Leg Or Foot Patents (Class 248/188.8)
  • Patent number: 7178768
    Abstract: A leg device supports an object to be able to adjust a height thereof. The leg device includes a leg shaft with a male screw portion, and an elevation body supported on the leg shaft to move upwardly and downwardly. The elevation body has a fixing portion to be fixed to the supporting object, a base portion with a through hole for the leg shaft, and a lock body portion having an upper end rotatably assembled on the base portion and a lower portion with a female screw portion engaging the male screw portion on a front surface thereof. The base portion has an elastic piece contacting a backside surface of the lock body portion, so that the female screw portion of the lock body portion is pushed against an outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft passing through the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 7159829
    Abstract: A support (10) is disclosed for use with food service equipment. The support has a tubular upper portion (11) and a tubular lower portion (12) telescopically mounted within the upper portion for adjustable vertical movement. The upper portion has a plastic support body (15) surrounded by a stainless steel support sleeve (16). A steel, externally threaded stud (17) is mounted to the support body. The lower portion includes a stainless steel, tubular foot (22) having a plastic glide (23) press fitted into its lower end and metal insert (24) mounted in its top end. The metal insert has internally threaded, central channel (25) extending completely therethrough. The insert is threaded onto the bottom end of the threaded stud for threaded vertical movement along the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kason Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Burl Finkelstein
  • Patent number: 7137604
    Abstract: A new and improved adjustable furnace leg assembly is described herein. The furnace leg assembly is adjustable once the furnace has been set on the assembly. The furnace leg assembly has a carriage bolt with a rounded head, which allows the assembly to support the furnace on any part of the rounded head so that if the furnace shifts at any point, the bolt will adjust and the pressure will shift to wherever needed on the head of the carriage bolt to keep the furnace level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: JEF Comfort Solutions
    Inventor: James E. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7128340
    Abstract: A support device for semi-trailers including a leg which has a receiving device, on its lower end. The support leg has a base element with a base plate, whereby the base element is fastened to the base receiving device by a fixing device. The base element is connected by a pivot bearing device with the support leg, whereby the pivot bearing device is located below the damping element. The compression of the damping element is therefore fully decoupled from the pivoting movement of the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: José Manuel Algüera Gallego, Gerald Müller, Steffen Pfister
  • Patent number: 7124985
    Abstract: A support particularly adapted for supporting a geomatic pole has telescoping legs, each having telescoping leg sections which can be locked by a locking device in a selected position of extension, fixing the length of the leg. The locking device is easily actuated and released and is biased toward a locked position. In an unlocked position, the locking device is positively positioned to inhibit contact with the released leg section so that movement is smooth and unnecessary wear is limited. The locking device has an engagement portion which is constructed to promote locking, but also to facilitate release and limit unnecessary wear of the engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Crain Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Crain, Christopher T. Moore, Jeffrey L. Oathout, Ron D. Everly, Larry W. Essex, Jerry L. Williamson, Ralph C. Mize
  • Patent number: 7123856
    Abstract: A support structure for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has an apparatus body, a base provided at a lower portion of the apparatus body for supporting the body, and an image processing unit disposed inside the apparatus body or attached thereto. The processing unit is capable of effecting at least either an image forming operation or an image reading operation. The support structure includes a grounding portion formed at and integrally with a bottom of the apparatus base for coming into contact with a contact-object surface such as a floor surface at at least three positions thereof thereby to support the base parallel with the contact-object surface and includes also an elastic projecting portion formed of a material having greater elasticity than a material forming the grounding portion. The elastic projecting portion has a ground-contacting face which projects from a bottom face of the grounding portion under a non-grounded condition of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Marumoto
  • Patent number: 7114694
    Abstract: A linkage mechanism for foot seats comprises at least two shafts and two guide elements combined at the bottom of a housing, a foot seat is pivotally connected to each shaft, an arc rack is disposed at a relative end of each foot seat, a rack is disposed at each one of two sides of a linking rod corresponding to the arc rack of each foot seat; the racks is respectively engaged the said arc rack of each said foot seat; therefore, when one of the foot seats is rotated, the linking rod is driven to move and the other foot seats are then further driven to rotate. Whereby, the adjustment of the movable foot seats are munch more convenient and time-saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventor: Chao-Kang Li
  • Patent number: 7083045
    Abstract: The present invention is a storage device ideally suited for storing a ladder or any elongated object. The storage device of the present invention comprises an elongated storage box having a front wall, rear wall, bottom wall, top wall and a pair of side walls forming a box assembly having an interior storage area. Located on the lower wall and extending beyond each side wall is a flange member that forms an inherent lip. Apertures extend though the flange and are adapted to receive conventional securing devices. This will allow for the device to be secured to any desired object, such the bed of a truck. The front wall is angled for reducing when resistance when the device is secure to a vehicle and when the vehicle is in motion. At least one additional storage compartment can be secured to any wall of the storage box for added storage capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Jerry C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7077369
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stable tripod stand for sensitive optical devices such as telescopes and the like. The tripod may be moved around on wheels which are coupled to casters and when positioned may be secured to the ground to provide an adjustable and highly stable support that significantly reduces the incidence of jitter. The tripod includes a stabilizer member that extends through the casters to selectively engage the ground. The leg members of the tripod have a triangular shape and support links between the platform and the leg members form interlocking triangular supports which reinforce the leg members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hardin Optical Co.
    Inventor: Larry C. Hardin
  • Patent number: 7073763
    Abstract: A support rod that is engageable with the bottom surface of an existing scissor jack. The rod includes an adjustable top portion selectively movable between raised and lowered positions. An elongated and portable support rod is removably engageable with the jack. The rod is provided with axially opposed end portions wherein one end portion has a bored surface for contacting the jack and another end portion is supported on the ground surface. The rod further includes a leg portion removably securable to another coupling that includes a compression-type fitting for adjusting a length of the rod. The leg portion further includes a shoe pivotally attached to a lower end portion thereof and for assisting to maintain the rod at a substantially stable position. A second rod should be symmetrically positioned opposite the first rod and against a second scissor jack on the opposite side of the vehicle, for providing necessary support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Trout
  • Patent number: 7048247
    Abstract: A support leg for an equipment case is made of a support leg main body and a stand base. The main body defines a concave (recessed) portion in the bottom thereof. A spire head portion that defines a spike is disposed in the concave portion so the spike does not extend beyond the bottom of the main body. Optionally, cushioning material is attached to the bottom of the main body to protect a surface on which the support leg breasts, while the support leg is used without the stand base. Optionally, the stand base is loosely attached to the support leg, such as by one or more screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Tanishima
  • Patent number: 7040659
    Abstract: A stabilizer for a heavy equipment machine includes a pair of resilient pad assemblies each having opposed surfaces either of which can be positioned as a ground engaging surface, and a support pin that extends in opposed directions from a stabilizer arm of the machine. Each of the resilient pad assemblies has a respective passage for receiving the support pin for enabling rotational support of the resilient pad assemblies from the support pin. The support of the resilient pad assemblies enables the positioning of either of the opposed surfaces as the ground engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Andry Lagsdin
  • Patent number: 6979778
    Abstract: A foot pad has an elastic conical body and at least one elastic rib. The elastic conical body defines a connecting surface and an outer conical surface. The connecting surface defines a hollow portion, and the elastic rib integrally connects to the elastic conical body at a surface of the hollow portion. The outer conical surface has a root portion connecting with an outer edge of the connecting surface. A thickness of the elastic conical body at the root portion of the outer conical surface is greater than a thickness of the elastic conical body at other portions of the outer conical surface. Elasticity of the foot pad is thereby increased so as to enlarge a contact area contacting an outer supporting surface, so that an anti-skid effect is improved and the foot pad is capable of absorbing a deformation of an electronic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Xiong, Chi-Ren Hsueh
  • Patent number: 6976305
    Abstract: An adjustable leg for a truss fabrication system used in mass production of trusses. The system has a truss set-up table and a gantry press movable relative to the truss set-up table for pressing nailing plates into truss members. The table is supported on legs which are readily adjustable in height even after installation of the table to maintain the table in a level orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish C. Kanjee, Kathy LiuHui Jin
  • Patent number: 6969498
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting medical instruments and the like. The assembly includes a support member formed with lines of vent holes, the vent holes in each line being spaced apart a selected distance. The bracket includes a base strip having a plurality of feet extending down for the base strip, the feet having footprints larger than those of the vent holes and being spaced apart along the base strip a distance substantially equal to an intregal multiple of the selected distance. This allows the bracket to be aligned with a line of vent holes in the support member so that its feet overlie selected ones of the vent holes in that line. A plurality of anchors is provided for anchoring the plurality of feet to the support member at the selected vent holes so that any segment of the base strip between the feet is spaced above the support member so as not to obstruct any underlying vent holes in the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Riley Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward D. Riley
  • Patent number: 6948591
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support apparatus or accessory capable of attaching to an article, such as a ladder via mating and locking of a primary attachment member connected to the support and a complementary secondary attachment member securable to the ladder. In a preferred form, the support is an adjustable length support for levelling a ladder on an uneven surface. The adjustable length support comprises a fixed component and a moveable component that moves relative to the fixed component to thereby adjust a length of the adjustable length support. The moveable member is securable at a desired length by a securing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Jon Robert Scott, Andrew Anthony Richards
  • Patent number: 6938872
    Abstract: A machine shoe and a method for the support of objects, such as apparatuses and machines, characterized by being tolerant to irregularities in the surface on which the object to be supported is placed. The machine shoe has a movable spindle which is secured in concealed fashion in a base by insertion into two locking rings integrated in a polymer material of a lower part of the base. The centre point between the locking rings forms the centre for the movements of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: NGI ApS
    Inventor: Knud Nygaard
  • Patent number: 6918563
    Abstract: A stand includes a holding frame and a plurality of spaced apart leg units. Each leg unit includes an upper leg having an upper end connected securely to the holding frame and a lower end, and a lower leg having an upper end pivoted to the upper leg adjacent to the lower end of the upper leg so as to be rotatable between a folded position, in which the lower legs are disposed in a storage space defined by the upper legs, and in which the lower ends of the upper legs can be seated on a supporting surface, and an extended position, in which lower ends of the lower legs are disposed at an elevation below the lower ends of the upper legs, and in which the lower ends of the lower legs can be seated on the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 6915993
    Abstract: A furniture glide includes a cylindrical elastomeric body adapted for insertion into a tubular furniture leg. The body has a first end and a second end. An integrally formed bulbous support is positioned at the first end of the body. At least two integrally formed discrete engagement members are positioned at the second end of the body with a centrally positioned gap between the at least two engagement members. Upon insertion of a pressure member into the gap when the second end of the body is positioned within the tubular furniture leg, the at least two engagement members are forced outwardly and into engagement with the tubular furniture leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Clement Ashton O'Leary
  • Patent number: 6910666
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained to about 15° from the vertical and 360° rotary movement of the leveling mount base. The leveling mount base can engage a threaded support stud affixed to the supported equipment. A suitable number of lag holes with knock-out covers over said lag holes are provided. The lag holes are in perpendicular alignment with parallel top and bottom configured surfaces of the leveling mount base to permit secure attachment of the leveling mount base to support surfaces to reduce to a minimum the presence of open holes, crevices, recesses and cavities in the juncture of the leveling device with the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6902140
    Abstract: An adjustable support foot comprises a support post, a plurality of retaining plates, a control device and an outer shell. The support post has a base and a screwed axle erected thereon. The retaining plates each provided with a screw thread cover around the screwed axle and are further enclosed by the control device including a retaining cylinder and a control ring. The control device urges the retaining plates to engage the screwed axle or depart from the screwed axle, by which the relative position of the support post in the outer shell can be quickly or mildly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Shih-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 6875101
    Abstract: A computer housing ventilation arrangement includes a computer case having an opening in the bottom panel, a wire gauze filter mounted in the opening of the computer case, and electric fan mounted inside the opening and adapted to draw outside cooling air upwardly into the inside of the computer case through the opening to lower the inside temperature of the computer case, and a deck adapted to support the computer case above a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Chien
  • Patent number: 6873791
    Abstract: A retaining device of a heat blower comprises two sliding grooves and two wings. Each of two sides at a rear end of a casing of the heat blower is formed with one of the two sliding grooves. Each of an upper and a lower ends of each wing has an elastic hook, respectively. By pressing the elastic hooks. The wings are embedded into respective sliding groove, and the wings are slidable with respect to the sliding groove. The wings can be pushed to move outwards to predetermined positions so as to increase the coverage and stability of the heat blower. The wings can be pushed inward along the sliding grooves for operation as being held by a user or for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Chuan-Hsin Cheng
  • Patent number: 6871826
    Abstract: An equipment adjusting leg is provided which is lightweight and which can achieve cost reduction without decreasing impact-resistant strength. The impact-resistant strength is secured and the light weight is achieved by the structure of the equipment adjusting leg, which comprises: a leg 10 which is provided in the lower part of an external frame of the equipment in a manner capable of moving up and down, and of which lower part is formed as a ground contact part 16 and of which upper part is formed as a sliding shaft 17 with a concavo-convex part 18 like, for example, a screw, provided around the periphery of the sliding shaft 17; an element for locking the up-and-down movements of the leg; and an element for releasing the lock; wherein the sliding shaft 17 of the leg 10 is constructed by using a resin with excellent mechanical strength, such as polycarbonate, to construct a peripheral part, and by using an elongated metallic member (a metal shaft 24) as a core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nix, Inc.
    Inventors: Junji Oyama, Yuki Kamada
  • Patent number: 6857230
    Abstract: An improved pedestal for a flooring system of the type which utilizes prefabricated base panels installed in side by side relationship to support a series of upstanding pedestals positioned in a geometric pedestal array is disclosed. The pedestals support further panels which define chases. Working floor panels are mounted atop caps which form tops of the pedestals. In one embodiment the caps each thread into a threaded bore in a pedestal body for leveling adjustments. Novel feet project downwardly from the pedestal bodies to provide positive locks with the base panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: David D. Owen
  • Patent number: 6832817
    Abstract: A ball chair with a securing device has a seat (10) with a backrest (14), a ball-shaped cushion (20), a guard rod (30) holding the ball-shaped cushion (20) with the backrest (14), multiple strengthening blocks (40) attached under the seat (10), and multiple legs attached to the seat (10) by the multiple strengthening blocks (40). Each strengthening block (40) is non-hollow to provide an anti-crack efficiency to joints connected to the legs. Additionally, a cone-shaped post is clamped between one strengthening block (40) and one corresponding leg to adjust a total height of the ball chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Ciber Chiu
  • Patent number: 6820379
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for positioning and fixing beams, in particular made from wood, in particular for the construction of ground foundations, by means of at least one ground dowel. The ground dowel receives, in a retaining part, a ground dowel insert part which can be fixed therein and which possesses a retaining means, attached to a baseplate, for determining the position of the beam relative to the ground dowel insert part, the ground dowel insert part being fixed at least adhesively on the pressed-on beam. After the ground dowel, placed at the desired position and provided with the ground dowel insert part, has been adjusted to the desired height, the beam is pressed on to the retaining means in the desired position. The ground dowel insert part is fixed on the removed beam in accordance with the position determined by the retaining means, and the beam thus positioned, with the ground dowel insert part fixed thereon, is inserted into the retaining section of the ground dowel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Krinner, Guenther Thurner, Martin Thurner
  • Publication number: 20040227040
    Abstract: A support for geomatic equipment such as a geomatic pole has feet which facilitate stability of the pole. The feet are constructed to resist forces applied along legs of the support to which they are connected in both directions, including forces which tend to lift the feet upward. The foot is formed to readily penetrate certain surfaces and to resist withdrawal from the surfaces after penetration. In one embodiment, a fixed connection to the underlying surface may be achieved. The foot is also constructed to resist rotation of the foot and leg to which it is attached which could cause instability of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Crain Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Crain
  • Publication number: 20040227039
    Abstract: A hardware leg for both bracing furniture joints and providing an integrated friction reducing foot pad for supporting the furniture item. The leg has an angled bracket portion mountable to individual panels or a pair of corner adjacent surfaces through screw or nail fastener holes, staple engageable nibs or through the penetratable plates of the bracket itself. The bracket and foot pad can be formed integrally through injection molding from a strong, durable, slick, non-scratching plastic material such as graphite impregnated acetal resin. Further, colored dyes can be selected and mixed with the material during molding to provide a leg color matched to the furniture piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Real, Francisco Real, Alex Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6811125
    Abstract: A stackable shipping pod adapted for use on a relatively large object having a bottom surface with a plurality of bores therein, each bore for receiving a threaded member, and further having an outside perimeter. The shipping pod includes a top wall which mates to the bottom surface of the large object and has an opening through which the threaded member is extended. Also included is a perimeter wall which extends downwardly and outwardly from the top wall, and has an exterior surface facing away from the top wall and an interior surface facing inward, such that the interior surface of the shipping pod nests proximate to the exterior surface of a second subjacent shipping pod when in a stacked orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, Donald L. Bell
  • Publication number: 20040206864
    Abstract: A support for a camera comprises a central hub (45) adapted to releasably connect with a plurality of radially displaced interchangeable arm or foot sections (A, B), wherein the arm section is adapted to interconnect if desired with an additional arm section and/or foot section to form a radially extending leg of a desired length. The hub may have a Mitchell type plate and is provided with one or more access windows to allow access to a central cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: David McAnulty
  • Patent number: 6789904
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic apparatus with a height-adjusting device. The electronic apparatus includes a housing and an adjusting device. The adjusting device disposed in the housing includes a connecting part, a leg, a push button, and a first elastic device. The connecting part connects with the housing and includes a groove and a rack. The leg is movably disposed in the groove and further includes a protruding part. The first elastic device connects to the leg via the protruding part to engage the rack. The push button is used for adjusting the height of the leg. To keep the height of the leg, the electronic apparatus further includes a stopper for selectively preventing the first elastic device from deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: BenQ Corporation
    Inventor: Lien-Wen Chang
  • Publication number: 20040135057
    Abstract: A machine shoe and a method for the support of objects, such as apparatuses and machines, characterized by being tolerant to irregularities in the surface on which the object to be supported is placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Knud Nygaard
  • Publication number: 20040129844
    Abstract: A telescopic leg has a housing with a lift cylinder or mechanical screw jack type lift and an external track for adjustably coupling to a member. Such telescopic legs can be used to define a variety of table base configurations by providing multiple angularly aligned tracks in each leg for receiving cross supports adjustably coupled to the tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: James E. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20040108424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support frame for adjusting the height of an image output apparatus. The frame includes a rotatable damping wheel and a supporting foot. When the damping wheel pushes against a side of the supporting foot to form a positioning state, the foot is static to the housing. If the housing is pressed downward, the damping wheel rotates to make the supporting foot move relative to the housing for adjusting height of the image output apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Hung-Cheng Lee, Yu-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6742750
    Abstract: A leveling mount is disclosed for equipment in temporary or permanent installations wherein the supporting surface can be a non-level planar surface. A ball and socket support stud provides a self-leveling adjustment of support. An elastomeric removable mount base pad provides non-skid means. Limited swivel and radial movement of the ball and socket support stud are maintained. The leveling mount base can engage a support stud affixed to the supported equipment. A ball retaining agent provides a security lock against removal of the ball from the ball socket from sock or impact. The ball retaining agent alternatively is adjustable to limit range of swivel from 15° from the vertical and to lock limited swivel and rotary movements of the ball and socket stud into fixed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Burr
  • Patent number: 6739153
    Abstract: An optical workstation comprising an optical breadboard supported by a frame, the frame comprising a plurality of upstanding legs interconnected by laterally extending cross-beams, the cross-beams defining a space into which the optical breadboard is received and laterally enclosed. By laterally enclosing the optical breadboard with the cross-beam frame elements, side protection for the optical breadboard is provided, thus protecting it from lateral impacts against which conventional damping mounts are not effective. In addition, since the cross-beams are part of the frame structure, they provide a stable and rigid platform for mounting optical and other components at the very edge of the workstation outside the optical breadboard area. Anchor points in the cross-beams are provided for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Melles Griot Limited
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Davies, Anil M Patel, Malcolm Sargeant, Brian Watson, Tony Wills
  • Patent number: 6739560
    Abstract: An anti-glide apparatus for use on an institutional folding table comprising an upper member attached to the table and a lower member slidably disposed with respect to the upper member wherein the lower member is free at all times to infinitely extend and retract between limits so as to allow the lower member to make frictional contact with a supporting surface and the upper member is distinct from any of the table supports. The apparatus is pivotally linked to a center leg support of the table whereby the apparatus is substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface when the table is open and substantially parallel to the top of the table when the table is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Palmer-Snyder Furniture Company
    Inventor: Francis L. Pajerski
  • Publication number: 20040089775
    Abstract: A leg base for outdoor furniture for fitting on the end of a leg and acting as a boot to permit sliding of the leg and to protect it from damage, and having a wall structure shaped to embrace the leg around its end, a floor secured to the wall structure and, a generally convex lower surface formed on floor, for standing on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: John G. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6726246
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rotational stabilizer pads for stabilizer arms of vehicles. The stabilizer pads include first and second ground contact faces for contacting respectively a smooth ground surface and a rough or gravel ground surface. In embodiments of the present invention, the stabilizer pads include a reversible resilient pad coupled to a first flange and a second flange. The first and second flanges may include grouser points for engaging the rough ground surface. Further features include a releaseable latch mechanism and offset pad construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Andry Lagsdin
  • Publication number: 20040075031
    Abstract: A support particularly adapted for supporting a geomatic pole has telescoping legs, each having telescoping leg sections which can be locked by a locking device in a selected position of extension, fixing the length of the leg. The locking device is easily actuated and released and is biased toward a locked position. In an unlocked position, the locking device is positively positioned to inhibit contact with the released leg section so that movement is smooth and unnecessary wear is limited. The locking device has an engagement portion which is constructed to promote locking, but also to facilitate release and limit unnecessary wear of the engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Crain Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Crain, Christopher T. Moore, Jeffrey L. Oathout, Ron D. Everly, Larry W. Essex, Jerry L. Williamson, Ralph C. Mize
  • Publication number: 20040065794
    Abstract: A support foot for a modular safety rail system comprises a base plate having upper and lower surfaces and an outer periphery, a plurality of sockets positioned inwards of the periphery and extending from the upper surface for location of a vertical post, a plurality of webs provided at the upper surface and each extending from a socket towards the periphery, each web extending from the base plate to an upper edge surface of the web, the lower surface of the base plate having at least one recess whereby when one support foot is stacked on top of another at least one of a distal end of a socket and an upper edge of a web engages the recess to prevent lateral movement of the feet, and the upper edge surface of each web being able to support the lower surface of a superimposed support foot to resist toppling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Philip Maurice Higgs, Charles William Stratford Presant
  • Publication number: 20040051013
    Abstract: A furniture leg support is attachable to the underside of a piece of furniture, for example a tabletop, where the furniture leg support is tubular with an interior bore that receives a leg section that can be adjustably positioned in the interior bore, and where a support brace extends between the furniture leg support and the piece of furniture to reinforce the leg support, the support brace has a projection at its attachment to the leg support that can be used to suspend an article, such as an article of clothing or a backpack, from the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Charles A. Risdall
  • Patent number: 6682240
    Abstract: A self-positioning device for a keyboard includes two protrusions adapted to be respectively formed on opposite sides of a corresponding leg, two stops each formed on a corresponding one of the protrusions, and two sectorial bosses adapted to be formed on a corresponding one of the recessed seats to correspond to the two protrusions. Each sectorial boss has a first edge and a second edge to selectively abut a corresponding one of the two stops. The selective abutting of the stops to the first and second edges enables support of the keyboard on a plan surface horizontally and inclinedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Behavior Tech Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Kuan-Nan Chou
  • Publication number: 20040004168
    Abstract: A support for geomatic equipment such as a geomatic pole has feet which facilitate stability of the pole. The feet are constructed to resist forces applied along legs of the support to which they are connected in both directions, including forces which tend to lift the feet upward. The foot is formed to readily penetrate certain surfaces and to resist withdrawal from the surfaces after penetration. In one embodiment, a fixed connection to the underlying surface may be achieved. The foot is also constructed to resist rotation of the foot and leg to which it is attached which could cause instability of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Crain Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Crain, Ralph C. Mize, Christopher T. Moore, Larry W. Essex, Ron D. Everly, Jerry L. Williamson, Clinton J. Mize, Mike Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20040000622
    Abstract: A telescoping leg particularly adapted for use in supporting geomatic equipment is capable of locking in different selected positions of extension. A lock is provided for holding the leg at the selected position of extension. The lock is biased to a lock position, but is capable of being moved and retained in an unlock position by operation of a single thumb on one hand so that locking and unlocking the leg for telescoping movement occupies only one hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Crain Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Crain, Christopher T. Moore, Larry W. Essex, Ralph C. Mize
  • Patent number: 6659411
    Abstract: Screw-covering legs and caps are adapted for a case assembly. The legs are received in leg sockets arranged on the assembly, while the caps are received in cap sockets arranged thereon. The legs, caps and their respective sockets are all configured so that only the legs fit into leg sockets and only the caps fit into cap sockets. The legs and caps are designed to appear similarly and the construction prevent their misplacement with respect to the case assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Takamasa Araki
  • 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: 6655497
    Abstract: A stabiliser for ladders comprises a rigid, generally flat base (10; 71) having a linear channel (11; 70) extending along a first, upper surface thereof, which channel is defined by a pair of generally parallel, upwardly-extending side members having upper edges directed towards each other, and at least one ladder attachment (18, 19; 30, 35; 50, 53) by means of which a ladder stile (17; 66, 67) may be extended downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Barrie Weatherall
  • Patent number: 6634672
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rotational stabilizer pads (140) for stabilizer arms (14) of vehicles. The stabilizer pads (140) include first and second ground contact faces for contacting respectively a smooth ground surface and a rough or gravel ground surface. In embodiments of the present invention, the stabilizer pads (140) include a reversible resilient pad (140) coupled to a first flange (124) and a second flange (126). The first (124) and second (126) flanges may include grouser points (130) and (131) for engaging the rough ground surface. In embodiments of the present invention, the stabilizer pads (140) are rotated about 135 degrees to change the ground contact face of the stabilizer pad (140) from one of the first and second ground contact faces to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Andry Lagsdin