Self-actuating Patents (Class 248/316.3)
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Patent number: 10959805Abstract: A transfer system can include a receiver; and a transfer device including: a housing comprising a first docking cup and a second docking cup, each of the first docking cup and the second docking cup configured to receive and lockably engage the receiver; a security mechanism positioned inside the housing and configured to engage with the receiver through either of the first docking cup and the second docking cup; and a pair of indicators coupled to the security mechanism and at least partially visible from outside the housing, each of the pair of indicators configured to indicate to a user of the transfer system that the receiver has been lockably engaged with one of the first docking cup and the second docking cup.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Nexxspan Healthcare, LLCInventors: Alexander Bally, Eric Richard Colburn
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Patent number: 10786080Abstract: Furniture anti-tipping mechanism integrated into furniture includes a bracket attachable to a vertical support, a substantially planar wall section situated in the furniture and having front and rear surface defining a thickness therebetween constituting a rear wall of the furniture, and attachment structure to connect the bracket to the wall section. The attachment structure may include at least one bolt projecting from the bracket and having a height greater than the thickness of the wall section, at least one aperture in the wall section, and at least one wing nut threadable onto a respective bolt after the bolt projects through a respective aperture to enable the wall section to be tightened against the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Dooli Products, LLCInventors: David M Stravitz, Steven G Marton
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Patent number: 10653259Abstract: An apparatus for hanging at least one article of clothing; the multiple pair pant hanger is mountable horizontally, having slots and rollers enabling the pant legs to slip into to hold the pants to dry. The pant hanger is either mounted to a wall or hung from a back of a door, which allows an individual to take multiple pairs of wet pants out of a washing machine, or damp from a dryer, and hang from the bottom of the legs of the pants to dry completely without shrinking the pants and without leaving hanger marks.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Inventor: Gregory Scott Wilson
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Patent number: 9630780Abstract: A clamp for feeding items of laundry to a laundry treatment machine that can be easily actuated and that can enhance performance and reliability when items of laundry are fed, for example, to a mangle or the like, by configuring at least one clamping element of the clamp as a clamping lever having an insertion aid with a guideway for the sliding insertion of a section of the item of laundry into a clamp mouth.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Herbert Kannegiesser GmbHInventors: Jürgen Sielermann, Lars Herzog, Engelbert Heinz
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Patent number: 9050938Abstract: A license plate holder system 100 may comprise a license plate frame system 300, swivel attachment rod 300, expansion fastener 200, end screw 365 and other components. A pair of swivel clamps 350 provide pivotal attachment along a Y axis upon a horizontal adjustment bar 435 and pivotal attachment along a X axis upon a swivel attachment rod 300. The horizontal adjustment bar 435 may be moved along the Y axis by adjustment of a fastener 436 located with a vertical channel 430 of the license plate frame system. A proximal end of the swivel attachment rod may comprise an outside flange collar 380 and center void 390, the center void defined by inside female threads 385. A specialized expansion fastener 200 and end screw 365 may be inserted into an aperture and then hand tightened by rotation in either direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Inventor: Kien Chi Tran
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Patent number: 9046123Abstract: A securing lug having a bolt and a securing ring which is connected pivotably to the bolt, as a result of which the pivoting-angle range of the securing ring is limited to less than 180°.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Skylotec GmbHInventor: Kai Rinklake
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Patent number: 8814118Abstract: A microphone holder is provided that allows a microphone to be attached and detached by a one-touch operation and to be securely held. A first and a second magnet 77a and 72b are provided at positions where a holding frame 5 and a clamp arm 6 overlap with each other such that different poles are opposed to each other. The magnets are magnetically attached to each other to lock the movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-TechnicaInventors: Shioto Okita, Hiroshi Akino
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Patent number: 8807505Abstract: An accessory holder system and related method are disclosed. The invention features an accessory holder system for holding accessory items comprising at least one base plate comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall portion, a rubber band secured to the at least one base plate adapted to removably hold at least one accessory item inserted between the base plate and the rubber band, and attaching means for attaching the base plate to an object.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventor: Martin W. Lotz, III
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Patent number: 8783636Abstract: In a microphone holder, a microphone can be attached and detached by a one-touch operation and to be securely held. A microphone grip is pressed into between clamp arms in a state where front ends are opened. This causes the microphone grip to press rear ends of the clamp arms to swing the front ends in closing directions. Thus, the microphone can be attached and detached by a one-touch operation without causing collision noise and the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-TechnicaInventor: Shioto Okita
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Patent number: 8627952Abstract: A packaging is provided for the transport, storage and display of rounded articles. The packaging may include an elongated arm, a gripping portion and a mounting portion. The packaging may be configured to be stacked onto other packagings of like structure. The packaging may also be configured for mounting to a vertical surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Glinert, Mark Campbell
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Patent number: 8622469Abstract: An apparatus for restraining an object in a vehicle may have an elongated frame, a clamp member mounted to the frame at or near one end thereof, and an elongated base member movably mounted to the frame between the clamp member and an opposite end of the frame. The base member may include a curved portion having a support surface defining a curvature and a linear portion between the curved portion and the clamp member. The base member may be movable relative to the frame to an object transition position in which a free end of the linear portion extends outwardly away from the frame and the curved portion retracts upwardly toward the clamp member along a path defined by the curvature to allow the object to be received between, and removed from between, the clamp member and the support surface of the base member.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Ian Alexander Hogg, Chris P. Jessup, Steve Gale, Douglas W. Bittner
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Patent number: 8474772Abstract: A cup holder is deployed from a recess in a substantially vertical panel behind a substantially planar fold-down door which is pivotable adjacent to a bottom edge. A substantially planar tray member is slidably mounted to a guide frame to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position at respective distances from the inside surface of the fold-down door. A telescoping holder unit with substantially cylindrical sleeve elements slides from a collapsed state to an expanded state in response to movement of the tray member. A top rim of the holder unit is fixed with respect to a cylindrical sleeve element having a largest diameter and is coupled to the tray member. A bottom plate of the holder unit is coupled to the fold-down door. The holder unit accommodates various beverage containers.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: John L. Miklas
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Patent number: 8282063Abstract: A holder includes a base, a first carriage, a first elastic module, a second carriage, a second elastic module, and two clamping mechanisms. When a handheld electronic device is installed in the holder, the second carriage is driven towards the first carriage, and the second elastic module between the second carriage and the first carriage and the first elastic module between the first carriage and the base are both compressed. At this time, the first carriage drives the two clamping mechanisms to clamp the handheld electronic device so that the handheld electronic device is reliably fixed onto the second carriage.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: HTC CorporationInventors: Tsung-Yuan Ou, Chih-Wei Tai
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Patent number: 8172190Abstract: A mounting bracket may include a base plate, at least one stationary clip disposed on the base plate, a push releasing plate disposed in spaced apart relation to the at least one stationary clip, and at least one movable clip operatively coupled to and movable with the push releasing plate. The stationary clip or clips and movable clip or clips are disposed and configured to mate with cavities in respective ends of a pump when the push releasing plate is in a non-pivoted position.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC.Inventors: Thang Q. Dang, Jim L. Jackson, Jr., Vijay Mallik, John J. Fong
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Patent number: 8113477Abstract: A holder for a beverage container has a container receptacle for insertion of the beverage container, a holding jaw which is mounted so as to be movable a short distance into the container receptacle, and a spring element which urges the holding jaw into the container receptacle. The holder has a simple construction and is economical to produce, since the spring element, together with the holding jaw, is in the form of a mountable unit and the spring element consists of a synthetic material.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Fischer Automotive Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Hartwig Kaemmer
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Patent number: 7798459Abstract: A quick insert and release laser beam guard panel clamping apparatus having a base plate mountable on an optical table, a first jaw affixed to the base plate, and a spring-loaded second jaw slidably carried by the base plate to exert a clamping force. The first and second jaws each having a face acutely angled relative to the other face to form a V-shaped, open channel mouth, which enables wedge-action jaw separation by and subsequent clamping of a laser beam guard panel inserted through the open channel mouth. Preferably, the clamping apparatus also includes a support structure having an open slot aperture which is positioned over and parallel with the open channel mouth.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Richard K. Dickson
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Patent number: 7597300Abstract: A container holding unit includes an abutting portion and an urging device for urging the abutting portion to a circumference of a container to constrain the container. The container holding unit further includes a case having a first guide grove and a second guide grove extending downwardly. The abutting portion includes a first shaft inserted in the first guide grove and a second shaft inserted in the second guide grove, so that the abutting portion slides relative to the case. The abutting portion is rotatable in a direction that a projecting amount of the abutting portion from the case decreases when an upward force is applied from below. The urging device urges the abutting portion in a direction that the abutting portion projects from the case, and in a direction that the abutting portion returns to an initial position.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventor: Akinori Harada
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Publication number: 20090057515Abstract: The present invention discloses a hook for suspending an object. The hook is fixed on a bracket with at least one pillar and comprises at least one hook groove, a shaft, and a locking member. The hook groove receives the pillar. Each hook groove has a first opening defined between two projecting portions extending from the hook. The locking member is adjacent to one hook groove and comprises a locking part pivotally engaging the shaft and defining a locking groove with a second opening between two end portions thereof One of the two end portions and one projecting portions opposite to the one end portions cooperatively defines a locking opening. The locking opening has an opening dimension smaller than dimension of the pillar. When the hook engages the bracket, the opposing end portion and projecting portion press against the pillar to hold the pillar in the locking groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Homesite Corporation Co., Ltd.Inventor: Minlon Chuang
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Publication number: 20090020487Abstract: A board holder comprising a wall mounting bracket 1 supporting a curved steel bar 2. The bar 2 is able to pivot or swing up and down with respect to the bracket and will tend to swing downwards under gravity unless such swing is arrested. The bar 2 is curved so that it doubles back on itself in front of the bracket 1. This creates a space 3 between opposite portions of the bar with an entrance 4 opening into the space for receiving a snow board or surfboard, etc. The board, etc, is held between a first contact part 6 and a second contact part 7 of the bar. Gravity, coupled with the weight of the bar 2 and the board 5 serve to hold the board in position with a lower part 11 of the board 5 butting against the wall 12. The board 5 thus angles outwardly from the wall up towards the board holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventor: Timothy Peter Wood
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Publication number: 20080245943Abstract: An apparatus for retaining at least one sheet against a back surface is disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a wedge member, a roller member, a biasing member, and a release mechanism. The roller member is moveable between a first position where the roller surface contacts the wedge member and a second position where the roller surface is separated from the wedge member. The biasing member biases the roller member toward the first position. The release mechanism is connected to the roller member and moveable between a clamp position and a release position. The release mechanism moves the roller member from the first position to the second position when the release mechanism is moved from the clamp position to the release position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventor: David C. Smith
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Patent number: 7373748Abstract: An elongated poster support arrangement comprising an elongated extrusion having an uppermost wall, a first tapered sidewall and a second tapered sidewall. The first and second sidewalls angularly extend from the uppermost wall. A central support wall is arranged between the first and the second tapered sidewalls to define a first longitudinal chamber between the first tapered sidewall and the central support wall and also to define a second longitudinal chamber between the second tapered sidewall and the central support wall. An arrangement of gripping members is loosely disposed within the second longitudinal chamber. The second chamber is arranged to receive a poster therein for pinched securement between the gripping members and the central support wall.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Rose Displays Ltd.Inventors: David E. Pitcher, Thomas D. Borroos
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Patent number: 7165752Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device (1), preferably for storing drinks containers (12), particularly for use in motor vehicles, with a receptacle (4) having a supporting surface (11) for the drinks container (12) and at least one holding mechanism arranged on the outer circumference of the receptacle (4) whereby the holding mechanism has at least one movable element (3) essentially pressed by the spring element (2) towards the inside of the receptacle (4) characterized in that the movable element (3) rotates on bearings around an axis (10) on the receptacle (4), the receptacle (4) has a contact surface (9) for the movable element (3), and the movable element (3) has a preferably domed flexible surface (6) that extends at least partially into the receptacle (4).Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Lisa Draxlmaier GmbHInventor: Leonhard Dobos
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Patent number: 6749167Abstract: A beverage container holder for a shaped bottle has an insertion opening for insertion of a bottle, a spring element that pivots the diameter-compensating element into the insertion opening, wherein the diameter-compensating element being pivotable downwardly and upwardly.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Kaupp, Falk Schaal
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Patent number: 6669031Abstract: A holder for an article, especially a tooth brush, includes a holder body having on an inside wall thereof at least one oblong shaped resilient portion radially inwardly extending to the center portion of the holder body which upon insertion of the article into the holder exerts pressure on the article to hold the article or having at least one oblong shaped non-resilient portion embedded in an elastic portion ensuring the bending of the non-resilient portion. At a lower portion of the holder body a funnel shaped inlet hole is positioned for inserting of the article and at an upper portion of the holder body a surface having an attaching hole is positioned for fixing of the holder spatially.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventor: Miroslav Badonic
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Patent number: 6637082Abstract: A quick holder includes a bottom housing, a cover, two clamping members, and a tensile spring. The tensile spring is urged between the retaining posts of the two clamping members conveniently, so that the two opposite clamping members may be used to clamp the paper by a single tensile spring, thereby simplifying the whole structure, and thereby decreasing the difficulty of assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Inventor: Chun-Yuan Chang
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Patent number: 6595376Abstract: A clamp device which includes a base has a recess defined between two protrusions, and a chamber is defined in an inside of one of the two protrusions. A friction pad is attached to an inside of the other of the two protrusions. A frame with an inclined plate is received in the chamber and two parallel rails extend from a top surface of the inclined plate. A roller is received in the chamber and two grooves are defined in an outer surface of the roller. A friction member is mounted to the roller and located between the two grooves so that the rails are movably engaged with the grooves. A shank of a tool can be held by the friction member and the friction pad.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Inventor: Joseph Jui-Chin Lin
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Patent number: 6533234Abstract: A self-centering system is described for holding an object (e.g. a vial, tube or cell) to maintain the longitudinal axis of the object in the desired orientation. The system includes two cam members which are pivotably mounted on parallel axes. The cam members include sloped surfaces which are able to accommodate objects of various diameters or shapes (e.g. circular or non-circular cross-section). The cam members are biased (e.g. with weights or springs) such that the sloped surfaces are automatically brought into contact with the object to be oriented and supported.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Hach CompanyInventor: Nelson E. Dervaes
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Patent number: 6302362Abstract: An apparatus for holding a piece of paper, poster board or the like on a relatively flat vertical surface. The apparatus can be used on existing map rails or on an easel-like structure. The apparatus has a housing with a longitudinal axis, a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a top portion and a bottom portion. The front wall has an upper end connected to the top wall and a lower end that is generally C-shaped and is angled toward the back wall to form a chamber to loosely hold a rod. The housing further defines an opening between the lower end and the back wall. The also defines an attachment means that extends from the back wall so that the apparatus can be attached to a surface. A method for positioning a piece of paper on a substantially vertical surface is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Best-Rite ManufacturingInventor: Gregory C. Moore
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Publication number: 20010023912Abstract: A display device including a base, first and second arms extending from the base, first and second retainers attached respectively to the first and the second arms, and wherein one of the arms and the retainers are flexible such that the retainers can be spread apart to receive a ball and then released to hold the ball therebetween. The display device also includes sports memorabilia held between the first and the second retainers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Inventor: Nicholas Donofrio
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Patent number: 6199804Abstract: A display device including a base, first and second arms extending from the base, first and second retainers attached respectively to the first and the second arms, and wherein one of the arms and the retainers are flexible such that the retainers can be spread apart to receive a ball and then released to hold the ball therebetween. The display device also includes sports memorabilia held between the first and the second retainers.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Inventor: Nicholas Donofrio, Jr.
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Patent number: 6182936Abstract: A copy holder including a flat holder base having at least one arched flange raised from a front side thereof near a top side thereof and defining a document insertion mouth, a first pair of vertically spaced lugs and a second pair of vertically spaced lugs bilaterally raised from a back side thereof; document clamping means mounted on the flat holder base and adapted to hold down inserted sheets of document in the document insertion mouth; an angle-adjustable mounting device pivoted to the first pair of vertical lugs of the holder base and adapted for securing to a monitor of a computer system for supporting the flat holder base; and a curved holding-down block pivoted to the second pair of vertically spaced lugs of the holder base and adapted to hold down turned-up sheets of document on the back side of the holder base.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Inventor: Li Fen Yang
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Patent number: 6177631Abstract: The figures show module carriers with one straight and one angled sheet metal cover (1, 2) which form an angle connection for a housing. Hooks (3) are bent out from the straight sheet metal lamina (1) on the inner side in order therein to receive a limb (4) of the angled sheet metal lamina (2). Elastic contact springs are formed on the hooks in order to produce a predetermined contact force on the inserted limb. The thickness of the sheet metal lamina and the dimensions of the contact springs and the hooks are matched to one another in such a manner that the hooks can be accommodated within a distance 1<16 mm from an edge (5) of the straight sheet metal lamina (1).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: ELMA Electronics AGInventor: Walter A. Schindler