Adjustable Vertically Patents (Class 248/157)
  • Patent number: 6422651
    Abstract: In a stepping mechanism for a vehicle seat, in particular for an automobile seat, with a gear and a pivoting pawl that is adapted for pivoting toward the gear and rotating the gear upon engagement, a friction spring is provided for raising the pawl from the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Joachim Mühlberger, Kai Schumann
  • Publication number: 20020088907
    Abstract: An equipment support stand for mounting and positioning photographic, motion picture and video accessories and the like. A riser comprising a plurality of telescoping shafts is coupled to lower, center and upper support legs which, when activated, will position the riser vertically relative to the mounting surface. Each support leg is integral with a respective positioning sleeve, the center and upper positioning sleeves being rotatably coupled about the lower end of the riser. Each positioning sleeve includes at least one engagement surface which is adapted to interface with the adjacent positioning sleeve or sleeves. When engaged, each of the three support legs are angularly spaced from adjacent support legs by 120° of arc. The center positioning sleeve may be secured to the riser in the engaged position. In the closed state, the center and upper support legs may be rotated about the riser and be placed in a co-planar relationship with the lower support leg to facilitate storage and transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: MSE MATTHEWS STUDIO EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Edward Phillips
  • Patent number: 6402102
    Abstract: An adjustable length column for chairs and tables comprises an upright tube and a pneumatic or hydropneumatic length adjusting element, which is disposed therein concentrically of a common central longitudinal axis. The housing of the element has an outer surface, which is guided for displacement in the direction of the axis and radially supported in a guide bush which is disposed in the upright tube. The outer surface of the housing is unpolished, shot peened and has a browned layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Suspa Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Sendfeld, Günter Ströber
  • Patent number: 6378816
    Abstract: Linear motion table leg whereby a linear motion assembly is located between a base and a table top mounting plate. Arrays of rollers, some of which are spring loaded, are spaced at 120° and disposed between a configured inner tube and an outer tube to provide for rollerable interfacing between the configured inner tube and the outer tube. A gas spring is centrally located to provide for linear positioning and for locking of the configured inner tube with respect to the outer tube. An alternate embodiment features a ball bearing array disposed between opposing races of the configured inner tube and outer tube to reference the configured inner tube to the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Joel W. Pfister
  • Patent number: 6361002
    Abstract: A telescoping rod includes a first end piece and a positioning seat pivotally mounted on the first end piece. An external rod is securely attached to the positioning seat. A polygonal shaft has one end securely mounted in and engaged to the first end piece. The polygonal shaft extends through the first end piece, the positioning seat and the external rod. A second end piece is movably received in the external rod and has a bottom. The second end piece is penetrated and driven by said polygonal shaft. A block eccentrically extends from the bottom of the second end piece. An elliptical sleeve is mounted on the second end piece and has a through hole defined to receive the block. The through hole of the elliptical sleeve has a diameter greater than that of the block of the second end piece and forms a gap between the elliptical sleeve and the block of the second end piece. The elliptical sleeve is driven to press against an interior, periphery of the external rod by the block of the second end piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Kun-Chia Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020030146
    Abstract: A first stopper supporting member (31), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a second tubular member (22) of a telescopic unit (15) along a first tubular member (21), is disposed around the outer surface of the first tubular member (21). A second stopper supporting member (31a), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a third tubular member (23) along the second tubular member (22) is disposed around the outer surface of the second tubular member (22). A facing end (71) of the first stopper supporting member (31) and a facing end (72) of the second stopper supporting member (31a) have nearly the same outer diameter. The resulting telescopic unit (15) is both attractive in appearance and free from the problem of being inadvertently caught by another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Mitsuru Akaike
  • Publication number: 20020030147
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for mechanically displacing and positioning two profile parts relative to each other, comprising: at least one tooth path connected to a one profile part, at least one toothed wheel connected rotatably to a second profile part for engaging on the tooth path, drive means, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting to the toothed wheel the power produced by the drive means, wherein the transmission mechanism is provided with at least one right-angled transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Dirk Jan Stoelinga
  • Publication number: 20020023988
    Abstract: The height-adjustable underframe of a vehicle seat has a left and a right couple of rails of a longitudinal adjusting device and a left and a right side part that are each hinge-connected to the corresponding seat rail of the couple of rails by way of a rear and a front pivoting arm on the left and the right side of the vehicle seat. A blocking arm is linked by a lower end region to the corresponding seat rail on the hinge point of a rear pivoting arm. The blocking arm is detachably fixed in proximity to its upper end in a stopping device, which is fastened on the corresponding side part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Burkhard Becker, Robert Houston, Michael Moog
  • Patent number: 6345680
    Abstract: An electronically-controlled adjustable height bearing support bracket is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the bearing support bracket supports a rear end of a front drive shaft of an automotive drive train with a multiple piece drive shaft. A driver is provided to adjust the height of the bearing support bracket based upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The bearing support bracket height is adjusted to minimize the angle between the front and rear drive shafts during conditions of high torque transfer of the drive train to minimize launch shudder in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20020000502
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism includes a attachment member fixed to a seat elevation adjuster and a controlling member placed between a driver member and the attachment member and can rotate together with an actuating lever. The driver member is located between the attachment member and a rotary member and fitted over a center shaft. There is formed a feed projection at one terminal portion of the driver member and its opposite terminal portion is placed face to face with a locking member. When the actuating lever is operated, the controlling member moves the driver member, which causes the locking member and the feed projection to engage with and disengage from the rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tomonori Mukugaichi
  • Patent number: 6302543
    Abstract: A projector, which has a main body and a plurality of feet protruding from the main body to support the main body, includes a first adjuster that adjusts stepwise the amount of protrusion of at least one of the plurality of feet, and a second adjuster that infinitely and finely adjusts the amount of protrusion of at least one of the plurality of feet. The position of a projection image of the projector can be easily and speedily adjusted by coarsely adjusting the amount of protrusion of the foot by the first adjuster, and then making fine adjustment by the second adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Arai, Shogo Kurosawa, Motoyuki Fujimori, Akitoshi Kuroda, Shinji Haba, Kiyoshi Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20010015400
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for adjusting the angular position of one member relative to another, comprising means releasably lockably engageable with the one member therefor whereby the means is operable to lock and unlock the one member with respect to the another member. There is a remote actuating means for the means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher James Langham
  • Patent number: 6267344
    Abstract: A vehicle seat provided with a seat cushion the support frame of which is supported by a suspension mechanism, wherein the suspension mechanism includes a torsion bar spring loaded to resiliently support the support frame of the seat cushion, and wherein a spring adjustment mechanism is assembled with the suspension mechanism for adjusting the resilient force of the torsion bar spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tateyama, Kazuhiko Hayashi, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Wataru Hamamura
  • Patent number: 6264180
    Abstract: An improved seat suspension assembly with axially adjustable roller and guide assemblies. The suspension uses an adjustment member the actuation of which causes the axial movement of either the roller or guide so as to adjust the spatial relationship between the roller and guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Dale Ropp
  • Patent number: 6223358
    Abstract: A convertible pool cover support including a fixed support portion positionable within the pool. A pool cover supporting portion is couplable with the fixed support portion for supporting a pool cover at an elevation with respect to the pool. A pair of corner pads are positionable on the pool cover supporting portion. The corner pads have a plurality of securement straps extending outwardly therefrom. A volleyball net portion is adapted for coupling with the fixed support portion when the pool cover supporting portion is removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Charles M. DePietro
  • Patent number: 6189843
    Abstract: Linear motion table leg hereby a linear motion assembly is located between a base and a table top mounting plate. Arrays of rollers, some of which are spring loaded, are spaced at 120° and disposed between a configured inner tube and an outer tube to provide for rollerable interfacing between the configured inner tube and the outer tube. A gas spring is centrally located to provide for linear positioning and for locking of the configured inner tube with respect to the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Joel W. Pfister
  • Patent number: 6186467
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension for a vehicle seat mounted on a scissors linkage wherein the spring supporting suspension force may be adjustable over a wide range of user weight, and wherein the scissors linkage permits the seat, which may include a back, to move in a substantially vertical direction during seat suspension movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Wahls
  • Patent number: 6095463
    Abstract: A billiard table leg and foot height adjuster comprising a bottom plate including at least one concentric bearing race and an upstanding peripheral rim, an upstanding boss in the center of the bottom plate, a billiard table support plate resting on the bearing race within the upstanding peripheral rim, an axle having a lower end, and an upper end projecting up through the boss and support plate, a snap ring retainer on the upper end of the axle for securing the support plate, and at least one set screw in the upstanding peripheral rim and projecting above the support plate to engage a billiard table foot. The foot includes a frust-oconical lower portion for rotatable adjustment of the foot by manually gripping and rotating the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Brunswick Billiards
    Inventor: William R. McCormick
  • Patent number: 6089667
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a knee support assembly having a rigid plate with a pad mounted thereon. Also included is a base mounted on a bottom of the knee support assembly such that the knee support assembly forms an angle with the base which is less than 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Peter L. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6086025
    Abstract: This invention concerns a specially designed rail for mounting a tensioning device in which a mount for its guide component can be positioned at vaus areas of the rail. Pursuant to the invention, the rail has a row of cut-outs in the area of the mount and rows of projections in the direction of the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs-und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. Producktions KG
    Inventor: Michael Hormann
  • Patent number: 6073892
    Abstract: A modular projector lift system for moving a projection device along a path between an extended position and a retracted position. The modular projector lift system includes a drive assembly expandable along a first axis. At least one movable support is mechanically engagable with the drive assembly at a plurality of positions along the first axis. The movable support moves the projection device between the extended position and the retracted position. A brake mechanism is optionally included for retaining the projection device at a particular location. The brake mechanism includes a plurality of rotating brake plates connected to the drive shaft of the drive assembly and a plurality of static brake plates connected to the drive assembly compressively engaged with the rotating brake plates. Adjustable limit switches are optionally provided for adjusting a location of the retracted and the extended positions along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Chief Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay S. Dittmer
  • Patent number: 6073893
    Abstract: A power seat device includes a lifting mechanism having a rocking member for moving a seat cushion up and down, an axially movable screw member retained at its one end by the rocking member, and a housing box provided with a gear mechanism for reducing the revolution of a motor to move the screw member axially. The power seat device is also provided with a holding member for retaining and holding the housing box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Koga
  • Patent number: 5996961
    Abstract: A height-adjustable workstand support incorporates a pair of laterally spaced, structurally independent but synchronously driven, screw-type scissor lifts which support a top surface for machinery such as a sewing machine or the like. The support is adapted to convert a fixed-height workstand to one which is adjustable to accommodate operators of different heights, whether sitting or standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5992407
    Abstract: A miniature gas stove support mainly including lower seat and upper locating ring distantly connected to one another by vertical bars, three equally spaced outward inclined legs connected to a bottom of the seat, and multiple petal-shaped wind shielding members connected to and along a top of the locating ring. Bolts are threaded downward to screw the locating ring and the vertical bars together while head portions of the bolts project from the locating ring to adjustably support a cooking utensil above a burner of the miniature gas stove. The petal-shaped wind shielding members fixed along the locating ring effectively shield the burner from wind to avoid undesired extinguishment of fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Tien-Shen Tsai
  • Patent number: 5992804
    Abstract: A seat pedestal assembly including a center post having a lower distal end adapted to be slidingly and rotatably received by a boat deck; a support frame including a center sleeve and a plurality of seat members disposed parallel to and in spaced relation with the center sleeve, the seat members being angularly spaced equidistantly around the center post, each of the seat members having an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a length, each of the seat members being respectively connected to the center sleeve by a connecting member; the center sleeve having an inner diameter adapted to slidingly and rotatably receive the center post therethrough; and, each of the seat members inner diameter being adapted to respectively receive for axial and rotational movement therein a seat post provided depending downwardly from an existing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: William A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5988748
    Abstract: A front seat assembly having a seat bottom assembly and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom assembly. The seat bottom assembly includes a pair of fixed rails extending fore and aft and being laterally spaced across a vehicle from one another. Brackets are attached to the fixed rails for attachment to the vehicle. A slide rail is supported by each of the fixed rails for fore and aft movement relative to the fixed rails. Front and rear cross beams interconnect the slide rails for supporting a number of components. A support sheet, having a pair of openings, extends between and is supported by the cross beams. A seat pan, having a front section and a rear section, is disposed above the support sheet for supporting an occupant. A pair of projections are pivotally connected to and extend from the seat pan for sliding engagement within the pair of openings in the support sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald O. Morrison, Stephen Rybak, Richard Cramb, Russell Davidson
  • Patent number: 5967471
    Abstract: A parallel acting vehicle seat lift uses a single jack screw unit at the front and a passive linkage at the rear. The linkage is located such its inherent play or looseness is continually taken up by the constant weight force of the occupant acting downwardly at the rear of the seat cushion. The jack screw unit, which is inherently tight, is attached at the bottom to the vehicle floor and at the top to the seat cushion frame by close fitting pivots, so there is no perceptible looseness. The passively acting linkage uses two bell cranks, each centrally pivoted to the floor, the first of which is attached at one arm the seat cushion frame by a close fitting pivot. The second bell crank is attached to the rear of the seat cushion frame by a lost motion connection, and the two facing arms of the bell cranks are connected together by a second lost motion connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Juergen Borlinghaus, James Peter Nini
  • Patent number: 5909861
    Abstract: A hose support for hoses extending from a truck tractor to a truck trailer includes a U-shaped tube, a plurality of balls, a weight, a telescoping member, a hose engagement feature, and a mounting feature. The U-shaped tube has a central axis and two upwardly directed arms. The plurality of balls are disposed within the tube. The weight is slidably disposed in a first arm of the U-shaped tube, and acts against the balls. The telescoping tube is slidably disposed in a second arm. The hose engagement feature is disposed on the telescoping tube. The mounting feature is connected to the U-shaped tube. The weight, acting against the balls, biases the telescoping member upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventor: Albert Korson
  • Patent number: 5895093
    Abstract: An electrically operated lift chair/recliner which includes a swivel base having a power drive that permits an occupant to turn the chair to the left or right as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventors: Kenneth Casey, Kenneth Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 5887834
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus to minimize lateral tipping of refuse containers by winds, animals and the like. A securement apparatus for wheel-based or conventional refuse containers is described. The invented apparatus includes an elongate stake having a hooked bracket and a tethering means which releasably captures a handle and a lid respectively of a refuse container. A tapered end and support surface penetration stop member on the elongate stake facilitate partial, vertical penetration of a support surface by the stake. When the stake is vertically penetrating the support surface, the hooked bracket may be adjusted to secure handles of various size, shape, and capacity refuse containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventors: Todd A. Gellos, Kenneth R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5881980
    Abstract: An adjustable leg assembly comprises an outer tube and an inner tube subassembly. The inner tube assembly comprises an inner tube, a floor support at one end of the inner tube, an expandable bushing at an opposite end of the inner tube, a rod extending through the inner tube and secured to the bushing and threadedly engaged with the floor support. The inner tube subassembly is inserted into the outer tube such that the bushing is confined within the outer tube and can be expanded into and retracted from contact with the outer tube by turning the floor support relative to the inner tube. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the floor support is a glide/tightener that provides a floor glide to support the leg assembly and that provides a tightener that is threadedly engaged with the bushing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Edward C. Knudson
  • Patent number: 5882075
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for an automobile comprises a seat portion which is slidably mounted for movement between fore and aft adjusted positions within a passenger compartment of the automobile. A pair of elongated power screws under the seat portion adjust the fore and aft position of the seat assembly in response to a reversible rotary input from a universal motor. The seat portion includes a pair of internal air bladders which independently inflate and deflate to adjust the height and tilt of the seat portion. A backrest portion extends upwardly from the seat portion, and may include a pneumatic lumbar adjustment device and other contour-adjusting air bladders. The universal motor operates both the power screws and the pneumatic adjustment devices. A transmission is operatively connected to the universal motor for selectively transmitting reversible rotary input to the power screws and pressurized fluid to any one of the pneumatic adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Partington, Andrew Massara, James Masters, David Fu
  • Patent number: 5873312
    Abstract: A parts holder comprises a tray and a vertically extensible and retractable support for supporting the tray in selected vertically adjusted positions. A brace in the form of a foot rest is secured to the support beneath the tray in selected vertically adjusted positions independently of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Mauro-Vetter
  • Patent number: 5870647
    Abstract: A concave space is formed at a predetermined position of a lower portion of an apparatus including an image forming means. An up switch, a standard position moving switch, and a down switch are arranged. When the up switch is depressed, the apparatus moves the image forming means upward to a predetermined position. When the down switch is depressed, the image forming means moves downward to a predetermined position. When the standard position moving switch is depressed, the image forming means moves to a standard position. Therefore, a wheelchair user can easily operate the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Nada, Masaki Takahashi, Yumiko Osawa
  • Patent number: 5863015
    Abstract: A type of "improvement on microphone stand elevating device", comprising a base stand, an outer tube, an inner tube and a fixing joint; the outer tube is installed on the base stand; the inner tube is installed on the outer tube, with its top to accommodate the microphone piece, characterized in that: a fixing joint, comprising a main body, a fixing block and a pressing lever; the main body has a through hole to enable its mounting on top of the outer tube; one side of the main body has a depressed chamber; on the depressed chamber is an open hole communicating with the through hole; a fixing block, its front end is a pushing part; said pushing part corresponds to the open hole in the depressed chamber, its front slightly extending to the through hole, so the fixing block may be fitted onto the open hole; a pressing lever, its center part is hinge joined to the center part of the depressed chamber; between the bottom part of said pressing lever and the depressed chamber is a compressed spring; so the front pa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 5836555
    Abstract: An improved industrial chair having a mechanism for adjusting the position of a support column in relation to a fixed platform, such as a chair base portion. The chair comprises a support column having an exterior surface with a plurality of engaging surfaces arranged along the length of the column for selectively engaging portions of a coupling. The coupling is shaped for selectively engaging the support column and positioning the support column relative to the fixed platform. The coupling has an inner surface shaped for contacting the support column engaging surfaces in a substantially matched shape friction fit, and the coupling further has an adjustable circumference structure for permitting selection between locking engagement and relative movement between the support column and the coupling. The chair further has structure suitable for operably retaining the coupling in fixed relation to the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Safco Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Ellsworth, Alwin J. Stahel, Peter Robert Fervoy
  • Patent number: 5769368
    Abstract: A drop cloth holder and dispenser has a spine secured to a stand and vertically movable relative thereto. The spine has a plurality of telescoping arms extending therefrom; the arms mounted such as to be rotatable to a position generally parallel to the spine. The spine can be rotated to a position parallel to the stand and is adapted to carry a roll of drop cloth material that can be extended to cover the arms and retracted into a roll. The arms may be tilted relative to the horizontal to permit the structure to fit into relatively small areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Herman E. Busey
  • Patent number: 5769371
    Abstract: A stand for adjusting the height and level of seats, tables, beds, and related devices increasing the usability and comfort of said devices. Said stand consists of two support pedestals (12) connected by two crossbar braces(10) that are pressed into place to form the base. Two leg brackets (16) are placed into holes (18) or (18A) depending on the height and angle adjustment desired. To further adjust the height, spacers (14) can be inserted into leg brackets (16), and holes (18) or (18A). Said stand can be used to raise and support a metal bed frame with bed leg brackets (20). Related devices can be adapted to said stand by using custom leg brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Bandur
  • Patent number: 5735500
    Abstract: A six-way powered seat adjuster slide unit which in a preferred embodiment includes a top rail with first and second ends for mounting a vehicle seat; a bottom rail with first and second ends for supporting the top rail; a floor rail for slidably mounting the bottom rail in a fore and aft position; a first forward powered jack screw unit pivotally connected to the bottom rail and having a rotative shaft, the first jack screw unit having an upper pivotal axis in a position axially fixed with respect to the first end of the top rail; an elevator arm pivotally connected adjacent to the second ends of the top and bottom rails; a second rearward powered jack screw unit with a rotative shaft having a pivotal axis with the bottom rail and the elevator arm; and a motor fixed with the bottom rail allowing a gear to mesh with a portion of the bottom rail for providing selective fore and aft adjustment of the adjuster slide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Juergen Borlinghaus, James Peter Nini, Thomas Bernard Blake
  • Patent number: 5709364
    Abstract: Output reduced by a reduction mechanism A contained within a tube type motor body 5 is transmitted to a threaded shaft 13, and a nut 15 having a wing element 15a for transforming rotation of the threaded shaft 13 to propulsion is threadingly engaged with the threaded shaft 13. Then, reduction and boost is made between a linear groove 16a of a guide member 16 secured to an inner wall of the body 5 and the rotation is transmitted to the body 5 by this rotational force, thereby an arm 17 provided on the body 5 is swung so that a base 3 is adjusted upwardly and downwardly about bearing members 2, 2a mounted on slide rails 1, 1. Owing to this arrangement, since a smaller installation space can be achieved, the apparatus can be made small in size and commonly used for various types of automotive vehicles. Moreover, the apparatus can be unitized. In addition, a high torque transmission is made possible by reduction and boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Noriyuki Araki, Norimasa Kitoh, Hiroaki Banno, Masashi Mitsukuchi, Akinori Mori
  • Patent number: 5660437
    Abstract: A child seat for a motor vehicle is adjustable between a lower retracted state at the normal seat height of the motor vehicle seat, and an unfolded position in which the child seat stands out from the normal seat height for occupation by a child. A frame and a supporting structure are connected and hinge-jointed to each other by front and rear parallelogram arms. At least one diagonal locking brace is hinged on one side to one of the frame, the supporting structure and one of the parallelogram arms, and on an other side is guided by a tranverse part in a longitudinal guide. A locking segment has at least one holding notch to accommodate the transverse part, with flanks extending transversely to the longitudinal guide and a handle for releasing the tranverse part from the holding notch. The handle extends over a region of a front surface of the child seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: C Rob. Hammerstein GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Burckhard Becker, Ulrich Bruhnke, Joachim Fausel, Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Josef Klink, Horst Kohl, Frank Krischen, Hans-Jurgen Schlaffke
  • Patent number: 5639059
    Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly for coupling to a pedestal for mounting a seat of a boat, the shock absorbing assembly including a shock absorber mounted in a housing, a pair of guide shafts being provided and being slidably mounted through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Adrian Nash
  • Patent number: 5628484
    Abstract: A water basin floor mounted support for holding a water basin, such as a floor mounted sink or bathtub in a position where it is to be mounted in the floor of a structure during the building of the structure. The floor mounted support comprises a carrier plate having an enlarged central opening designed to receive plumbing connected to the depending tub portion of the water basin. The water basin also has a peripheral flange which is to be mounted in the floor of the construction. A plurality of height adjustable legs hold support the support plate at a desired elevation and thereby stabilize the water basin during the actual fabrication of the floor, such as the pouring of a concrete floor. In this way, the floor can be literally poured or fabricated around the sink or other water basin such that when the floor is completed, the sink or other water basin is firmly mounted in place. The height of the legs are adjustable so as to accommodate for floors of differing height relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Gabriel Lechuga
  • Patent number: 5586740
    Abstract: A powered seat adjuster slide unit is providing including a top rail for mounting a vehicle seat; a bottom rail for supporting the top rail; a guide rail pivotally joined to the top and bottom rails along generally opposite ends to stabilize the top rail; a first forward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the first jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails; and a second rearward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the second jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans J. Borlinghaus, James P. Nini, Thomas B. Blake
  • Patent number: 5549264
    Abstract: A support assembly for process control equipment includes a cabinet containing processing equipment. A vertical support pole is supported on said cabinet through a collar for extension and retraction. Process control equipment such as electronic control equipment and a video monitor is mounted on the upper end of the pole. At least one, and preferably two, constant force springs biased into a fully coiled position are attached at one end to the lower end of the pole. The opposite end of the springs are mounted for free rotation on a spool which is secured to the cabinet, whereby raising and lowering of the process control equipment is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. West
  • Patent number: 5450710
    Abstract: A variable height support structure is provided for use in combination with a solid object dispenser such as a pill or capsule dispenser. The height of the support structure is varied by the use of asymmetrical cam designed to move the support structure surface in discreet units. The apparatus allows a dispenser to fill blister packs with pills or capsules of various shapes and thicknesses without dispenser component reconfiguration or modification or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventors: Richard B. Jensen, Jason R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5427337
    Abstract: A dual drive mechanism for medical/dental chair comprising a single motor drive and a pair of linearly driven shafts. In one embodiment, the dual drive mechanism provides a self-locking, reliable and easily maintainable system for vertically displacing one portion of a medical/dental chair relative to another portion of the medical/dental chair. In other embodiments, the dual drive mechanism drives both shafts in a single direction to increase drive power, engages each shaft to a common part and drives both shafts in opposite directions to tilt or rock the common part and employs shafts having different drive ratios to drive separate parts at separate rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: MD, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene S. Biggs
  • Patent number: 5385323
    Abstract: A pair of rigid hollow tubular members are telescoped together with one of the members having a series of spaced-apart grooves running parallel to the axis and the other having a series of spaced-apart ribs running parallel to its axis with the ribs slidably engaged in the grooves and means for releasably applying radial force between the two tubular members to force the ribs and the grooves into tight engagement to frictionally lock the tubular members together in a very stable fashion so they support a load without wobbling yet can be released when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Garelick
  • Patent number: 5377943
    Abstract: A chair base adapted to support a column and a chair seat. The chair base includes a hub having a central axis and a plurality of legs attached to and radially extending from the hub. A bore extends concentrically along the axis through the hub defining an interior wall within the hub. The interior wall includes an upper conical wall portion extending between a circular first upper edge and a circular first lower edge. The first upper edge has a larger diameter than the first lower edge such that the conical wall portion tapers inwardly and downwardly. The interior wall also includes a lower wall portion disposed below the upper conical wall portion which extends between a circular second upper edge and a circular second lower edge. The second upper edge of the lower wall portion has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first lower edge of the upper conical wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Shepherd Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ludovic A. Perl
  • Patent number: 5375909
    Abstract: A complex chair device includes a first chair and a second chair telescoped in the first chair. The seat of the first chair has a central receiving hole in which the seat of the first chair is fitted. A plurality of notches are formed in the peripheral edge of the central receiving hole. An inwardly extending flange is formed on the wall which defines the central receiving hole. Each of the legs of the second chair has a plurality of positioning notches formed along its longitudinal axis. A part of each of the legs of the second chair engages one of the notches of the seat of the first chair so that the second chair can be securely connected to the first chair by means of moving the second chair relative to the first chair and by means of rotating the second chair about its central axis when the inwardly extending flange of the first chair is aligned with and received in the positioning notches which are spaced from the seat of the second chair at the same distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Ming-Hsen Lee