Understructure Patents (Class 248/188.1)
  • Publication number: 20030226478
    Abstract: A modular structure for furniture includes a tubular post formed by a pair of channel-bars disposed so that one faces the other and secured to each other by a base plate and a cross-bar. A series of longitudinal grooves, namely internal grooves made in the inner walls of the channel-bars, and external grooves made on the outer walls of the channel-bars. A support leg extends diagonally from an upper part of the post and is connected to the post by means of a connection member engaging one of the external grooves of the post. The cross-bar is formed by a “U”-shaped bar with an open side turned upwards, so as to form a channel closed at top by a cover element. The base plate and the cross-bar are connected to the post by means of connection pegs engaging the internal groove of the post. A bracket for supporting a working surface is fastened at bottom of the cross-bar by a clamp. A pair of counter-facing sides are joined to the post with a snap fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: METAL WORK S.r.l.
    Inventor: Bruno Nicoletti
  • Publication number: 20030222188
    Abstract: A brace apparatus having a core member adapted to absorb energy by undergoing plastic deformation and a buckling restraining assembly that maintains the structural integrity of the brace apparatus once the core member has undergone plastic deformation. A core member having a variable width middle portion is provided to control deformation of the core member such that the middle portion center undergoes plastic deformation before the middle portion first and second ends. A core member is provided which includes a core stiffener permitting the brace apparatus to have a longer longer length relative to the core member cross-sectional area while providing both a desired yield point and the stiffness needed rigidity required for structural support. One or more projections are provided having a stress reduction voids which reduce the cross sectional area of the core member to eliminate stress risers that would otherwise be present at the portion of the core member corresponding with the projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: James M. Smelser, Andrew J. Hinchman
  • Patent number: 6655097
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to temporarily support a utility pole is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of structural elements which are hinged together to form an articulated frame. The frame is adapted to be connected to a pole and caused to conform to the slope or angle of the pole with respect to the ground. The frame is also adapted to conform to the slope of the ground in which the pole is embedded. The articulated frame of this invention finds particular utility in supporting a utility pole installed in ground subject to collapse due to excavation in the vicinity of the pole. In this regard, the frame is useful to obviate the need to temporarily reroute a power line erected in the vicinity of earth removal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Billy E. Poolaw
  • Patent number: 6626404
    Abstract: A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Kleinikel, Helmut Berkenkoetter, Walter Mersmann
  • Publication number: 20030167982
    Abstract: A table includes a top supported on a frame which having two cone-shaped insertions. Two leg sets each include two legs with a connection member connected therebetween. Each of the connection members has a receiving member which receives the insertion which are allowed to be pivotable to adjust the position of the leg sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Yuan Yang
  • Patent number: 6601812
    Abstract: A keyboard support assembly includes first and second arms which interconnect from a desktop mounting plate to a keyboard support platform. The first arm connects directly by pivot connections between the desk mounting plate and the keyboard support platform. The second arm connects from the desk mounting plate to the first arm and acts as a brace for the first arm. A locking wedge mechanism locks the arms together when weight is placed on the support platform due to engagement of an actuating arm which projects from the keyboard support platform and activates the wedge mechanism. Release of the weight or force on the platform releases the wedge locking mechanism and permits pivotal movement of the arms and reorientation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Waterloo Furniture Components, Ltd.
    Inventors: James L. LeClair, Borge Peterson
  • Patent number: 6588717
    Abstract: A planar assembly support includes a pillar and bed fixable on a surface. A bed center hole is provided with an inner screw thread. An inner locking member has a protruded retaining ring and an outer screw thread on a lower portion outer peripheral face, and fixedly locks on the bed via a threaded connection with the inner screw thread of the bed. The outer screw thread may consist of at least two sections of a convex spiral constituting less than a complete revolution. The pillar and inner locking member can be dismantled together from the bed. The bed left on the surface occupies a smaller space and, therefore, reduces the risk of tripping, while providing convenient mounting and dismantling without damage to the surface. A lock/release mechanism may be provided to prevent inadvertent rotation of the pillar in an unscrewing direction with respect to the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventors: Garnett Carnahan, Caroline Carnahan
  • Publication number: 20030122042
    Abstract: A mobile camper support system including a support framework for supporting a camper, plurality of support wheels rotatably mounted on the framework, wherein the wheels are mounted force biased such that when the camper is unloaded from the support framework, the spring bias holds the framework off or above the ground, whereas when the framework is loaded to a predetermined force or weight, such as with a camper, the force bias is overcome and the support framework is forced to the ground and support the framework and camper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Bill B. Williams
  • Patent number: 6578804
    Abstract: An office chair includes a seat with a seat post which is movably inserted into a base. The base has a plurality of legs extending therefrom and a recess is defined in a top of the tube. Two clamp members are connected by two expandable members which bias the clamp members in opposite directions. A cover is mounted to the base and the seat post extends through the cover. The seat post is clamped by the two clamp members and a releasing member extends through the cover and the hole in the tube and engages with one of the two clamp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Ming Chuan Lin, Jack Wang
  • Patent number: 6546686
    Abstract: The stabilization system includes a foundation platform (16) that supports a pier (18), with the pier in turn supporting the joists (12) of a premanufactured building structure (10). Cleat walls (25-28) at the edges of the central body portion of the foundation platform extend into the ground. Struts (46, 47) are sloped upwardly from the foundation platform for connection to an adjacent joist. The weight of the building structure and the cleat walls prevent the foundation platform from horizontal movement. Thus, horizontal movement of the building structure is resisted without the application of horizontal forces to the pier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Publication number: 20030046893
    Abstract: The elongated box frame structure of the present invention comprises a plurality of frame segments attached to at least one end piece. Preferably, two end pieces are attached, one at each end of the plurality of frame segments. The plurality of frame segments are attached to the end piece such that a column-like structure is formed. The inner space defined within the frame segments is substantially free of webbing. Instead, structural strength and stability is achieved by the attached end pieces. The end pieces of one elongated box frame structure are capable of removably connecting with the end piece of other similar elongated box frame structures to achieve varying framing heights and other dynamic configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Fritsche, Dan Berg, Jason Johnson
  • Patent number: 6523795
    Abstract: A furniture leg wire management apparatus is configured for use with a furniture leg formed by opposite leg posts separated by a gap. The apparatus includes a legway defined by an elongated tubular body. The body includes a forward portion and opposite clamping arms that are resiliently deflectable toward each other. The clamping arms are deflected when the legway is pushed into the gap between the leg posts and provide an outwardly directed force to clamp the legway in this operative position. The tubular body further includes a central rib terminated in a rear flange. The central rib divides the legway into two wire/cable channels, while the rear flange cooperates with the clamping arms to define opposite elongated slots. The slots communicate with the two cable channels to provide an avenue to feed the wires/cables into a corresponding channel. The wire management apparatus further includes a decorative cover plate that is removably mounted on the legway to improve its aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ditto Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Gutgsell, Scott Schwinghammer
  • Patent number: 6523797
    Abstract: A keyboard support assembly includes first and second arms which interconnect from a desktop mounting plate to a keyboard support platform. The first arm connects directly by pivot connections between the desk mounting plate and the keyboard support platform. The second arm connects from the desk mounting plate to the first arm and acts as a brace for the first arm. A locking wedge mechanism locks the arms together when weight is placed on the support platform due to engagement of an actuating arm which projects from the keyboard support platform and activates the wedge mechanism. Release of the weight or force on the platform releases the wedge locking mechanism and permits pivotal movement of the arms and reorientation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Waterloo Furniture Components, Ltd.
    Inventors: James L. LeClair, Borge Peterson
  • Patent number: 6523794
    Abstract: Between the base plate and the instrument are placed a bridge frame with a supporting point formed on its upper surface to support the instrument and a load-bearing section made with elastically deformable spring material having arc-shaped legs extending from the bridge frame toward the direction opposite to the instrument, while keeping a certain separation in between. Thereby, a weight supporting part that contacts with the bottom end surface of the instrument over a comparatively narrow area in a plane touch, or more preferably, in a point touch or in a line touch, and an absorbing part that absorbs vibrations transmitted from the instrument are made to coexist. Making the legs of the load-bearing section operate as an absorbing part to absorb vibrations not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction enhances the function of the supporting element to modulate vibrations to an even greater extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Yasunaga Ueno
  • Patent number: 6513783
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support foot, which is equipped with a damping element and which exhibits an improved pivotability. The fixing element which is provided for pivotally fastening to a foot receiving device rests on the damping element or is fastened to the same, whereby the fixing element is held by a bracket which is fastened to the foot plate and which overlaps the fixing element. According to another embodiment, the fixing element is comprised of two vertical plates fastened to the foot plate at a distance from the damping element, whereby each plate comprises a vertically arranged, longitudinal hole or a round hole having a diameter larger than the diameter of the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: José Manuel Alguera Gallego, Gerald Muller, Steffen Pfister
  • Patent number: 6508184
    Abstract: A lightweight folding table with legs that may be attached without a separate fixturing step is disclosed. Preferably, the table includes a table top having a working surface and a mounting surface, upon which the legs are attached. Fixturing mounts may be integrally formed with the table top by a process such as blow molding. The fixturing mounts may be configured to receive and hold independent mounting assemblies, each of which is pivotally attached to a leg. The fixturing mounts may have fixturing protrusions arranged so as to frictionally engage the mounting assemblies in such a manner that the mounting assemblies are held in place. An adhesive may then be applied to the mounting assemblies to provide a more permanent attachment, if desired. The adhesive may be allowed to set without using any external fixturing implements to hold the mounting assemblies in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Winter, Curtis L. Strong
  • Publication number: 20030010879
    Abstract: A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Manfred Kleinikel, Helmut Berkenkoetter, Walter Mersmann
  • Patent number: 6471168
    Abstract: A modular table leg assembly is used to support a table top above a ground surface and includes at least three leg members. Each of the leg members include an upright supporting portion, an inclined bracing portion, and male and female engaging units. The upright supporting portion has a lower section and an upper section vertically opposite to the lower section. The inclined bracing portion extends upwardly and inclinedly from the lower section of the upright supporting portion. The inclined bracing portion has a lower first section connected to the lower section of the upright supporting portion and an upper second section opposite to the first section. The male and female engaging units enable the upper section of the upright supporting portion of each of the leg members to engage removably the second section of the inclined bracing portion of an adjacent one of the leg members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Hsien Tseng
  • Publication number: 20020139906
    Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism is mounted under a chair or table. The mechanism comprises an adjustment lever extended from the top; a support tube having a longitudinal hole with a predetermined cross-section; a sliding tube with the predetermined cross-section and having an upper end coupled to the end of the lever, a lower end slidingly received in the longitudinal hole of the support tube, a longitudinal hole, and an aperture on the surface; a bar slidingly received in the sliding tube; and a sleeve having a spring depressible detent on the surface and a longitudinal slit such that the sleeve sandwiched between the bar and the sliding tube is flexible for providing a buffering; wherein the lever is operable to cause the spring depressible detent to fall into the aperture without turning chair or table while adjusting the height thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Don-Tsun Pan
  • Patent number: 6447199
    Abstract: A sleeve type locking device, whether it be a hollow sleeve, a set screw configured device, secures a table base column to its associated spider, as within a counterbore, upon tightening of its supporting rod, during assembly and interconnection of such support to the underside of a table surface, during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Berod Tableworks Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard O. Berkowitz, Elliott W. Baum, Lucian N. Chirea, Robert J. Harrell
  • Publication number: 20020109055
    Abstract: Support apparatus including a base, a receptacle for receiving an object, and a plurality of spaced apart buttresses connected to the base and to the receptacle, the buttresses mounting the receptacle perpendicularly with respect to the base and spaced outwardly therefrom to cause force received by the receptacle from supporting the object to be transferred and distributed to different portions of the base by the buttresses. The support may be grounded to ground supported objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Wilman E. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020096609
    Abstract: A table base is assembled from multiple elongated members, including vertical and horizontal members. The members are interconnected by releasable structural fittings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Venegas
  • Publication number: 20020084389
    Abstract: A height adjustable pedestal having two or more height adjustable telescoping columns can be raised or lowered freely without binding. The telescoping columns engage a furniture component through at least two pivots and at least one slider. Pivotal and sliding engagement of the furniture component with the telescoping columns allows the furniture component to slide and pivot freely over the column precluding axial misalignment of the telescoping members of the columns due to non-parallelity between columns, or misalignment caused by columns moving at disparate speeds. Engagement of the furniture component in this manner also allows the telescoping columns to be adjusted independently of one another providing, for example, a tiltable table top or chair seat. Further, the table to or chair seat can slide in relationship to the height adjustable telescoping columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: John E. Larson
  • Patent number: 6352234
    Abstract: A positioning foot member includes a mounting base fixedly fastened to the bottom side of the wheeled bottom rack of a baby walker, and a holder base coupled to the mounting base and supported on a spring member and alternatively set between a received position for enabling the baby walker to be moved on the floor freely and an extended position to support the baby walker on the floor and to stop the baby walker from movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Green Wheel Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Hei Liu
  • Patent number: 6352308
    Abstract: A support frame device for connecting a seat portion to an upright post includes a base mounting plate with right and left anchoring plates secured to right and left anchored plates of a spacer plate, respectively. An annular stiffening member has an annular abutment end abutting against a lower peripheral edge portion of the spacer plate. A hollow stem with an upper flange portion is extended through a post mounting bore in the spacer plate and an axial passage of the stiffening member such that the flange portion abuts against an upper peripheral edge portion of the spacer plate. An annular lower end of the stem is then malleated to form a flared portion that abuts against a lower end of the stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Su-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20020014573
    Abstract: A device and method for leveling a machine uses a base with a central opening and a bolt detachably insertable through the opening of the base. The head of the bolt will mate with the opening in this base. A nut can then be screwed onto the bolt in order to lock it to the base. Two additional nuts will hold a machine anchor on the bolt. The nuts adjacent the anchor can be vertically adjusted in order to level the machine. Openings are provided in the base for hold-down screws. These hold-down screws can be drilled through the openings of the base into the floor in order to hold the machine in position in final assembly. Before this time, these screws can be drilled into a pallet, shipping crate or other platform on which the machine is to be transported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Phillip S. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20010048055
    Abstract: A shelf dolly comprises a caster-footed pedestal base and a lifting sleeve slidably connected to the pedestal base. A shelf-leg coupling adapter, provided for removably coupling the lifting sleeve to a shelf leg, is connected to the lifting sleeve. Additionally, the shelf dolly is equipped with a jack for raising and lowering the lifting sleeve with respect to the pedestal base. To raise a shelf leg, the shelf dolly is positioned next to the leg. The lifting sleeve portion of the shelf dolly is coupled to the shelf leg using the shelf-leg coupling adapter. Subsequently, the shelf dolly's jack is operated, causing the lifting sleeve to move upwards, and the shelf leg, coupled to the lifting sleeve, to lift off the ground. To move a shelf, a shelf dolly is attached to each shelf leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Matthew D. Baril
  • Patent number: 6322031
    Abstract: A keyboard support assembly includes first and second arms which interconnect from a desktop mounting plate to a keyboard support platform. The first arm connects directly by pivot connections between the desk mounting plate and the keyboard support platform. The second arm connects from the desk mounting plate to the first arm and acts as a brace for the first arm. A locking wedge mechanism locks the arms together when weight is placed on the support platform due to engagement of an actuating arm which projects from the keyboard support platform and activates the wedge mechanism. Release of the weight or force on the platform releases the wedge locking mechanism and permits pivotal movement of the arms and reorientation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Waterloo Furniture Components, Ltd.
    Inventors: James L. LeClair, Borge Peterson
  • Patent number: 6308495
    Abstract: A leveling or elevational positional adjustment system comprises a leg frame member, a leg extension member, and a leg extension stop member. The leg frame member comprises an external corner component having a substantially arcuate configuration, and an internal cross-plate component disposed across the interior of the corner component. The leg extension member has an arcuate cross-sectional configuration essentially matching that of the external corner component of the leg frame member so as to be disposed in surface-to-surface contact with the external corner component of the leg frame member when the leg extension is inserted into the leg frame member, and the leg extension stop member has an external arcuate cross-sectional configuration also substantially matching that of the leg extension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Sambuca, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010032913
    Abstract: A furniture leg wire management apparatus is configured for use with a furniture leg formed by opposite leg posts separated by a gap. The apparatus includes a legway defined by an elongated tubular body. The body includes a forward portion and opposite clamping arms that are resiliently deflectable toward each other. The clamping arms are deflected when the legway is pushed into the gap between the leg posts and provide an outwardly directed force to clamp the legway in this operative position. The tubular body further includes a central rib terminated in a rear flange. The central rib divides the legway into two wire/cable channels, while the rear flange cooperates with the clamping arms to define opposite elongated slots. The slots communicate with the two cable channels to provide an avenue to feed the wires/cables into a corresponding channel. The wire management apparatus further includes a decorative cover plate that is removably mounted on the legway to improve its aesthetics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: David R. Gutgsell, Scott Schwinghammer
  • Publication number: 20010025907
    Abstract: Between the base plate and the instrument are placed a bridge frame with a supporting point formed on its upper surface to support the instrument and a load-bearing section made with elastically deformable spring material having arc-shaped legs extending from the bridge frame toward the direction opposite to the instrument, while keeping a certain separation in between. Thereby, a weight supporting part that contacts with the bottom end surface of the instrument over a comparatively narrow area in a plane touch, or more preferably, in a point touch or in a line touch, and an absorbing part that absorbs vibrations transmitted from the instrument are made to coexist. Making the legs of the load-bearing section operate as an absorbing part to absorb vibrations not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction enhances the function of the supporting element to modulate vibrations to an even greater extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Yasunaga Ueno
  • Patent number: 6293506
    Abstract: A furniture leg wire management apparatus is configured for use with a furniture leg formed by opposite leg posts separated by a gap. The apparatus includes a legway defined by an elongated tubular body. The body includes a forward portion and opposite clamping arms that are resiliently deflectable toward each other. The clamping arms are deflected when the legway is pushed into the gap between the leg posts and provide an outwardly directed force to clamp the legway in this operative position. The tubular body further includes a central rib terminated in a rear flange. The central rib divides the legway into two wire/cable channels, while the rear flange cooperates with the clamping arms to define opposite elongated slots. The slots communicate with the two cable channels to provide an avenue to feed the wires/cables into a corresponding channel. The wire management apparatus further includes a decorative cover plate that is removably mounted on the legway to improve its aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ditto Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Gutgsell, Scott Schwinghammer
  • Patent number: 6290191
    Abstract: A chair base includes a tapered tubular center hub defining a longitudinal centerline and a plurality of radially extending tubular legs. Each leg has top, bottom, and opposing sidewalls defining a rectangular cross section that decreases as the leg extends from the hub. The top and bottom walls each have an arcuately shaped end that is welded to the center hub by top and bottom ring welds. The sidewalls of each leg have enlarged wall sections that are flat and parallel and further have bent flanges adjacent the hub that are angled inwardly from the enlarged wall sections toward the longitudinal centerline. The bent flanges are oriented approximately radially from the centerline to provide optimal structure and to provide clearance between adjacent legs. The clearance prevents interference between adjacent legs despite dimensional variation in the legs from manufacturing and tolerance considerations, thus facilitating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Hendricks, Nancy A. Funk
  • Patent number: 6282856
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for supporting a manufactured home (1) having at least a first and second support joist (14a, 14b) for mounting horizontally on at least a first and second vertical support structure (9a, 9b). Each vertical support structure (9a, 9b) comprises an upright support pier (16a, 16b) with a support platform (12a, 12b) positioned beneath the support pier (16a, 16b) and adjacent the ground (13). A stabilization pad (30a, 30b) is positioned between the support pier (16a, 16b) and the support platform (12a, 12b). The stabilization pad (30a, 30b) can include a link (60a) and a clamping lip (36) from which a lateral compression member (20) can extend as positioned between the pair of stabilization pads (30a, 30b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Patent number: 6216991
    Abstract: A foot structure for an apparatus including a bolt member and a slide cup. The bolt member has a first end fixed to the apparatus and a second end. The slide cup has, at an upper portion, a recess for slidably supporting the second end of the bolt member, and a lower portion fixed to a floor surface. An elastic member surrounds the bolt member, and is fixed to the apparatus and the slide cup. Horizontal movement of the bolt member in the slide cup is limited within the recess, thereby limiting the range of displacement of the apparatus relative to the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6196505
    Abstract: An adjustable pedestal for insertion into a substantially cylindrical opening in a furniture or equipment leg. The pedestal includes a substantially cylindrical hollow insert and a foot. The insert includes a leg opening, a foot opening, and a leg portion disposed adjacent the leg opening. The leg portion has an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the opening in the furniture or equipment leg and an inside surface into which are formed a plurality of threads. A cup portion is disposed adjacent the foot opening of the insert and has an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the opening in the furniture or equipment leg for preventing the insert from complete insertion within the leg. At least one retainer is formed within the insert for preventing rotation of the insert within the leg and for preventing withdrawal of the insert from the leg. The foot is substantially hollow and includes a shell end and an insert end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Charles Wainwright
  • Patent number: 6189846
    Abstract: A support device that helps to anchor a treadmill in horizontal and upright positions. The support mechanism has two pads and two anchors that are separately attached to the frontal horizontal tubing and along the front of the frame. When the treadmill frame is placed horizontally in an operative mode, the pads provide close contact with the ground surface so that the entire device is stable and unmoving. An auxiliary support is also incorporated in the upper front so that when the treadmill is placed vertically in a folded state, the support anchors at the front of the frame can position the treadmill in an upright position firmly to prevent incidental free-fall to ensure greater safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Leao Wang
  • Patent number: 6179257
    Abstract: Between the base plate the instrument are placed a bridge frame with a supporting point formed on its upper surface to support the instrument and a load-bearing section made with elastically deformable spring material having arc-shaped legs extending from the bridge frame toward the direction opposite to the instrument, while keeping a certain separation in between. Thereby, a weight supporting part that contacts with the bottom end surface of the instrument over a comparatively narrow area in a plane touch, or more preferably, in a point touch or in a line touch, and an absorbing part that absorbs vibrations transmitted from the instrument are made to coexist. Making the legs of the load-bearing section operate as an absorbing part to absorb vibrations not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction enhances the function of the supporting element to modulate vibrations to an even greater extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Yasunaga Ueno