Notch Or Cavity Engaging Latch Patents (Class 248/407)
  • Patent number: 6854697
    Abstract: A first stopper supporting member (31), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a second tubular member (22) of a telescopic unit (15) along a first tubular member (21), is disposed around the outer surface of the first tubular member (21). A second stopper supporting member (31a), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a third tubular member (23) along the second tubular member (22) is disposed around the outer surface of the second tubular member (22). A facing end (71) of the first stopper supporting member (31) and a facing end (72) of the second stopper supporting member (31a) have nearly the same outer diameter. The resulting telescopic unit (15) is both attractive in appearance and free from the problem of being inadvertently caught by another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hakuba Shashin Sangyo Kabushiki
    Inventor: Mitsuru Akaike
  • Patent number: 6719259
    Abstract: An easel board support is installed on an easel supporting leg for suspending and supporting objects and the height thereof is adjustable. The easel board support comprises a sleeve and a board support body. The sleeve is capable of being inserted by an easel supporting leg and have two pivotal ears each having through hole. A part of the sleeve at an inner side of the pivotal ear has a slot. An elastic press is formed between the two slots. By a large contact surface between the press piece and the supporting leg, the board support is positioned stably; and by the resisting effect between a resisting block and the sleeve, the board support will not fall downwards. The press can be replaced by a receiving groove formed between the two pivotal ears and a cambered pressing block installed in the receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Jason Huang, Pao Pei-Chih
  • Patent number: 6702384
    Abstract: A support device is provided for leaning against by a generally upright person. The support device includes a seat portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of legs each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion. Each of the legs is located generally adjacent to the peripheral edge. The legs are spaced from each other. The legs are each telescoping and selectively extendable between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher D. Brown
  • Patent number: 6666417
    Abstract: A baby bottle attachment for visually engaging a baby during feeding with a bottle. The baby bottle attachment includes a first housing for receiving a baby bottle, a second housing for adjustable receiving the first housing, and a visual indicator device attached to the second housing within the line of vision of the baby while the baby is drinking from the bottle. The visual indicator device is removably attached for allowing various designs to be provided to the baby as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick J. Wright
  • Patent number: 6661676
    Abstract: A protective shielding device includes a circuit board having a notch and one or more holes formed in one side, and a shielding member engaged onto the circuit board for shielding the circuit board and having a leg extended from one side for engaging through the notch and for extending toward the lower portion of the circuit board. The leg includes one or more catches for engaging into the holes and for latching the shielding member to the circuit board. The other sides of the shielding member and the circuit board may then be secured together with fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Global Sun Technology Inc.
    Inventor: I-Tao Chen
  • Publication number: 20030173475
    Abstract: An elevating device includes a casing with an upper opening defined to allow the upper tube to extend into the casing and a lower opening defined to communicate with the upper opening and allow the lower tube to extend into the casing, a worm gear rotatably received in the casing to mesh the rack of the upper tube, and a worm shaft extending into the casing to mesh the worm gear so as to drive the movement of the upper tube relative to the lower tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6612664
    Abstract: Cabinet modules are readily attached and removed from selected attachment parts on a vertical support to provide customized portable storage and instrument mounting. Drawers may be accommodated within a module. A lock on a single drawer can secure all other drawers and modules on one side of the vertical support. An uninterruptable power supply can e incorporated into an enclosed, ventilated module and located at an attachment point low on the vertical support to maintain a low center of gravity while supplying portable power to electronic instruments carried on the vertical support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Pryor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Pryor, Paul E. Pryor, Kevin Donahue
  • Patent number: 6598841
    Abstract: The present invention provides a height adjustable table leg including an upper housing attachable to an underside of a table and being formed with an upper tubular portion. A lower tube member is dimensioned and configured to be telescopingly received by the upper tubular portion. A cam member is pivotably mounted to the upper tubular portion and selectively cooperates with an undulating strip attached to the lower tube member in one of a plurality of telescoped positions relative to the upper tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Erickson, Craig H. Schultz, Michael J. Bell
  • Patent number: 6585215
    Abstract: An adjustable, telescoping seat support with suspension that allows the height of a bicycle seat to be adjusted to a number of seat height positions safely while bicycle is in motion. An elongated tubular seat post is clamped to a bicycle frame in a stationary position. A bicycle seat is attached to an end of a tubular seat holder that is slidably posited over the stationary tubular seat post. The tubular seat holder has a coil spring on it that would provide suspension. A coil spring placed inside the tubular seat holder provides an extending force on the tubular seat post and the tubular seat holder such that the seat support is capable of extending to a raised seat position and compressing to a lowered seat position. The seat is locked into raised and lowered seat positions by a plunger locking portion that is attached to the elongated tubular seat holder and which remains at a fixed position relative to the seal for all seat height positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Allen Duncan
  • Patent number: 6557571
    Abstract: A crutch constructed of two adjacently located, elongated, parallel upper and lower bows which can be moved in relationship to each other to form a vertical support of readily varied length. These bows have the same design and are therefore interchangeable, significantly reducing inventory requirements. Each bow has a series of parallel horizontal notches with the bows positioned so that the notches on each bow are on contacting surfaces. A pin inserted into parallel, adjacent notches on the two bows in cooperation with two or more collars or caps on the ends of one end of each bow fixes the relationship between the shafts which, in turn, defines the length of the vertical support. A similar concept can be used to lock a moveable centrally located lower bow between two parallel outer upper bows. This assemble provides a strong, adjustable length crutch for any height patient using only two different pairs of bow lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jimmie Reuben Schultz
  • Publication number: 20020185581
    Abstract: A bicycle seat support structured to improve a rider's ability to change a seat's elevation, while riding safely, between a high position for ergonomic pedalling and a low position for hill descent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Brian C. Trask
  • Patent number: 6478278
    Abstract: An adjustable, telescoping seat support that allows the height of a bicycle seat to be adjusted to a number of seat height positions safely while bicycle is in motion. An elongated tubular seat post is clamped to a bicycle frame in a stationary position. A bicycle seat is attached to an end of a seat holder that is slidably positioned internal to the stationary tubular seat post. A coil spring provides an extending force on the tubular seat post and the tubular seat holder such that the seat support is capable of extending to a raised seat position and compressing to a lowered seat position. The seat is locked into raised and lowered seat positions by a plunger locking portion that is attached to the elongated tubular seat post and which remains at a fixed position relative to the seat for all seat height positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Allen Gary Duncan
  • Patent number: 6435112
    Abstract: A height adjustable table that has a base and a table top. A support is attached to the tabletop where the support selectively engages the base solely via friction so that the tabletop is prevented from moving relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Warren Insalaco
  • Publication number: 20020104934
    Abstract: An intravenous (IV) support system includes a moveable base and an upright IV pole. The base comprises a lower wheeled plate, an upper plate having a through hole, and an upright elongate tube fastened to the upper and lower plates. The tube is aligned with the through hole of the upper plate to form a passage for the IV pole. A bolt transversely extends through the wall of the tube to form a transverse supporting surface for the IV pole. The IV pole comprises, at a lower end thereof, a pin extending from a flange so that the IV pole may be fitted in a through bore of and supported by a mounting adapter mounted to a patient support frame. The system allows the IV pole to be easily transferable among numerous stand-alone bases and patient support frames, and steadily retained by the bases and mounting adapters mounted to the patient support frames without positive locking mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Emergent Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Duane Elliott, Dwayne Morrow, Larry Rubin
  • Publication number: 20020008181
    Abstract: An anti-fatigue platform includes a resilient body having a flat bottom surface and a sloped upper surface. The sloped upper surface promotes vertical equilibrium and relieves lower and mid back muscular stress when a worker is standing for long periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Gordon Lamont
  • Patent number: 6293512
    Abstract: A collapsible support frame is formed of an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plurality of support legs. The support legs are fastened to the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube is rotatably fitted into the outer tube. The folding and the unfolding of the support legs are attained by turning the inner tube an angle. The inner tube has a hollow interior for holding a Christmas tree, a flag pole, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Ching-Mo Ho
  • Patent number: 6244606
    Abstract: A fixing safety-control device for a collapsible child walker is composed by a pressing article and an integral stopping board. On one reinforcing rib near the end of the sliding groove in the base member is provided with a crooked groove. The inserting strip provided on one end of the stopping board is inserted into the crooked groove to be fixed, and then the pressing article is penetrated through the sliding groove of the base member to let the front head be inserted into the hole of the stopping board so as to be in a fixed position. When the seat structure being collapsed, the sliding article of the connection structure will be stopped against the stopping surface of the stopping board and fixed so as to keep a safe distance from the base member to prevent a user's hands from being clamped. At last, the pressing article is pressed to let the stopping board separate from the sliding article, and by the elasticity of the hook, the child walker can be collapsed successfully and safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Peng-Yao Yang
  • Patent number: 6209840
    Abstract: A mechanism for the relative positioning of chair arm comprises a shroud including a first opening, a second opening, and a top plate; a supporting member disposed within the shroud including a notched cavity; a shuttle member disposed between the shroud and the supporting member comprising a vertical member having a slanted slot, a top horizontal member having a riser, a spring disposed on the riser being biased between the top horizontal member and the top plate, and a trigger button disposed on the top horizontal member; and a lock pin for slidably securing the slanted slot, the first opening, and the cavity together. Raising the trigger button will cause the lock pin to slide along the cavity and release of the trigger button will cause the lock pin to lock in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Chao Ken Chen
  • Patent number: 6202971
    Abstract: An adjustable, telescoping seat support allows the height of a bicycle seat to be adjusted to a number of seat height positions safely while bicycle is in motion. An elongated tubular seat post is clamped to a bicycle frame in a stationary position. A bicycle seat is attached to an end of a tubular seat holder that is slidably posited over the stationary tubular seat post. A coil spring placed inside the tubular seat holder provides an extending force on the tubular seat post and the tubular seat holder such that the seat support is capable of extending to a raised seat position and compressing to a lowered seat position. The seat is locked into raised and lowered seat positions by a plunger locking portion that is attached to the elongated tubular seat holder and which remains at a fixed position relative to the seat for all seat height positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Allen G. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6173929
    Abstract: This is a device to assist in the loading of a boat (canoe) onto the top of a vehicle by only one person. This device does not come into contact with any part of the vehicle. In this invention four legs are attached to the bottom lift tube base, thus supporting the lift tubes in the vertical position. The height of the stand is adjustable by placing the height adjust pin into the desired through hole. Once adjusted the rotary shaft is moved to its horizontal position, protruding out towards the side. Separately, the boat plate is firmly fixed to one end of the boat by the use of a strap and buckle. With the use of your hands, you rotate the boat on the ground to its side, then lift the boat until the connect pin falls into the hole on the rotary shaft. Once in, a clip is used to secure the boat plate to the stand. The user then moves to the side of the boat and lifts and rotates it upwards until the lock collar falls into its locking position. The boat is now firmly anchored in the top position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Robin LaPointe
  • Patent number: 6155646
    Abstract: A portable stool useful for hunting, spectator events, and other uses which can be supported by any generally vertical surface such as a tree, wall, post, etc. and the ground is disclosed. The stool can be easily and quickly converted from a use mode into a compact mode for easy carrying and storage and back to a use mode. The preferred stool has a primary support member, a secondary support member, preferably pivotly attached to said primary support member, having a fork on one end, and a seat. The seat can be padded and preferably locks onto either the primary support member or the secondary support member, or both, in the compact mode. The primary support member can also have projections for attaching to a rope or cable making the stool also useful as a handle to pull or drag a heavy object such as large game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Lewis Sisson
  • Patent number: 6092771
    Abstract: A furniture leg is disclosed with a telescopically movable portion for adjusting the height of the furniture wherein the leg includes an upper leg portion comprising a tube, a lower leg portion adapted to rest on the floor and the lower leg portion being inserted into and being telescopically movable with respect to the upper leg portion and having a cross-section corresponding to the clear in the upper leg portion apart from a groove extending in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ideassociates, LTD
    Inventor: Preben Bo Fich
  • Patent number: 6056364
    Abstract: A headrest for motor-vehicle seats comprising a yielding body and a pair of support rods having positioning notches cooperating with respective resilient locking members which can normally be released to enable height adjustment of the headrest. An inertial mass is associated to at least one of the resilient locking members, which is normally kept in an inoperative condition and is movable, upon application to the headrest of a force exceeding a preset threshold value, to an operative condition in which the at least one resilient locking member is made unreleasable relative to the positioning notches of the related support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Gestind-M.B. "Manifattura di Brusolo" S.p.A.
    Inventor: Emilio De Filippo
  • Patent number: 6041681
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lug wrench stabilizer for use in safely and conveniently removing and replacing a vehicle wheel normally secured to the vehicle by a plurality of securely tightened lug nuts. The invention provides an "A" frame which is formed by a right and left tubular member and a horizontal support bar connected to and positioned between the right and left tubular members at a predetermined height below the apex. Each of said tubular members comprise a telescoping leg within a housing which is supportably connected to a standing pad and a standing pad swivel means to support the assembled device on uneven terrain. Each of the telescoping legs has a plurality of notches situated across the width of the telescoping legs that can be aligned for receiving a bail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Edwin Griffin, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5838392
    Abstract: An adaptive block-matching motion estimator for used in a video coding system wherein the adaptive block-matching motion estimator is less in hardware complexity and latency time and is therefore more cost-effective to implement and higher in performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hongyi Chen, Qingming Shu
  • Patent number: 5746407
    Abstract: A tripod includes a vertically movable center column dividable into an upper column member and a lower column member. A lower flange on a lower end of the lower column member prevents the center column from slipping off the tripod when fully extended. When a user removes the lower column member for an activity such as low-angle photography, a number of stopper protrusions prevent the upper column member from slipping off the tripod. When the user reattaches the lower column member, the stopper protrusions disengage to permit free movement of the center column. The present invention thus allows low-angle photography, provides a wide range of vertical motion of the center column, and prevents the user from accidentally damaging a camera when the lower column member is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5740998
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an extendible arm for a camera stand or the like, comprising an outer elongate rigid sleeve and an inner elongate rigid sleeve telescopically slidable with respect to the outer sleeve to extend therefrom by a variable amount. One end of the inner sleeve disposed within the outer sleeve has a detent mechanism for locking the inner sleeve in any of a number of positions of extension with respect to the outer sleeve and a release member for the detent mechanism is provided at the other end of the inner sleeve which projects from the outer sleeve with a connection between the release member and detent mechanism extending through the inner sleeve for remote operation of the detent mechanism by the release member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Vitec Group plc
    Inventors: Richard Arthur Lindsay, Robin Andrew Sayer
  • Patent number: 5666888
    Abstract: A height-adjustable work surface assembly including a movable work surface. A frame extends from beneath the work surface in order to provide support for the work surface. The frame has a support member directed downward from beneath the work surface. A leg is adjustably connected to the support member. A rack is connected to one of the support member and the leg. The rack includes a plurality of substantially horizontally extending teeth. An interlocking block is positioned adjacent the rack and within a cavity formed between the rack and the leg. The interlocking block is movable into and out of engagement with the rack. The cavity has a width greater than a width of the interlocking block and a width of one the teeth. A first fastening mechanism is connected to the interlocking block. The first fastening mechanism is horizontally movable such that the interlocking block is secured against the rack in a locked position and completely disengaged from the rack in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Dame, David A. Immink, Walter K. Klaiber, Konrad Merkt
  • Patent number: 5636823
    Abstract: An IV pole having an interior drag brake which selectively prevents downward movement or allows downward movement of the pole due to gravitational acceleration including a first pole member and at least a second pole member which telescopes into and out of the first pole member. The second pole member includes on its lower end an O-ring encircling the end, and a nylon split collar encircling the O-ring. In another embodiment, a seal is disposed between the first and second pole members and is operable to create an air cushion beneath the second pole member and within the first pole member. The seal can be an O-ring seal, a Quad-Ring.RTM. seal or a lip seal. A valve is disposed in the first pole member for bleeding off air between the first and second pole members, whereby the second pole member has a predetermined or selectively controllable rate of descent with respect to the first pole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Boyd
  • Patent number: 5617798
    Abstract: An all-purpose reusable adjustable cake support capable of being easily and thoroughly cleaned. A shaft is inserted into a mated hollow tube to form an adjustable pole. The shaft has perpendicular fins in spaced relation along the length of the shaft. The fins form a series of parallel slots running transversely to the lengthwise axis of the shaft. Each fin has a groove such that the aligned grooves form a channel that runs the length of the shaft. A knob-like projection integral with the tube extends into the interior of the tube. The shaft is inserted into the tube to the desired depth by aligning the channel with the knob-like projection. To lock the shaft in place at a desired pole length, the shaft is rotated so that the groove and projection are misaligned, such that the fins catch on the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: April J. Lytell
  • Patent number: 5586830
    Abstract: A device (10) is disclosed including a shelf (80) mounted to a lift tube (76) of a lift sub-assembly (74). An adjustment cone (88) is secured to the lower end of a rod (86) having its upper end pivotably secured to a handle (82) in turn pivotably secured adjacent the upper end of the lift tube (76). The lift tube (74) is slideable in cylindrical inner surfaces (58) of top and bottom bushings (50, 68) separated by positional spacers (66) having inner surfaces spaced from the lift tube (76). Indexing spacers (26) are slideably received and stacked end-on-end inside a vertical tube (18) below the bushings (50, 68) and the positional spacers (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture, Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Wanek, James C. Dotta, Brian Konkel, Duane Herold
  • Patent number: 5572835
    Abstract: A flagpole is provided for displaying a flag, the flagpole comprises at least one longitudinally extending tubular segment and rotatable flag engaging rings concentrically disposed on the tubular segment. One of the rotatable flag engaging rings includes a pawl device, concentrically disposed on the tubular segment, for allowing only uni-directional lateral movement of one of the flag engaging rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: HMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas R. Atkins, Anthony M. Manfredi
  • Patent number: 5400995
    Abstract: An IV pole having an interior drag brake which selectively prevents downward movement or allows downward movement of the pole due to gravitational acceleration including a first pole member and at least a second pole member which telescopes into and out of the first pole member. The second pole member includes on its lower end an O-ring encircling the end, and a nylon split collar encircling the O-ring. In another embodiment, a seal is disposed between the first and second pole members and is operable to create an air cushion beneath the second pole member and within the first pole member. The seal can be an O-ring seal, a Quad- Ring.RTM. seal or a lip seal. A valve is disposed in the first pole member for bleeding off air between the first and second pole members, whereby the second pole member has a predetermined or selectively controllable rate of descent with respect to the first pole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Boyd
  • Patent number: 5375835
    Abstract: A basketball assemblage capable of assembly into a basketball system includes an inner pole section and an outer pole section which mate in a telescoping manner. The inner pole section contains a plurality of depressions which are releasably engageable by a latch secured to the outer pole section, thereby making the pole movable among a plurality of predetermined positions. The latch includes a pivot arm pivotally mounted for movement between a position engaging a selected depression to prevent telescoping pole movement, and a releasing position which allows movement. A safety lock pin is releasably engageable to prevent movement of the pivot arm. A slider positioned adjacent the inner pole section reduces binding. The pole also includes a sealed chamber for damping movement of the inner pole section to prevent the backboard from moving suddenly downward when the latch is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Barry D. Mower, Robert Adams, Kelly Taylor
  • Patent number: 5323997
    Abstract: An undercarriage telescopic support stand for use in conjunction with an automotive shop vehicle lift and is used by mechanics to perform undercarriage operation such as installing exhaust systems, shocks, struts and springs. The device provides a vertically adjustable shaft which can be adapted to reach and support an exhaust system, or other components located on the underside of a vehicle, at varying heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Stanley A. Danaj
  • Patent number: 5082261
    Abstract: A basketball assembly comprising a base (4), a lower post (6) attached at a lower end to the base and having an axial bore (41) extending downwardly therein from an upper end, an upper post (10) receivable in the lower post bore and extending upwardly therefrom, a backboard member (12) having a transverse slot (80) extending therethrough, and a hoop member (14) assembled over the top of the post (10) after insertion through the slot (80) in the backboard member (12). The upper post (10) is longitudinally repositionable within the axial bore (41), and a latching mechanism (52) is provided to engage detents (66) located in the upper posts (10), whereby securing the post (10) at a desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventor: Keith A. Pelfrey
  • Patent number: 4901968
    Abstract: A vertically extensible seat bracket assembly for fishing boats or the like, characterized in that most of the assembly mounts below the boat deck when in this lowered position, the seat may be raised and locked in its elevated position with a simple lift-and-twist motion. The seat mount assembly includes a shock absorbing spring, as well as a feature which allows easy removal of the seat for storage while the major portion of the seat bracket assembly remains below the boat deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventors: John W. Ellis, John W. Ellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4811983
    Abstract: A gas spring for supporting a cab enclosure pivotably mounted to the body of a skid-steer vehicle. A stop tube is mounted to a piston rod and is telescopically cooperable with a cylinder body. Two parallel slots extend in a transverse direction through the stop tube. A stop slide has a pair of legs which are adapted to slide within the slots of a stop tube. A release portion of the stop slide is sized to permit the cylinder body to pass between the legs, while a stop portion is sized to prevent the cylinder body from passing between the legs. A spring urges the stop slide toward a stop position at which the stop portion of the stop slide is aligned with the cylinder body when the piston rod is extended. The cab enclosure is thereby latched to a tilt-back position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Verne C. Watts, Orlan J. Loraas, Wally L. Kaczmarski, James E. Asche
  • Patent number: 4793611
    Abstract: Portable, lightweight-construction toy basketball set made of releasably interlocking plastic parts for ease of assembly and disassembly in which backboard structure and a base support are interconnected by an elongated upright standard. An elongated upright is provided which is divisible into separate columns which interfit telescopically and present helically-oriented interrupted threads for ease of selection of upright height and release for further adjustment or separation of the columns. A bracket interconnects a hoop flange to the backboard with the bracket and hoop flange having matching interfitting configurations for yieldably releasing the hoop for angular relative movement with respect to such backboard so as to prevent damage to interfitted parts during execution of a slam dunk play and to permit angular relative movement for manually returning such hoop to normal play position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Spang & Company
    Inventor: Ernest L. Thornell
  • Patent number: 4765277
    Abstract: A telescopic pole system for supporting a bird feeder, light system or the like comprises an elongated lower tubular pole component of circular cross-section, a ground sleeve for supporting the lower pole component, an upper tubular pole component of circular cross-section having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the lower pole component, the lower pole component having an upper end of expanded cross-section for a snug, sliding fit within the upper pole component, and a collar secured to the lower end of the upper pole component having centering members for providing a snug, sliding fit over the lower pole component as the upper component is axially extended and retracted relative to the lower component, the collar having a pivotally-mounted retainer for locking the upper component on the lower component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventors: Robert A. Bailey, Gordon H. Laurie
  • Patent number: 4757868
    Abstract: A demountable sulky, which may be readily coupled and uncoupled to a steerable, motor-driven front wheel assembly, incorporates a T-bar which is disengageably latched at its front end to the front wheel assembly and disengageably latched to separate wheel supporting frames at its rear ends. The wheel frames demountably support a seat and are held in rigidly spaced apart position in a safe and secure manner by a unique demountable brace system which also is used as a spoke system holding demountable wheel segments in assembled relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: Thomas A. Cresswell
  • Patent number: 4706916
    Abstract: A support stand for a camera or other optical device comprises a head portion supported by support legs comprising first and second telescopically related tube portions, the inner tube portion forming the upper part of the respective leg and the outer tube portion forming the lower part. A fixing device for locking the tube portions of each leg relative to each other comprises an actuating member, a connecting rod and a clamping arrangement connected to the actuating member by the connecting rod and comprising at least one clamping cone member and at least one pressure element. The actuating member is carried on the inner tube portion in the vicinity of the support head portion of the stand. Actuation of the actuating member causes the pressure element to be expanded by displacement of the cone member until the pressure element bears against the inside surface of the outer tube portion, thereby to secure it in position relative to the inner tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Cullmann Handelsgesellschaft fur Verbrauchsguter mbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Cullmann, Klaus Leinfelder
  • Patent number: 4684098
    Abstract: A support column unit for an adjustable-height chair and the like comprises upper and lower telescoping tubular members, a piston-and-cylinder type pneumatic spring located coaxially within the tubular members and having its cylinder member secured to the lower tubular member, and a gravity dependent locking mechanism for locking the piston rod member of the pneumatic spring to the upper tubular member when the support column is upright and for releasing the piston rod member when the support column is inverted. The locking mechanism comprises a lock body retained within the upper tubular member and having a bore sized and positioned to permit sliding axial movement of the piston rod member therein. The lock body has one or more cavities, each one in communication with the bore and containing a locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs Industries
    Inventors: Lee T. Lamond, Richard D. Staton
  • Patent number: 4673155
    Abstract: A piece of boat furniture is vertically adjustable by a pneumatically controlled system. The furniture includes a base securely mountable to the deck of a boat. A first hollow shaft of generally square cross section is secured to the base and extends upwardly therefrom. A second hollow shaft of generally square cross section is longitudinally movable with respect to the first shaft. The shafts are coaxial, with one of the shafts disposed at least partially inside the other. The spacing between the shafts is sufficiently small that the shafts cannot twist or rotate with respect to each other. A fluid operated piston is operably secured to the second shaft for moving it longitudinally with respect to the first shaft. A mounting surface is disposed at the top of the second shaft and fixedly secured thereto. A seat, table top or the like is secured to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventor: William T. Binder
  • Patent number: 4640484
    Abstract: A support column unit for an adjustable-height chair and the like comprises upper and lower telescoping tubular members, a piston-and-cylinder type pneumatic spring located coaxially within the tubular members and having its cylinder member secured to the lower tubular member, and a gravity dependent locking mechanism for locking the piston rod member of the pneumatic spring to the upper tubular member when the support column is upright and for releasing the piston rod member when the support column is inverted. The locking mechanism comprises a lock body retained within the upper tubular member and having a bore sized and positioned to permit sliding axial movement of the piston rod member therein. The lock body has one or more cavities, each one in communication with the bore and containing a locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs Industries
    Inventors: Lee T. Lamond, Richard D. Staton
  • Patent number: 4557470
    Abstract: In a gas pressure spring for a chair, a locking device is provided, which includes a safety sleeve formed of two semi-circular halves which are clamped on an outer tube of the gas pressure spring by clamping bolts. The outer tube is formed with an end portion of a reduced diameter and a transition zone. The two halves of the safety sleeve are formed each with an inner collar matching the transition zone of the outer tube. One of the halves is formed with a through opening for passing a height-adjusting lever towards the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Wilhelm Link GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Link
  • Patent number: 4544125
    Abstract: An improved sign bracket is disclosed, which includes apparatus for mounting the bracket on a sign stand and mechanism for attaching and retaining the sign to the bracket. The preferred attachment mechanism includes at least one channel member and a resiliently pivotal latching member that cooperate to partially circumscribe a cross-brace on the sign. The pivotal latching member also preferably permits the sign to laterally pivot under side-wind loads so that a resilient portion of the sign stand deflects generally along a predetermined plane to substantially prevent the sign and stand assembly from tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4485996
    Abstract: A height adjustor for funiture, such as chairs, and the like, comprises a pair of telescoping tubular members which interconnect base and seat portions of a chair and form a supportive pedestal therefor. A ram is mounted in the tubular members, such that extension and retraction of the ram respectively raises and lowers the chair seat. The ram and tubular members are sized in a manner to form an annular space therebetween which permits the ram to assume an eccentric position in the tubular members during a loaded chair condition. The ram ends are pivotally connected in the tubular members, such that lateral forces (as distinguished from vertical forces) which are applied to a chair seat are supported primarily by the tubular members, and are not transmitted to the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Duane M. Beukema, Jack R. Knoblauch
  • Patent number: 4478456
    Abstract: Means for removably connecting and vertically adjustably supporting a headrest to an automotive seat. Detent mechanisms of said means which engage with a base member of the headrest for fixing the headrest at a desired elevation are accommodated to those parts of the means which are substantially over the upper end of the automotive seat, and are easily accessible for their assembly or dismantle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Seat Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Mitsui
  • Patent number: 4339104
    Abstract: An upright standard is provided including upper and lower relatively telescoped and slidably adjustable end portions. The lower end of the lower end portion includes a horizontally enlarged floor engageable base and the retention structure is operatively connected between the upper and lower end portions for releasably preventing downward movement of the upper end portion relative to the lower end portion from selected extended positions of the upper end portion relative to the lower end portion. The upper end of the upper end portion rotatably supports mirror mounting structure for angular displacement relative to the upper end portion about an upstanding axis and a mirror element supporting frame is supported from the mounting structure for angular adjustment about a horizontal axis generally paralleling the mirror element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Inventor: Marilyn V. Weidman