donald L. Allen
  • Patent number: 4768762
    Abstract: The weight of a pivoted body is counterbalanced by a spring acting on a cam connected to that body to pivot therewith. A band, connected to that spring, attaches to the cam and wraps around the cam. The cam's profile is contoured to produce moment arms of various lengths, through which the force of the spring acts, balancing the variable torque of the weight of the pivoted body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Kurt O. Lund
  • Patent number: 4502394
    Abstract: In a table comprising a table-top that can be adjusted in height and/or inclination relative to the trestle, and a spring arrangement provided between the trestle and the table-top and serving to counterbalance the weight of the table, the table-top (6) is connected to the trestle at its rear edge by disengageable stops and at its front edge by clamps. The spring arrangement comprises a torsion bar spring (11) mounted preferably on the trestle (1) and provided with at least two radial arms (15, 21) bearing against the trestle (1) and the lower face of the table-top (6), respectively. Such a spring arrangement is of particularly simple design and requires only little space. Further, the torsion bar spring offers a favorable spring characteristic. A particularly soft spring effect can be achieved by the use of a stack of leaf springs (31) as torsion bar spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Veyhl-Produktion KG
    Inventor: Wolf Veyhl
  • Patent number: 4383486
    Abstract: The elevation and angle of a desk top are independently adjustable with the exertion of a minimum of manual force, thereby facilitating the use of the desk by handicapped or disabled persons. The desk is provided with a torsion bar to substantially ease elevational adjustments and with a parallel lever arm construction which permits such adjustments without changing the angle of the desk top. The height and tilt angle of the desk top are each securely fixed by means of a pair of serrated, interlocking discs which are spring loaded to permit them to be easily locked or unlocked with only a few turns of an adjustment handle. In addition, frictional washers are utilized in conjunction with this spring loading to substantially maintain the position of the desk top even after the discs are unlocked, further facilitating angular and elevational adjustments by persons of impaired physical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Rol-Fol Table, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Reineman, Jean O. Reinecke
  • Patent number: 4369715
    Abstract: A resilient hinge assembly particularly useful in display structures for merchandising goods comprises a band of plastics material incorporating a central flexible bridge interconnecting a pair of end elements. One of the end elements attaches to a back panel of a display structure and the other end element is slotted to receive a stabilizer shelf for the structure. A leaf spring extends across the flexible bridge and is connected to the end elements for imparting the required degree of restoration force to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Ingersoll, Ferris L. Hutchins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4359162
    Abstract: Board-shaped articles are to be stacked in a frame in such a way that they can be introduced into the frame from the same elevation, means being provided to ensure the maintenance of the desired spacing between the individual articles. To that end the spacing elements are supported in the frame in such a manner as to be deflectable and the articles during insertion deflect the spacing elements in the loading direction. The spacing element which is closest to an article already inserted comes into contact with such article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignees: Erich Luther, Martin Maelzer
    Inventors: Karl Mayer, Erich Luther, Martin Maelzer
  • Patent number: 4351245
    Abstract: A counterweight system is disclosed, which is advantageously used for counterbalancing the table top of a vertically-adjustable drafting table. Obviously, the counterweight system could be used for other applications. When used in a drafting table of the type including a frame and a table top provided with vertical legs guided for up-and-down movement within the frame, cables are attached to the lower end of the two legs and are trained over a common pulley and attached to said pulley, which is freely rotatably mounted within the frame. A spiral-shape cam member is fixed to one side of the pulley and an additional cable which is attached to the pulley is trained over the cam member and attached at its other end to one end of tension springs, the other end of which is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Joseph L. Laporte
  • Patent number: 4322005
    Abstract: A corrugated paper display stacker having a plurality of vertically arranged springs and upwardly biased pivoted trays secured to a back panel. A double acting torsion spring having hooks on protruding fingers that are inserted into the fluting of the tray and a stablizing U-shape loop on the other side of the spring maintain each of the trays in a vertical position when not loaded with merchandise. The torsion spring is held to the back panel by securing means in the form of a dowel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Displayco
    Inventor: David Robertson
  • Patent number: 4161233
    Abstract: A portable tree seat adapted for use with a tree or other generally vertical member is disclosed. The tree seat includes a mounting member or support bracket adapted to fit around the trunk of a tree and a seat platform. The seat platform is pivoted to the mounting member and includes a heat retaining cover on its upper surface to retain body heat. When weight is applied to the seat platform, the mounting member is torqued to a stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Inventor: James A. Wirtz
  • Patent number: 4156391
    Abstract: The top of a table such as a drafting table which may be adjustable in its elevation, is counterbalanced by counterbalancing elements exerting an approximately constant balancing force. The counterbalancing elements comprise at least one leaf spring forming a bow inserted between the table top and a counter abutment below the table top so that the leaf spring or springs is biassed to form said bow, whereby the load on the bow has a tendency to cause a lateral flexure of the bow. The arrangement is such, that the downwardly directed force component caused by the weight of the table top and the pressure exerted by the bent leaf spring or springs, are directed opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: Reppisch-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Lorenzo Ubezio
  • Patent number: 4154221
    Abstract: A tracking system is provided for positioning solar energy collection units to face the sun during daylight hours. The collectors are mounted generally in north-south alignment with rotatable connections to a supporting base. The connections are laterally offset from the center of gravity of the collector. Thus, the weight of the collector ends to rotate the collector about the connection points to bring the center of gravity to the lowest possible point, thereby orienting the collector generally to face the western horizon. A rotation restraint mechanism is provided to prevent the uncontrolled rotation of the collector to a degree coordinated with rotation of the earth relative to the sun, thereby positioning the collector to directly face the sun during daylight hours. A rank of collectors in parallel alignment can be connected for tandem rotation under the control of a single rotation restraining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: American Solar
    Inventor: David H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4113057
    Abstract: A tree stand, seat, or table adapted to be attached to a tree or like vertical column, comprising a board or like planar support member, provided with piercing points adapted to engage the tree, tie-attaching means substantially below said piercing points, and tie means for tying said tie-attaching means against said tree with the seat in vertical position along side the tree. Spring means is interposed between the tie means and the board or between the piercing points and the board so that when the board is rotated up to the horizontal position, the spring means is loaded and forces the piercing points into the tree and tends to cause the seat to return to its initial vertical position along side the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Max E. Bessinger
  • Patent number: RE28767
    Abstract: A drawing table having a stand and a board linked to the stand in such a manner as to allow the board to be adjusted in position whereby the weight of the board creates a second moment about the axis opposing the first moment. A compensating means varies the second moment to compensate for variations in the first moment due to changes in the position of the board so that the board is balanced in any position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1976
    Assignee: Franz Kuhlmann KG
    Inventors: Franz Kuhlmann, Arnold Gundlach, Horst Seiffert