Sidewalls Slide Vertically To Engage Each Other Patents (Class 220/4.31)
  • Patent number: 6564960
    Abstract: A collapsible article is disclosed herein which comprises: a plurality of slats, each slat having opposing longitudinally extending edges, a flute extending along one edge, a bead extending along the other edge and adapted to fit within the flute of an adjacent slat, and at least one opening transversely extending between the bead and flute; and at least one elongated elastic member received in and extending through said at least one opening of each slat so that the slats are selectively positionable between (i) an expanded, hollow form having opposing open ends, and (ii) a collapsed, substantially flat form. The collapsible article preferably further comprises a support member engageable with the slats in their expanded form and removable from the slats to allow collapse thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: M. Boyd Grindstaff, Debbie S. Grindstaff
  • Publication number: 20030085226
    Abstract: A flat pack water butt which constructs as a box with a bag liner 16. End structures 10 have shoulders 22 which front section 14 and rear section 15 push against with the weight of the water and are secured with clip details 19 into slots 20. The clear water dispensing tube 18 is also used to view the water level. The butt is a modular system and can be extended to increase the water volume by attaching another butt by connecting front sections 14 and rear sections 15 and base to the outside of the end structures 10 of the existing butt. The bag liners 16 are joined with connector piece 23 through cut out holes 24.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Anthony Manning
  • Patent number: 6558159
    Abstract: A container (10) for holding parts during a heat treating process. The container includes a bottom plate (14), end walls (20 and 22), sidewalls (30 and 32) and dividers (40, 42 and 44) which are connected together using a tab and slot construction to form an egg crate structure. The construction of the container reduces the effects of the heat treating process on the container. The guide cradle (58) in the compartment (12) of the container supports the cylinder head in the compartment and reduces the movement of the cylinder head during the heat treating process. The positioners (60) on the top portion (58A) of the guide cradle guides the cylinder head into the guide cradle and into the compartment. The bottom portion (58B) of the guide cradle supports the cylinder head above the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Demmer Corporation
    Inventors: Lin P. Bollwahn, Douglas A. Jackson, James W. Angell
  • Patent number: 6536441
    Abstract: A composite cigar portable structure includes a cigar tube, an end cap, a connecting tube, an elastic plate, a retaining ring, a combination member, and a lighter. Thus, the composite cigar portable structure may contain a cigar tube for receiving the cigar, and a lighter for lighting the cigar. In addition, the cigar tube may be used individually to receive the cigar, and the lighter may also be used individually, thereby enhancing the versatility of the composite cigar portable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Chung Chuan
  • Patent number: 6488167
    Abstract: A frame for pallets includes a plurality of frame bars that define a surface of the frame to which a frame insert is secured in a manner enabling the frame insert to be loaded transversely within a plane of the frame. The frame insert is form-fittingly interlocked with at least one frame bar transversely to the plane of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Anton Hurtz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eckhard Napp
  • Patent number: 6462311
    Abstract: A portable oven easily assembled without tools or fasteners from interfitted modular components is adapted to function in a convection mode. The components include a pair of electrical strip heaters disposed within a base frame that supports a plurality of upstanding wall panels which circumscribe a close having corners. A receiver mounted on the frame proximate each corner is recessed to releasably receive a free end of an upstanding stanchion. Each stanchion is formed with a pair of open channel members positioned orthogonally on the stanchion to face corresponding ones of channel members of opposite stanchions for slidably receiving a wall panel between the members in releasably captive relation. A removable cover is positioned in registry with the upstanding stanchions and wall panels to define a closed heating chamber. Heated air is circulated within the oven via apertures in a floor panel of the frame and a blower assembly mounted upon the cover in communication with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Michael R. Emiglio
  • Patent number: 6450123
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of transportable panels detachably coupled to form a rectilinear corral when assembled suitable for confining a pet. A method comprising assembling a plurality of transportable, detachably coupled panels in the form of a rectilinear corral, and confining a pet within the corral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventors: Bennie Murray, David Murray, Enoch C. Murray
  • Patent number: 6446824
    Abstract: A loading unit for air freight comprises a loading base (1), four upright walls (3, 4, 5, 25, 26) on the loading base (1) and a cover (2) on the upright walls, the walls being detachably joined to the loading base (1) and the cover (2). The loading base (1) and the cover (2) have slots (11) on their periphery in which the walls can be accommodated. The loading base (1) and the cover (2) also have upright edges (9, 10, 14, 15) which can be placed directly one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
    Inventor: Pieter Egbert Sluiter
  • Patent number: 6301096
    Abstract: An enclosure includes a base unit and a cover unit that snaps into the base unit easily, but is difficult to remove from the base unit without knowledge of the appropriate disassembly technique. The appropriate disassembly technique includes the application of pressure at key regions of the base assembly. The application of pressure at the key regions distorts the base assembly so as to disengage key portions of the cover unit from the base unit. The cover unit includes protrusions having an inclined surface and a flat surface. The inclined surface facilitates manufacturing assembly, and the flat surface encumbers the disassembly of the enclosure. The application of pressure at the key regions distorts the base unit so that the flat surfaces of the protrusions on the cover unit are disengaged from the base unit. In a preferred embodiment, the base unit is a resilient insulating material, such as plastic, and the cover unit is a shielding and heat sinking material, such as sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventor: George Wozniczka
  • Patent number: 6170689
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a substantially rectangular plastic base, a first plastic wall coupled by a first hinge to a first edge of the base, and a second plastic wall coupled by a second hinge to a second edge of the base opposite the first edge of the base. A first corrugated element is folded to form a first corrugated floor portion and a first corrugated wall portion, wherein the first corrugated floor portion is attached to the base so that the first corrugated wall portion is positioned between and adjacent to the first and second plastic walls. The first corrugated wall portion mates with a first lip of the first plastic wall and a first lip of the second plastic wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Apogee Designs, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert W. Flesher, Kevin J. Barnes, Michael Monteleone