With Article Gripping Means Patents (Class 248/451)
  • Patent number: 11582878
    Abstract: A visual display stand is shown and described. The display stand comprises a thin aluminum member that slopes downward and away from a display to which it is attached to a horizontal base section that rests on a support surface. The horizontal base is spaced apart from the screen in a direction away from the rear of the display. A rear support member is also provided but is concealed from view when looking at the screen side of the display. As a result, when the stand is attached to display and viewed from the front, it gives a gravity defying appearance because it appears that the weight of the monitor should cause the stand to tip over. Alternatively, the second member may be removed, and the display may rest against a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Vizio, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Gihong Kim, Aung Khin Soe Win, William Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 11480292
    Abstract: Various mountings are disclosed for holding a portable screen device in an attitude for hands-free viewing. The mountings are particularly, but not exclusively, useful for supporting portable screen devices (522, FIG. 5A) from the seat-back trays (528) found in passenger vehicles, when the trays are in the “up” position. Each mounting comprises a pair of hooked members (510), each hooked member having a spine (515) provided with first and second hook portions (512, 514) arranged on opposite sides of the spine to face in mutually opposed directions. Each hook portion (512, 514) comprises an open end and a closed end bounded by outer and inner, mutually opposed sides of the hook portion. Various embodiments are disclosed that are also capable of supporting portable screen devices when seat-back trays are in the “down” position, see e.g., FIG. 5B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Ralph Channon
  • Patent number: 11202503
    Abstract: A dual tablet and dual smartphone holder that is a rectangular cuboid that defines an upper central slit, that holds two tablets that face in opposite directions, and that further defines a left upper slanted slit and a right upper slanted slit that that run inward toward the upper central slit, the left upper slanted slit and the right upper slanted slit hold smartphones. The smartphones placed in the left upper slanted slit and the right upper slanted slit are at an angle that allows each smartphone to capture the image of a user that is placed before the screen of the smartphone when the rectangular cuboid is placed on a table or desk that is before the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Hugo Diaz
  • Patent number: 11185164
    Abstract: A rotating painting apparatus includes a plurality of painting stations rotatably mounted to a base plate and each station having 2, 3, 4, or more faces on which to apply paint. A painting station includes a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the base plate. Rotation of the drive shaft causes the painting station to swivel, i.e., to rotate. The stretched frame member includes upstanding side support members extending from the bottom wall and about which a length of canvas may be stretched to form a painting station having two faces (front and rear), three faces (triangular), or four faces (cube), and so on. A chain drive operated by a drive motor enables all of the frame assemblies to be rotated together. The apparatus may include a motion sensor operable to actuate the motor and drive shaft to cause rotation when motion is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: John Schwind
  • Patent number: 11178963
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a book holder capable of holding books having various thicknesses and, specifically, to a book holder capable of holding a thick book open, as is, without folding the pages thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Young-Chan Jeon
  • Patent number: 10902828
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a mounting system that securely stores an instrument (e.g., a guitar) on either side of a support, such as an amplifier and/or speaker. The disclosed system includes a main bar that directly contacts a top surface, such as a speaker cabinet. The main bar comprises a pair of side arms that support mounts. In this way, a pair of instruments can be simultaneously suspended by the headstock on either side of the support. The system also includes a support bar operably attached via connectors to the main bar for the releasable attachment of a microphone. The support bar comprises at least one foot assembly that locks the system in place under the lip of the top support surface. Advantageously, the system securely retains an instrument on either side of a support, keeping it safely secured and out of the way until needed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Keith Baumbaugh
  • Patent number: 10799044
    Abstract: A system for holding a graphics on a graphics frame includes: a plurality of frame sections being assembled to form the graphics frame; a plurality of connectors configured to connect two vertically-arranged frame sections; wherein one of the frame sections includes two retainers received in two end portions of the frame section, wherein each of the retainers has two sliding channels; wherein each of the connectors includes at least two pairs of the protrusions and a receiving cavity for receiving the graphics; wherein one pair of the protrusions are engaged with the two of the sliding channels on one of the two retainers when the other pair of the protrusions are engaged with the two sliding channels on the other one of the two retainers to connect two vertically-arranged frame sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Lei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10767807
    Abstract: A portable, multi-configuration appliance stand capable of supporting one or more appliances, including but not limited to dryers, lights, and blowers. In embodiments, the appliance stand includes an appliance arm that supports the appliance, where the appliance arm is attached to an arm support via a multi-axial connector that functions as a multi-axial connector joint. In embodiments, the multi-axial connector is capable of translating along at least two axes, as well as rotating. In other embodiments, a locking mechanism secures the multi-axial connector at a fixed configuration between the appliance arm and the arm support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Kulesia, II, Greggory Tuholski
  • Patent number: 10410547
    Abstract: A placard system for use in the transportation industry. The placard system includes a holder including a cavity and a placard fastener mounting hole. The cavity is configured to receive a placard. The placard fastener mounting hole is spaced from an opening of the cavity and defining an axis of rotation. The placard system further includes a placard fastener engaged with the holder and swingable about the axis of rotation between a closed position in which the placard fastener blocks a portion of the opening of the cavity and an open position in which the placard fastener is spaced from the opening of the cavity. The placard fastener includes a planar base portion including a mounting hole, an engagement portion configured to engage the holder or the placard, and an actuation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: J. J. KELLER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Pamela Ann Kopelke, Kevin Roger Kucksdorf, Peter Bettinson
  • Patent number: 10400947
    Abstract: A wall mounting apparatus, which includes a base provided with a plurality of positioning holes; a plurality of wall mounting pieces, each wall mounting piece being detachably connected to one of the plurality of positioning holes. One or more wall racks, each including at least two through holes, and configured to be hanged on the base by way of a corresponding connection of the through hole with the wall mounting piece. Each of the wall racks further includes members for securing the display. Moreover, a display device including such wall mounting apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mancang Fu, Jigang Lv, Huijun Li, Haiyan Wan
  • Patent number: 10029508
    Abstract: A method for thermoforming synthetic paper is provided, more concretely for thermoforming holding strips of synthetic paper, the strips being used to produce sheet-holding devices of a specific configuration. The devices can be used in the assembly of sheet holders such as calendars, white sheet dispensers or information cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: Jose Daniel Vargas-Cervantes, Mabel Guadalupe Diaz-Lopez, Eduardo Diaz-Lopez
  • Patent number: 9861217
    Abstract: A clamp adapted to retain paintings which includes a female piece rotatably connected to a male piece. The proximal end of the female piece includes a sloped locking shoulder which engages a distally extending horizontal flange in the proximal end of the male piece in order to lock the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Luis and Martha Ingels Trust
    Inventor: Luis Ingels
  • Patent number: 9241563
    Abstract: An attachable book holder is disclosed for a piano having a music rest, where the music rest has upper and lower outer surfaces. The attachable book holder comprises an elongate finger element and an attachment means which is connected to the elongate finger element at a connection point. The attachment means is attachable to at least one of the outer surfaces of the music rest at one or more contact regions. The elongate finger element is adjustable between a first orientation in which the finger element extends upwards from the connection point and a second orientation. The attachable book holder can be used on modern pianos which are supplied without book holders as part of the music rest, or alternatively the attachable book holder can be used to replace faulty or missing book holders on older pianos. In the former case there is no need to drill the casing of the book rest to attach the book holder to the music rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KATZKLIP COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Pablo Reuben Katz
  • Patent number: 9104372
    Abstract: In a tablet computer stand for supporting a computer shaped as a tablet on a support surface, at least first and second footprints joined at an angle are provided. At a front end of the first footprint, a receiving surface is provided receiving an end of the tablet to support the tablet on the stand. The footprints are dimensioned and positioned relative to the tablet end receiving surface such that the stand with the tablet thereon is stable when either the first or the second footprint is resting on said support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Berend Frenzel
  • Patent number: 9074722
    Abstract: A portable holder for removable attachment to a shelf is proposed, the portable holder for supporting an electronic device (such as, for example, a tablet, cell phone, e-reader or the like). The portable holder comprises a central support member for supporting the electronic device, a device retaining element coupled to a lower edge of the central support member and an upper attachment means coupled to a top edge of the central support member. The upper end termination is used to removably attach the portable holder to a shelf, and the holder is particularly formed to allow for the viewing angle of the device to be modified, as desired by the user. In one arrangement, the holder can be rotated while attached to the shelf, so as to be located in a preferred direction for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Roderick L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9033300
    Abstract: A support and transport structure for carrying a “painting-in-progress” frame with canvas wherein an artist's painting canvas is stretched over and fastened to the frame, and wherein the structure has a rack having at least one upstanding guide rail which is vertically slotted, wherein clamp means is affixed only to the frame and is isolated from all painted portions of the canvas, and wherein the clamp means has a guide journal structure which slides up or down within the guide slot to maintain the painted surface of the canvas completely isolated from all portions of the rack and clamp means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Malcolm Logan
  • Publication number: 20150115123
    Abstract: A foldable and portable music stand (100) comprising: a music platform (102) for placing a music score and a music book; a pole comprising a main pole (106), a second pole (108), and a third pole (110); a foldable arm; and a support stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Wai Ho NG
  • Patent number: 9016640
    Abstract: A stationary base with at least two door shrouds extending from a tower portion. The tower portion has at least one groove communicating with a groove guide. An actuating housing is attached to the groove guide and connected to at least one force member positioned between the base and the actuating housing. At least one containment door is positioned in a door groove adjacent each door shroud. Each containment door communicates with the actuating housing with at least one guide pin positioned in a guide slot of each containment door, the guide slot being angled at a predetermined angle to translate vertical movement of the actuating housing to horizontal movement of each containment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: RKS Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi K. Sawhney, Kavinder Singh, John Vernon
  • Patent number: 8991781
    Abstract: A display fixture includes a fixed component including a product receiving portion and an elongated spine portion, a first adjustable component insertably engaged with the elongated spine portion and including a product receiving portion and an adjustment portion, a second adjustable component insertably engaged with the elongated spine portion and including a product receiving portion and an adjustment portion, a third adjustable component insertably engaged with the elongated spine portion and including a product receiving portion and an adjustment portion. The first adjustable component operates to slidably adjust a distance between the product receiving portion of the fixed component and the product receiving portion of the first adjustable component, while the second adjustable component and the third adjustable component operate to slidably adjust a distance between the product receiving portion of the second adjustable component and the product receiving portion of the third adjustable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Johnson, Erin L. Zobel
  • Publication number: 20150034792
    Abstract: A painting support system has a painting support board for holding smaller artist's panels or canvases that is colored so the area surrounding the panel or canvas mimics the frame for the finished painting. A reference line grid are scribed on the painting support board more accurately draw and observe straight lines. A continuous loop strip of a hook and loop system placed on all four sides of the support board. A mahl stick with a hook patch of the hook and loop system placed on a tip of the mahl stick allows the artist to attach the mahl stick anywhere on the support board to the loop strip to steady and support the hand while painting. Panel securing clips are placed in receiving fasteners inserted in fastener holes at fixed locations on the painting support board to allow attaching several different sizes of the paint canvases and panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: William P. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20150028175
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a device cradle being configured to removably retain a portable device. The device cradle comprises a u-shaped frame being configured to receive and hold at least three peripheral sides of the portable device. An easel is in engagement with the cradle. The easel comprises lower attachment points configured to engage carrying apparatuses. The easel is further configured to extend upward from a back bottom of the frame. A junction is in engagement with a top of the easel. A hoop structure is in engagement with the junction. The hoop structure is positionable to have a spring-forward tension towards the easel to form a clip in which the clip may engage a structure and the portable device is removably secured to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew K. E. Larson
  • Patent number: 8925890
    Abstract: A height adjustable stand for musical instrument includes a connecting housing including a sleeve secured to the stand, a bifurcation extending out of the sleeve and including a top opening communicating with a slot therein, and two limit surfaces on both sides of the opening respectively; two opposite hooks each pivotably secured to the bifurcation and including a coupling member including a spring receptacle, a lever, an inclined surface adjacent to the receptacle, and a latch, and a curved member extending from the coupling member; a torsion spring biased between the spring receptacles; and a lock pivotably supported in the opening and including a first part, a second part at an angle with respect to the first part, and a protrusion on a bottom of the first part. Pressing of the first part moves the protrusion out of the slot to unlock the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Yuan Terng Liaw
  • Publication number: 20140328020
    Abstract: A security system for securing a component, the security system comprising: a security device securing the component; and a pivot assembly securing the security device to a support, the pivot assembly comprising an alignment mechanism enabling the security device to rotate between at least a first orientation and a second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: COMPUCAGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Steve Galant
  • Publication number: 20140312194
    Abstract: A portable pad. The pad providing a surface having a raised portion to barricade particles disposed thereon. The pad includes a clip configured to hold a document on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: LILIANA L. SEGURA, Victor H. Segura
  • Patent number: 8857773
    Abstract: Adjustable stand assemblies for portable electronic devices are provided, which allow portable electronic devices to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: JTK Enterprises
    Inventors: James T Krohn, Craig B. Stucko
  • Publication number: 20140284444
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and/or positioning two-dimensional objects is described. In some examples, the apparatus is an easel configured to position a canvas in front of a painter in any orientation within three-dimensional space. Such an easel enables a painter working with the canvas to adjust and/or orient the canvas with respect to the painter, such as by rotating the canvas towards or away from the painter, rotating the canvas about itself, translating the canvas vertically, translating the canvas horizontally, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Young, Joseph Park
  • Publication number: 20140239142
    Abstract: In a tablet computer stand for supporting a computer shaped as a tablet on a support surface, at least first and second footprints joined at an angle are provided. At a front end of the first footprint, a receiving surface is provided receiving an end of the tablet to support the tablet on the stand. The footprints are dimensioned and positioned relative to the tablet end receiving surface such that the stand with the tablet thereon is stable when either the first or the second footprint is resting on said support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Berend Frenzel
  • Publication number: 20140091193
    Abstract: A device for holding a book or electronic viewer on a platform in which a clamping mechanism allows mounting to a supporting structure such as a piece of furniture. The clamp includes a V-shaped piece able to be fit to a corner of the furniture piece and securely engage a narrow overhang. A set of stretch cords are provided which each has tips each receivable in one of a field of holes to form loops holding corners of various sized item to the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: David Frederick Simon
  • Publication number: 20140021323
    Abstract: An apparatus that provides an increased user working area and holding surface that clamps a palm-sized electronic interactive device and holds it in an outward facing direction against a larger background surface in a manner that promotes griping within the users palm in a two handed book-like interaction not otherwise achievable with the electronic device alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Danny Wayne Bynum, Christopher Smith, Nicolas Adelchanow
  • Patent number: 8517330
    Abstract: An ergonomic clipboard that can be easily grasped by persons of various body shapes and sizes. Preferably, the ergonomic clipboard comprises a writing board including a surface having a clamp attached to it, a top edge, a first side edge sharing a first corner with said top edge and having two recesses, each of which recesses being configured to engage with the crook of an arm of a user, a second side edge sharing a second corner with said top edge and that is opposite said first side edge, said second side edge having a protrusion and an adjacent notch that are configured to be graspable by the fingers of the same arm of the user, and a bottom edge sharing a third corner with said first side edge and a fourth corner with said second side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Jared L. Joyce
  • Patent number: 8485490
    Abstract: A holding device used to temporarily hold a container of popcorn in an upright position using a nearby beverage cup holder. The holding device includes a planar main body with a forward extending, transversely aligned curb with a planar receiving space formed below the curb. Formed on the receiving space is a line of raised teeth separated by indentations and at least one spike. Mounted on the main body is a biased, pivoting clip with a lower serrated edge that forcibly presses into the indentations formed between the raised teeth on the receiving space. Located on the rear surface of the main body is a downward extending beverage cup edge engaging structure. Attached to the main body or the cup edge engaging structure is a handle. During use, the serrated edge on the clip is forced against the edge of the popcorn container to prevent its dislodgement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Denton Miller
  • Patent number: 8469325
    Abstract: A musical instrument stand includes a clamping unit and a support unit connected with the clamping unit. The support unit includes a base frame and a connecting module. The connecting module includes a connecting portion and a spherical universal connector. The clamping unit includes a clamp assembly, a spherical mounting seat, and a positioning nut. The mounting seat has an external thread onto which the positioning nut is screwed onto and has a periphery provided with at least two elongate slits. Thus, the mounting seat of the clamping unit is pivotally connected with the universal connector of the support unit so that the support unit can be pivoted relative to the clamping unit so as to adjust the angle of the support unit freely and variably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Tsung-Yao Yu
  • Publication number: 20130134283
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover panel for keeping a display panel diagonally. A cover panel is employed by an information-indicating means, for example a paper folder, a paper binder, a book with a hard cover and an electronic display. The cover panel is connected to a display panel with a main joint portion. The cover panel is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a sub joint portion. When cover panel is opened, the swung lower portion extends on a desk top. In another case, the lower portion and the sub joint portion is abbreviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Shouichi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130134284
    Abstract: A grasping assembly, for grasping an electronic device, includes a fixing seat, a first grasping member securely mounted on the fixing seat, a second grasping member, and at least one elastic member mounted on the second grasping member. A resisting portion is formed on the fixing seat toward the first grasping member. The second grasping member is slidably mounted between the fixing seat and the first grasping member. A grasping portion is formed on a free end of the second grasping member away from the fixing seat. When the second grasping member slides along the fixing seat away from the first grasping member, the at least one elastic member is resisted by the resisting portion and is deformed to generate an elastic force for moving the grasping portion toward the first grasping member for grasping the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: WU-ZHU HU, WU-QI LI, JIN-XIN WANG, TANG LI
  • Publication number: 20130105659
    Abstract: Some embodiments generally relate to portable easel devices for supporting and/or displaying objects such as canvas, other paintable substrates, or even sheet music. Embodiments may include one or more collapsible elements rendering the device readily storable and/or easier to carry or transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Panno, JR.
  • Patent number: 8413943
    Abstract: A securing device for a tablet device has a main seat, two positioning rods, two first resilient elements, two driving sliders, two sets of holding legs and a lock. The holding legs hold the tablet device. When the lock is locked, the lock is unable to detach from the main seat, and the positioning rods, the driving sliders and the holding legs are unable to move. Consequently, the securing device is unable to detach from the tablet device. Thus, as a cable of the lock is looped around a post, the tablet device is secured at a specific position and is not stolen easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ABA UFO International Corp.
    Inventor: Chi-Yuan Li
  • Publication number: 20120305735
    Abstract: A device stand for mobile devices is disclosed herein. The device stand includes a planar body having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a hinge; and a stand coupled to the hinge to pivot around the hinge. The second side includes a surface configured to conform to a mobile device, and an adhesive layer coupled to the second side of the planar body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SCOSCHE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Michael McSweyn
  • Patent number: 8308121
    Abstract: A portable multiple form organizer comprises a writing panel capable of supporting and securing multiple sheets of paper in a side-by-side format. A plurality of clips is spaced across a long edge of a front surface of the writing panel with suitable space between to fit a standard full sheet of paper. A mounting mechanism comprising a plurality of hooks permanently affixed to a rear surface of the writing panel allows the organizer to suspend from a support surface. A pair of arms attached to a bottom rear surface of the writing panel provides a standoff for the writing panel away from the vertical support surface, such that the writing panel is not perpendicular to the ground allowing a user to comfortably use the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas J. Poplawski
  • Patent number: 8261473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sign carrier apparatus specifically designed to be inserted into a vehicle hitch assembly to transport signs. Alternatively, the present invention provides for a free standinged receiver hitch, or free standing receiver hitch for storing the sign carrier apparatus when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Joshua A. Bey, Sarah R. Bey
  • Patent number: 8256734
    Abstract: The support apparatus includes a base, a pair of supporting arms, and a locking element. The base defines at least one engaging projection on a top thereof. Each supporting arm includes a body having a first curved end and a second curved end extending from the two opposite ends thereof. The first curved end is connected to the base and the second curved end is positioned in the locking element. The locking element defines a rail, and two curved protruding blocks extend from the two opposite ends of the rail. When the at least one engaging projection is engaged with a side of an external device, the supporting arms rotate relative to the base and the locking element sits on top of the external device, and the rail and the protruding blocks holds another side of the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Szu Chen
  • Patent number: 8196325
    Abstract: A thin, graphic support assembly comprising an elongated base rail and an elongated cover rail which come together around a board to form four sides of a frame. A spring mechanism is fully captured after the base rail and cover rail are assembled together, and the angle and position of the spring channel allows the hinge location to be at the top/outer edge of the frame. The elongated base rail and elongated cover rail can be oriented in a parallel relationship when closed for capturing a display panel or a perpendicular relationship when open for inserting or removing a display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Rose Displays, Ltd
    Inventors: David E. Pitcher, Thomas P. Burrous, Rebecca C. Suciu, Paul P. Ellsworth, Alan L. Stenfors, Sidney Rose
  • Patent number: 8162281
    Abstract: A folding presentation pad easel, particularly suited for a classroom or teaching environment, utilizes a support spine and a leg element with additional legs to form a rigid triangular base, a supporting column, and a telescopic support, with pivotal supports therebetween. Superior stability is provided as well as a minimum required floor space to the rear of the easel, a feature which is particularly desirable in a classroom. When the easel is folded it has a set of wheels and a handle in which can be used for mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: C. Robert Logue
  • Publication number: 20120091307
    Abstract: A flexible stand for an electronic reading device allows hands-free support with infinitely adjustable positioning in three dimensions plus an additional degree of pivot-ability. Using flexible tubing (gooseneck tubing) of two of more degrees of flexibility allows a stiffer portion to act as a stable but grossly repositionable base. In a complementary fashion, a more flexible portion proximal to the supported reading device allows for ready fine positioning. In addition a pivot joint provides for altering the plane of the viewing screen in an additional freedom of movement not easily provided by the flexible tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Debra Haynes
  • Patent number: 8104733
    Abstract: A collapsible book rest is formed of panels that are variously interconnected by means chosen from hinges, tracks, slots, ledges, and the like that allow the panels to be deployed to form a first, supporting structure. The panels include a rear panel, front panel, top panel, bottom panel, left panel and right panel. A slidable stabilizer panel is extendable and retractable from the bottom panel. The front and bottom panels of the supporting structure define a recess that accommodates an individual's abdominal shape, and the slide stabilizer defines a similarly shaped front edge. The book rest is collapsed by variously disconnecting and folding over the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Adrienne Skolnik
  • Patent number: 8079165
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a portable shopping aid used to mount a shopping list, coupons, or other documents. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the aid is configured to sacrifice a writing surface in favor of portability, by providing a small body that may be easily inserted into a pocket or handbag. The body includes a clamp for mounting the aid onto a push bar of a shopping cart, for hands free viewing during shopping, as well as a document clip mechanism that clips documents by their ends closest to the push bar. In order to provide structural rigidity to retained documents, and notwithstanding the absence of a writing surface or clipboard, the clip mechanism is configured to crease documents. The shopping aid also includes feet for standing the aid upright, on a flat surface, and means for mounting the aid magnetically on a refrigerator wall, in all cases such that retained documents are presented in a convenient reading orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Buerchner, Christopher N. Pericles, Michael J. Strasser, William G. Tannen
  • Patent number: 8020829
    Abstract: The media player holder apparatus is easily, adjustably, and removably clamped onto an existing object. The clamp provides for adjustable gap without full separation of the two clamp halves. A stalk connects the clamp to a ball joint with selectively retained positioning via the clamp screw. The telescopic arm connected to the ball joint provides distance selectivity of the upper ball joint from the ball joint. The frictionally positioned upper ball joint positions the platform. The removable tray is positioned atop the platform with the multi-plane adjustment providing optimal positioning of a media player. The tray is hingedly lidded and further comprises a frictional surface within, with half straps for retaining a media player or other such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Nelson Tamayori
  • Patent number: 7967269
    Abstract: A roller type adjustable screen fixing apparatus includes: a fixing base, having at least one operating slot; at least one distal plate device disposed at an external side of the distal plate, having at least two distal plates embedded in the operating slot, and slidably moving in the operating slot, and a frame plate disposed at an external side of the distal plate; at least one linking device, having at least one roller installed in the operating slot and linked with the distal plate; and a containing space, defined by the upper frame plates of the corresponding distal plates for installing a screen. The distal plate is contractible in the operating slot for adjusting the containing space, such that the invention can fit screens of different sizes, and provide a convenient replacement and a dynamic adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Portwell, Inc.
    Inventor: Kun-Pei Liu
  • Patent number: 7959124
    Abstract: The invention provides a reading stand. The reading stand may include a base including a base member case. Further, the reading stand may include a reading lid disposed upon the base member case, the reading lid including a reading platform having a front side and a backside; and at least one page holder adjustably mounted on the reading platform so as to assist in retaining a document on the front side of the reading platform. Further, a support member is provided. The support member extends from the backside of the reading platform, and is adapted to engage with the base so as to support the reading lid upon the base. For example, the support member may be in the form of a side support clip that substantially vertically supports the reading lid upon the base for side reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Phifer Incorporated
    Inventors: Beverly C. Phifer, M. Scott Clark, Thomas G. Grammer
  • Publication number: 20110073740
    Abstract: Holder consists of a base connected to fences at each end. Legs, one at each side of the base, are attached to the base at the movable fence end. Deploying legs positions the base in an acceptable book reading angle with the movable fence upward. Books, hard or soft cover, are held in place on the base by the inside edges of page tab assemblies which are spring loaded to the fences through elongated slots. Tabs are adjusted to hold down pages of a book by moving them perpendicularity and/or side to side over each side of an opened book's pages. Further tab adjustments needed to obtain a clear field of reading vision is obtain by rotating the tab page retainers. Page turning is accomplished without further adjustment or movement of the tab assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Leon Leduc
  • Publication number: 20110057088
    Abstract: The invention is directed multipurpose support device for supporting an item such as a laptop computer or a book. The support device has a base that is adapted to be coupled to a structural support, such as a mobile cart, a desk, a sofa or a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Shih-Hsiang Hsu, Eric C. Luo