With Incremental Adjustment About Fixed Horizontal Pivot Patents (Class 248/397)
  • Patent number: 8074956
    Abstract: A support stand includes a support member, a friction member, a first connecting bracket, and a second connecting bracket. The support member includes a base portion and two arched plates extending from an end of the base portion. The friction member is rotatably clamped by the arched plates. The first connecting bracket connected to a first end of the friction member. The second connecting bracket connected to a second end of the friction member opposite to the first end. The second connecting bracket is detachably attached to the first connecting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Xin Wang, Chao-Zhong Fu, Jian Li
  • Publication number: 20110290977
    Abstract: An LED panel holder includes a rectangular case (1) comprising a longitudinal groove (1a) on a central portion of back, slots (1d) on one side, hooks (1e) on the other side, the hooks (1e) adapted to lockingly engage with the slots (1d), projecting members (1b, 1c) on top, and recessed members (1b, 1c) on bottom, the recessed members (1b, 1c) being complementary to the projecting members (1b, 1c); and a support assembly (2) comprising an elongated support (2a) releasably secured to the groove (1a), a base (2c) having one end pivotably secured to bottom of the groove (1a), and an arm (2b) having one end adjustably secured to the support (2) and the other end pivotably secured to the other end of the base (2c). The support assembly (2) is adapted to retract into the groove (1a) to render the back of the case (1) to be substantially flat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Ming Feng Lin, Wei Wang, Ping Lin Zhao, Jingang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110226924
    Abstract: An adjustable stand, for supporting a device having a lateral surface defining a number of recessed portions, includes a base, a rotating frame, and two connecting axles. The rotating frame includes a chassis and two opposing arms extending arcuately and upward from the chassis, wherein the chassis is rotatably connected to the base. The two connecting axles are rotatably connected to the two opposing arms, respectively. Each of the two connecting axles includes at least one elastic protrusion fitting into one of the plurality of recessed portions, and connecting the device to the two connecting axles, wherein the at least one elastic protrusion is able to deform to allow the device to rotatably connect with the two connecting axles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ZE-BO LIN, JIAN-HUI DAI, SHOU-JI LIU, TE-SHENG JAN, YU-TAO CHEN, CHUN-CHE YEN
  • Publication number: 20110215217
    Abstract: Stands for mobile communication devices are provided. In one embodiment, a stand for a mobile communication device includes a backing adapted to at least partially cover a back side of a mobile communication device. The backing has a cutout portion formed by at least one inner edge of the backing. The stand also includes a support flap pivotably coupled to the at least one inner edge of the backing. The support flap is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The cutout portion of the backing receives the support flap when the support flap is in the retracted position. The support flap is adapted to support the mobile communication device in a standing position when the support flap is in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Louis De La Garza
  • Patent number: 7980625
    Abstract: The Back Jack is an upper body support to be used when a person is working on their hands and knees. The Back Jack has a base with a chest pad on one side and a support rod pivotally mounted on the other side. The chest pad is made of a high quality or memory foam and covered with a vinyl material. The support rod pivot joint can be locked in a working position perpendicular to the base, a transport position parallel to the base, and one or more intermediate positions. The support rod is made of telescoping sections to accommodate workers of different heights. The telescoping sections are adjusted by a spring pin fixed to an inner shaft which fits through holes in an outer shaft. A pivoting rubber foot is mounted to the bottom of the inner shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Christian Shane Worthington
  • Publication number: 20110133048
    Abstract: A seat adjuster for an article of sports equipment includes a base, a locating frame pivotally connected with the base for connection of a seat, a first locating plate mounted with the base, and a second locating plate pivotally connected with the locating frame so as to be pivotable between a first position where a second teeth portion of the second locating plate is engaged with a first teeth portion of the first locating plate such that the locating frame can't be pivotable relative to the base for fixing the seat in position, and a second position where the second teeth portion of the second locating plate is disengaged from the first teeth portion of the first locating plate such that the locating frame can be pivotable relative to the base for allowing the angle of inclination of the seat to be adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: HEALTHSTREAM TAIWAN INC.,
    Inventor: Shu-Chen CHANG
  • Patent number: 7954777
    Abstract: An alignment unit, which is of simple and robust design and can be adjusted well, for directional radios, in particular directional radio antennas, is distinguished by two attachment brackets, which are articulated on a common centre part such that they can pivot about two mutually orthogonal swivel axes, as well as two operating units for separate adjustment and fixing of the pivoting angle of the two attachment brackets relative to the centre part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Huber+Suhner AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bohm, Romeo Premerlani
  • Publication number: 20110114814
    Abstract: A stand includes a supporting panel, two first rotating members attached to opposite sides of the supporting panel, two second rotating members rotatably mounted to first ends of the first rotating members, and two supporting members mounted to second ends of the first rotating members to support the two first rotating members. An angle forms between the first and second rotating members at the first ends, because of the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ZHEN-XING YE
  • Publication number: 20110101193
    Abstract: A supporting bracket includes a fixed member having a stopping tab thereon, a moveable member pivotally connected to the fixed member, a back plate having a first end pivotally connected to the fixed member and an opposite second end, and a locking unit connected to the moveable member. A plurality of slots is defined in the second end. When the supporting bracket is applied to an object thereon, the back plate is rotated up relative to the fixed member, the moveable member is rotated up relative to the fixed member, the locking unit is inserted into a slot of the back plate, and the object is supported on the back plate in a tilted manner with a bottom of the object sandwiched between the stopping tab and the back plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Publication number: 20110073738
    Abstract: A display device includes: an adjustment mechanism including: a first bearing portion provided in a body; a first pin including a first cam portion provided so as to be concentric with the center axis of the first bearing portion; a first opening portion provided in a stand, the first opening portion being formed with a first hole through which a head portion of the first pin passes and a second hole into which the first cam portion is fitted; a second bearing portion including a second cam portion provided so as to be eccentric to the center axis of the second bearing portion; and a second opening portion provided in the stand, the second opening portion being formed with a third hole through which a head portion of the second pin passes and a fourth hole into which the second cam portion is fitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Takao
  • Patent number: 7901091
    Abstract: A projection apparatus including a projection body and at least one adjusting leg is provided. The projection body has a casing, and the bottom of the casing has at least one accommodating cave. The adjusting leg includes a supporter and a pivoting rod. The supporter has a supporting portion and a screw connected to the supporting portion, and the projection body is capable of being supported on a surface by the supporting portion. The pivoting rod is pivoted to the casing and has a threaded hole, and the screw is screwed into the threaded hole. The pivoting rod is capable of being rotated along an axis of the pivoting rod to drive the supporter to rotate, so as to accommodate the supporting portion in the accommodating cave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Che-Hsueh Chen, Jung-Chi Chen, Chih-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 7798461
    Abstract: A rotating bracket assembly comprises first and second members, each of which defines a channel having opposing sides coupled to a common base. The first member is nested within the second member with adjacent opposing sides being hingedly coupled to one another so that the first member can freely rotate 360° relative to the second member to achieve a plurality of rotational positions. A first plurality of holes formed in the opposing sides of the first member at least partially align with a second plurality of holes formed in the opposing sides of the second member for each of the rotational positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Michael P. Hackney
  • Patent number: 7753323
    Abstract: A diving board lift assembly for lifting a diving board from a substantially horizontal diving position to a substantially upright position is provided. The diving board having a diving end and a hinged end with the hinged end hingedly connected to a diving board support member. To raise the diving board, an actuator is rotated in a clockwise direction which rotation causes a portion of the top assembly to the lift mechanism to make contact with and raise the diving board to a near vertical position. To lower the diving board to its original position, the actuator need simply be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: David Volk
  • Patent number: 7677519
    Abstract: The computer workstation permits a user to work while reclining or in a supine position. The workstation has a monitor and a monitor platform for securely holding the monitor. The platform is independently adjustable and lockable in a selected horizontal and vertical position. The monitor moves with the platform so that the monitor is positioned in viewing position for the user when the user is in any position. The workstation also has a wireless transceiver for streaming signals between the monitor and a remote computer. The remote computer is wirelessly attached to the workstation. A keyboard/trackball platform is independently adjustable and lockable in selected positions. The keyboard/trackball platform has a wireless keyboard detachably mounted thereon. The keyboard assists the user to communicate with the remote computer. Additionally, there is a trackball for assisting the user to communicate with the remote computer. The trackball is detachably mounted on the keyboard/trackball platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Gauer
  • Patent number: 7654496
    Abstract: A backrest for a motorcycle includes a base plate including an upper portion, and a lower portion including first and second opposing ends. A frame and/or pad are attached to the support portion. The lower portion includes a first vertical recess in the first end, and a second horizontal recess in the second end. A bracket is slidably mounted to the base portion, the bracket being slidable along a transverse axis between open and closed positions. In the closed position, a third recess in the bracket at least partially encloses the second recess for securing a pin within the second and third recesses. A locking arm is pivotally mounted to the bracket member for releasably securing the bracket member in the closed position. The bracket member and locking arm allow the backrest to be quickly attached to and released from a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Summit Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sharpe, Gary Chez
  • Publication number: 20090309002
    Abstract: A terminal apparatus includes a portion (12) having an operation portion, a pedestal (20) which holds the main-body base portion (12) so as to be tiltable, a hook (31) which fixes the main-body base portion (12) in a tilting state at plural predetermined angles, a tooth row (224) which has teeth and engages with the hook (31) to fix the main-body base portion (12) in the tilting state at plural predetermined angles, a cam (33) which moves within the main-body base portion (12) in accordance with the tilt angle of the main-body base portion (12), and a cam control groove (226) which controls the movement of the cam (33), wherein when the hook (31) moves over the tooth at the uppermost step of the tooth row (224), the hook rides on the cam (33) thereby to release the engagement with the tooth row (224), then the hook moves downward in a state of riding on the cam (33), then the main-body base portion (12) releases the tilting and moves downward to restore to an initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Shimotoso
  • Publication number: 20090272870
    Abstract: The invention provides a rotating table for a display device which can rotate around the horizontal shaft by a manual operation in addition to a small motor drive. A rotating table for a display device includes a rotating member arranged so as to be rotatable around a horizontal shaft, and in which the display device is arranged, a balancing device balancing with a gravity moment around the horizontal shaft in the display device, and a first motor-driven rotating mechanism rotating the rotating member around the horizontal shaft, and the first motor-driven rotating mechanism includes gear trains converting a rotation of an electric motor into a rotation of the rotating member, and a rotation allowing device allowing a rotation of the gear trains only in a case of a rotation having a torque not less than a predetermined torque with respect to the rotation from the rotating member side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Naoki ASAKURA, Katsutoshi Okada, Yoshiki Nagaoka, Norio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7267312
    Abstract: A display apparatus in which a monitor is firmly supported by a stand mounted with a hinge and is tilted at a predetermined angle. The display apparatus includes a monitor displaying a picture thereon, and a stand supporting the monitor. The stand includes a stand base, a hinge bracket placed on the stand base and formed with an opened hinge accommodating part at a side thereof, a hinge including a first part accommodated in and connected to the hinge accommodating part of the hinge bracket, a second part connected to a back of the monitor, and a tilt restrictor to restrict a tilt of the monitor; and a hinge bracket cover detachably coupled to the hinge accommodating part formed in the hinge bracket. The present invention provides a display apparatus improved in assembling efficiency and design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-jo Kang, Kyung-tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7264215
    Abstract: The inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for providing supplemental support for items used in manual tasks and may include one or more of the following features: a supplemental support apparatus, a supplemental support method, techniques for providing supplemental support in a compact manner, techniques for providing supplemental support in a variably-adjustable manner, techniques for correlating supplemental support to an overall workspace height, techniques for maintaining a parallel support surface through a variable-adjustment range, and techniques for retaining an item on a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Western Heat, LLC
    Inventor: Pete N. Niehoff
  • Patent number: 7150440
    Abstract: An adjustable support frame for a display screen includes a frame base, a bottom-supporting strut unit, a back-supporting strut unit and an adjusting unit. The bottom-supporting strut unit is connected fixedly to the frame base, and is connected pivotally to a screen bottom of the screen. The back-supporting strut unit includes a connecting member and a supporting member connected pivotally to both the base and the connecting member. The adjusting unit includes a driving member movable on the mounting plate between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, a second engaging member engages a first engaging member so as to lock the connecting member on a screen back of the screen. In the release position, the second engaging member is removed from the first engaging member so as to release the connecting member from the screen back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Min-Hao Yuan
  • Publication number: 20040232298
    Abstract: A mounting system for connecting a flat panel display to a fixed structure, such as a building wall or ceiling, or display structure, includes a plurality of fastening buttons and a corresponding display connecting portion having keyhole slots. Each keyhole slot has an access hole and a notch. The fastening buttons are seated in the keyhole slots to hold the flat panel display adjacent the display connecting portion of the mounting system. The button has a head portion, a base portion, and a throat portion, the base portion preferably having a beveled region so that the device is self-aligning or self-guiding. At least part of the display connecting member adjacent the access hole may be ramped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Jeff Bremmon, Bruce Laughton
  • Patent number: 6772983
    Abstract: A pivot coupler is constructed to include a hinge base fastened to a stand and holding two packing piece sets at two sides, a hinge bracket fastened to a monitor and holding two washers at two sides, and a shaft inserted in the hinge base and the hinge bracket and locked by a nut to pivotally secure the hinge bracket to the hinge base and to hold the packing piece sets of the hinge base in friction contact with the washers of the hinge bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Cheng Liao, Tsyr-Huey Liu
  • Patent number: 6644611
    Abstract: An adjustable inclined angle structure of a computer. It mainly uses a pair of rotating disks to adjust and fix the inclined angle of a computer when it is installed. One of rotating disks use a handlebar with spring pin to buckle up with dividing holes of the rotating disk to fix the inclined angle. Another rotating disk has a long hole corresponding to an anchor element to limit a starting point and an end point of inclined angle travel caused by the above-mentioned dividing holes so that it can be used to adjust the inclined angle of computer, and avoid falling down due to an over-adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitac Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Kuang-Cheng Tai
  • Publication number: 20030001062
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for adjusting the inclination of a seat squab (12) of a vehicle seat (10), wherein the device (18) has a rocker (20) with an upper and a lower rocker element (22, 24) which are pivotably movably connected together by lateral bearing bushes (36). Fixed to the upper rocker element (22) is a toothed bridge (38) with mutually oppositely disposed bridge tooth arrangements (40) which are concentric with respect to the bearing bushes (36). Provided between the two bridge tooth arrangements (40) of the toothed bridge (38) are two toothed sliders (64) with slider tooth arrangements (66). Provided between the two toothed sliders (64) is a locking member (48) rotatable about a rotary axis (26) extending through the bearing bushes (36). The two toothed sliders (64) are linearly movably guided on the lower rocker element (24) between a locking position and a release and adjusting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Fretschner, Stefan Graf, Richard Ott
  • Patent number: 6328380
    Abstract: A device for adjustment inclination of a chair seat has a spindle rotatable upon applying a torque and a seat bearing member, which is mounted on the spindle. The seat bearing member is displaceable axially along the spindle and pivotal about an axis which extends perpendicular to the spindle, to provide the chair seat with angular displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Mercado Medic AG
    Inventor: Stephan du Rées
  • Patent number: 5772171
    Abstract: An adjustable support stand is provided for use in assembling wreaths and floral arrangements utilizing a base and an upper member connected to the base by a pair of hinges and adjustment rods. The upper member moves between a closed position where it lays against the base member and an open position wherein it forms an obtuse angle with the base member. In its open position, the upper member supports a wreath during the assembly process by the use of removable pegs inserted in perforations in the surface of the upper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Ralph T. Masaoka, Mary Anne Rougeux
  • Patent number: 5732911
    Abstract: A legless sign stand includes a rubber base having an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface. A first rigid planar member contacts the upper planar surface of the rubber base, and a second rigid planar member contacts the lower planar surface of the rubber base. Both of the rigid planar members are secured to the rubber base with bolts. Two support brackets are mounted to the first rigid planar member, and a support mast is connected between the two support brackets. The support mast accommodates a clamping member, which is adapted for clamping onto a portion of the highway traffic sign to thereby support the highway traffic sign above a horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Samuel J. Bechtle, Frank G. Cain
  • Patent number: 5577806
    Abstract: A footrest has a platform with an upper surface for supporting a user's feet above a ground surface. The footrest is supported by a base portion on the ground surface. An intermediate member is rotatably coupled to the base portion and to the platform for relative rotation about first and second axes, respectively. The first and second axes are offset from each other so that selective rotations about said first and second axes provide for height and orientation adjustment of the platform relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Continental Engineering Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos V. Ugalde
  • Patent number: 5395087
    Abstract: An quickly and easily adjustable support stand for a positive pressure blower having a stationary assembly attached to a pivotally mounted blower support assembly. A foot plate is attached to a horizontal latching bar having mounting pins at either end thereof. The latching bar is pivotally mounted to the stationary frame, and is held against the back of the larger blower support frame assembly which assembly is also separately pivotally mounted to the stationary frame. By applying pressure to the foot plate (i.e. by stepping on it) the latching bar may be moved away from the pivoting blower support assembly so that its angle of tilt may be adjusted by hand up or down. When the desired angle of tilt is reached, foot pressure to the horizontal bar may be released, latching the blower support frame assembly firmly in place on the stationary frame. This simple adjustment may be quickly accomplished by a fire fighter without even bending over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Dexter Coffman
    Inventor: Win VanBasten
  • Patent number: 5247976
    Abstract: An adjustable workpiece support attachment is disclosed for mounting to a base to facilitate the handling of long or unwieldy stock in stationary power tools and the like, the workpiece support attachment including a generally laterally extending workpiece engaging member having two adjacent sides in the form of a wing movable between a platform-like position and a ramp-like position to compensate for the natural downturn of material coming off of the work surface. The workpiece support attachment further includes generally vertically disposed extension members pivotably mounted to the workpiece engaging member for attachment to the base, and a means for releasably securing the extension member to facilitate height adjustment of the workpiece support attachment on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Marc R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5141196
    Abstract: There is disclosed a support for a keyboard. The support can be mounted either on a generally horizontal surface such as on a table, a portable cart, or an upper surface of a printer or on a vertical surface such as a wall. The support is adjustable so that the keyboard can be positioned at different inclinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory B. Arnold, Charles W. Klein, Bruce E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5083637
    Abstract: An apparatus for inputting commodity data including a bar code scanner having a reading window on a front surface thereof, a keyboard for inputting the commodity data which keyboard is supported at an upper portion of the bar code scanner, a cashier's display and a supporting member for rotatably supporting the bar code scanner in such a manner that the bar code scanner can be rotated about a horizontal pivotal axis. The bar code scanner can be rotated according to the kind of a commodity or the height of a cashier. Accordingly, a bar code of the commodity can be placed to a laser beam scanning area by the cashier in a natural posture, and can be read by the bar code scanner reliably and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukuo Kurimoto, Nobuhiko Fujii, Mitunori Kohno, Takao Umebara
  • Patent number: 5080419
    Abstract: A bracket for pivotally supporting a front leg of a foldable seat of a motor vehicle is disclosed, which comprises a base portion; side wall portions extending perpendicularly from opposed side ends of the base portion; a pivot shaft passing through aligned openings formed in the side wall portions; a structure defining in the base portion a plurality of openings, each opening being rimmed by a circular bank; and a structure defining on the base portion a semi-cylindrically raised portion. The raised portion and the circular bank are formed on a same surface of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5078235
    Abstract: An apparatus for imputting commodity data, including a bar code scanner and a keyboard for inputting the commodity data. The apparatus further includes a supporting member for pivotably supporting the keyboard at its front end, a plurality of engagement portions provided at one of opposed portions between the keyboard and the supporting member and arranged on an arc about an axis of rotation of the keyboard, a stopper member provided at the other of the opposed portions and adapted to be releasably engaged with any one of the engagement portions, and a release mechanism connected to the stopper member for releasing the stopper member from the engagement portion, the release mechanism having a knob projecting from the front end of the supporting member of the keyboard for operating the release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitunori Kohno, Takao Umebara, Yukuo Kurimoto, Nobuhiko Fujii
  • Patent number: 5005669
    Abstract: A commodity data inputting device including a keyboard retained on a base which is pivotally connected with a mounting member. A plurality of engaging portions are formed at one of opposed side portions between the mounting member and the base, and are arranged along an arc defined about a pivotal axis of the base. An engaging bar is normally engaged with one of the engaging portions by a biasing force applied toward the pivotal axis. A retaining portion is formed at the other of the opposed side portions to retain the engaging bar at its opposite ends. A release lever normally abutting against the engaging bar is displaceable by a biasing force larger than the biasing force applied to the engaging bar. An operating portion for operating the release lever is connected thereto through a wire and a spring connected with the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Umebara, Takeshi Yagome
  • Patent number: 4979716
    Abstract: A manually operable four-way automotive seat adjustment assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a fore and aft adjustment mechanism together with a vertical adjustment mechanism that enables the seat frame member to pivot up and down relative to the carriage/base subassembly. A combination quadrant/lift link is pivotably mounted to the seat frame member and has a support pin fixedly attached thereto at a point radially spaced from the pivot point of the quadrant. The support pin is journalled to a mounting bracket that is slidably mounted to the carriage member so that the bracket can take up the fore and aft movement of the support pin as the quadrant rotates with the raising and lowering of the seat frame. The mounting bracket is preferably made of a hard plastic material to reduce noise and provide ease of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Douglas & Lomason Company
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 4838510
    Abstract: Seat mounting, especially for office chairs, having a frame attachable to the lower side of the chair and provided with a pivotal holder for the back-rest and a pivotal holder for the support column of the chair. Secured between said holders and said frame are gas springs counteracting pivotal movement of said holders and, when actuated, permitting said holders to be pivoted. To actuate said gas springs an operating member is provided which is rotatable in opposite directions and also is vertically movable. Upon rotation of said operating member in one direction, one of said gas springs is released to permit pivotal movement of the associated holder. When said operating member is rotated in the opposite direction, the other gas spring is released to permit pivotal movement of the associated holder. When the operating member is raised, both gas springs are released to permit simultaneous pivotal movement of the back-rest and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Lars A. Holstensson
  • Patent number: 4805865
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization of the same of a manual vehicle seat adjuster with an overcenter locking device for the seat adjuster elevational adjustment mechanism. The seat adjuster of the present invention provides locking of the elevational adjustment mechanism independent of any spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Goforth
  • Patent number: 4781411
    Abstract: A portable sun shield is constructed from lightweight aluminum or PVC piping and is quickly attachable to a bracket assembly attached to the back of a fisherman's chair or the like. Several different bracket assemblies are utilized to hold the shield over the chair, and the shield can also be utilized as a sail for a boat in an emergency situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: James A. Kolb
  • Patent number: 4767156
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment apparatus includes a height control device and an inclination control device mounted on a seat frame for independently adjusting the height and inclination of a vehicle seat. A support base slidably supports a seat in a forward and a rearward direction. The seat frame means is mounted on the support base for supporting the seat. A rear portion of the seat is pivotally attached to the seat. A plurality of links pivotally connect the seat frame to the support base for raising and lowering the seat frame relative to the support base to adjust the height of the seat. The plurality of links include a control link, which is rotatably mounted on the seat frame. The height control device is connected to the control link and holds the plurality of links in a selected pivotal position. The height control device is operative to rotate the control link in a first direction to raise the seat and to rotate the control link opposite the first direction to lower the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Takami Terada
  • Patent number: 4767157
    Abstract: The seat lifter according to the invention includes a front and rear links supporting the upper bracket member and the upper bracket member has a first upper bracket supporting a seat cushion of the seat and a second upper bracket supporting a seat back of the seat. Thus, the seat back and seat cushion of the seat are respectively moved in the independent state. Particularly, a pair of second pivoting member respectively pivoting the front and rear links on the first upper bracket positions approximately in a rear direction in respect of a pair of first pivoting member and a pair of third pivoting member respectively pivoting the front and rear links on said second upper bracket positions approximately in an upper direction in respect of said first pivoting. In accordance with lifting the seat cushion by rotating the both links around the first pivoting member, the seat back moves in a forward direction and the size of the seat cushion is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kazaoka, Hiroshi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 4734945
    Abstract: A tilt mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the angle of rest of an infant contained within an infant incubator. The tilt mechanism comprises at least one bent rod that underlies the bed on which the infant is positioned. By rotating the bent rod, an offset shaped portion of the rod elevates one end of the infant bed. The rotation is effected by a handle located outside the incubator and which has a plurality of positions, each of which position is locked in place by a spring biased plunger that enters certain grooves formed in the interior surface of the handle. A push button pushes against the spring bias to move the plunger out of engagement with the grooves in the handle so that the handle can be rotated to another selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry E. Wright
  • Patent number: 4691890
    Abstract: A locking device for adjusting an angle or height of two parts of a seat comprises a housing, a rod slidable within the housing, a push rod with a spring to urge it forward, a spring cylinder, a cylindrical collet able to be compressed inwardly thereby engaging the spring cylinder with its cleaved portion, a cone fixed at the forward end of the push rod, moveable within the collet, a second spring biasing the cone, and drive means for driving the push rod along the housing. When the cone engages the collet by action of the second spring, the collet abuts the cylinder, thereby locking the rod and housing together. When the cone disengages from the collet, the collet is released from the spring cylinder by its own resilient force thereby releasing the rod from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Myong-ja Han
  • Patent number: 4687251
    Abstract: A seat cushion for a vehicle seat includes a moving device one end thereof being connected to the vehicle floor and the other end connected to the seat cushion for moving the cushion forwardly and rearwardly relative to a seat back and an operating lever for actuating the moving device and a two-way clutch for transmitting output from the operating lever to the moving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Kazaoka, Hiroshi Okazaki, Yasuhisa Inaba
  • Patent number: 4669694
    Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the tilt angle of a flat display panel, such as a plasma panel, includes a strut and a rotatable stop member engaging one end of the strut. The strut has one end pivotally attached to a vertically extending support member which supports the display panel housing by means of a hinge attached to the back wall of the housing. The other end of the strut extends through an elongated slot extending generally in the vertical direction in the back wall of the housing and engages the rotatable stop member mounted on the back wall opposite the slot. The stop member has a smooth surface and a frictional surface provided with a number of detents. A lever attached to a shaft portion of the rotatable stop member extending below the bottom wall of the housing facilitates rotation of the stop to a position in which the strut is in sliding engagement with the smooth surface, allowing free adjustment of the tilt angle of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Robert G. Malick
  • Patent number: 4650249
    Abstract: The invention comprises an ergonomic support system for a person in a seated position comprised of torso support platform, a seat, a shin support platform all supported by a main frame generally the size of a common chair, related attachments for facial and arm supports, further includes a pelvic tilt seat for the system to allow alignment of the body and unimpeded movement of the arms and pelvis and a healthy and comfortable position of the spine.The support platforms are preferably padded and shaped to fit the users body telescoping legs for distance adjustment coupled to a pivotal joints for angular adjustment and sliding joints for height and lateral adjustment provide flexibility for these platforms to adjust to an individual body in various positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Inventor: Hector Serber
  • Patent number: 4616876
    Abstract: A base bracket is fixed to a driven shaft and a fixed gear, a lock gear rotatably supported by the base bracket and engageable with the fixed gear, a guide bracket rotatably supported by the base bracket, a handle slidably supported by the base bracket, a member for coupling the guide bracket to the lock gear and a member fixed to the handle and for rotating the guide bracket when the handle is slid relative to the base bracket, wherein the handle is slidably extended most outwardly from the base bracket, the guide bracket is rotated by the rotating member relative to the base bracket and the lock gear is also rotated through the coupling member so that the engagement between the lock gear and the fixed gear is released whereby the base bracket and hence the shaft can be rotatable by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Tachikawa Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Masatatsu Kanai, Seishiro Saitoh, Shigeru Kanai
  • Patent number: 4597567
    Abstract: A spring for creating adjustable torsional resistance between two members which are pivotal relative to each other. The spring comprises a stack of axially aligned elastomer torsion rings (30). A locking ring (34) is secured to and separates adjacent torsion rings, one locking ring being associated with each torsion ring. The assembled stack is firmly attached to one of the pivotal members (14). There is connecting sleeve (46) engageable selectively with each locking ring and with the other relatively pivotal member. The number of torsion rings exposed to pivotal motion between the members to vary the torsional resistance of the spring is determined by engagement between the connecting sleeve and selected locking rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Barry Wright Corporation
    Inventor: Romulus Racca
  • Patent number: 4561621
    Abstract: An earth working vehicle such as a backhoe having an earth working bucket to form an excavation in the ground at the rear end of the vehicle and the operator must visually observe the excavation being done, a tiltable seat assembly including a seat support frame, an operator's seat secured to said frame, a resilient support for supporting said seat on said frame, a pivot support for pivotally connecting the support frame about a transverse horizontal axis to the vehicle to permit the support frame, the seat and the resilient support to tilt as a unit about the transverse axis and consequently tilt an operator in the seat for better visibility of the area being excavated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kevin E. Hill
  • Patent number: 4555081
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for use in mounting a video display terminal on the top surface of a workstation stand which can be tilted back and forth to allow the video display terminal to be positioned for the most comfortable, glare-free viewing and which can be swiveled about a vertical axis to change the viewing direction is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Wright Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert G. Ermanski